The rematch is on for Belmont Stakes 157 at Saratoga. Eight runners entered the final jewel of the Triple Crown, led by Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and his budding rival Journalism, second in Louisville before a heroic victory in the Preakness Stakes. The two power players landed in posts 2 and 7, respectively. NYRA track oddsmaker David Aragona installed them the two favorites in the morning line at 8-5 for Journalism and 2-1 for Sovereignty.
Horseplayers betting Friday and Saturday’s Saratoga cards with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can take advantage of the $20,000 Belmont Weekend Exacta-Thon over two days. And for more handicapping insights, access the free 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide.
Saturday will mark the ninth rubber-match between Derby and Preakness winners in the final jewel of the Triple Crown since 1990 – and second straight after an 11-year prior drought. Last year, both Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey failed to hit the Belmont board after their initial series victories. One other 2025 Kentucky Derby carryover in the race will be Baeza (post 6), third in Louisville and freshened with a trip back to his California base in the interim.
With a long run through the stretch the first time before the clubhouse turn and just a field size of 8, post positions should not have a major impact on the Belmont Stakes outcome. The race’s early pace figures to come from Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez (post 3) and Sir Barton winner Crudo (post 5). Those two drawn in close proximity should make for an easy follow of the expected front-runners. Sovereignty should tuck in from near the back from post 2 and save ground until called up on the far turn. Journalism has done his best running outside of foes and should appreciate being in post 7 of 8.
Saturday’s Belmont Stakes Day program gets underway at 10:45 am ET and includes undercard stakes like the Grade 1 Jaipur, Woody Stephens, Metropolitan Handicap and Manhattan Stakes. Advance wagering will be available at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet on the full Saturday card beginning on Friday.
Belmont Stakes 157 | Saratoga | Saturday, June 7, 2025 | Race 13 | 7:04 pm ET
1-Hill Road (Chad Brown / Irad Ortiz Jr.) 10-1
2-Sovereignty (Bill Mott / Junior Alvardo) 2-1
3-Rodriguez (Bob Baffert / Mike Smith) 6-1
4-Uncaged (Todd Pletcher / Luis Saez) 30-1
5-Crudo (Todd Pletcher / John Velazquez) 15-1
6-Baeza (John Shirreffs / Flavien Prat) 4-1
7-Journalism (Michael McCarthy / Umberto Rispoli) 8-5
8-Heart of Honor (Jamie Osborne / Saffie Osborne) 30-1
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