The 2025 Belmont Stakes will once again be held at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 7 as the Triple Crown trail comes to a close.
Just as it was last year, the 157th "The Test of the Champion" will be contested at 1 1/4-miles on dirt rather than the traditional 1 1/2-mile trip due to track configuration. The Belmont Stakes odds have gone live following the post position draw, with Journalism (8-5) favored over Sovereignty (2-1).
Below are the bios for all eight 2025 Belmont Stakes horses.
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2025 Belmont Stakes horses
The Belmont Stakes post positions were determined by random draw on June 2, with eight horses entering. Check out our 2025 Belmont Stakes horse profiles below:
Who is running in the 2025 Belmont Stakes?
No. 7 Journalism (8-5) bounced back from only his second career defeat in the Kentucky Derby by taking the Preakness Stakes despite a rough trip. Can the Santa Anita Derby champ still fire his best shot in his third race in five weeks, and can he turn the tables on a fresher rival in Derby winner Sovereignty while doing it?
- Trainer: Michael McCarthy
- Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
- Earnings: $2,838,880
No. 2 Sovereignty (2-1) has been no worse than second with three wins across his last five starts, including, of course, the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He did not scare off Derby runner-up Journalism, though, and Derby third-place finisher Baeza is also making the trip to Saratoga.
- Trainer: Bill Mott
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Earnings: $3,529,520
No. 1 Hill Road (10-1) will try to do what Arcangelo did two years ago and parlay a Peter Pan Stakes win into a Belmont Stakes triumph. The deep closer loses Flavien Prat but picks up Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Trainer: Chad Brown
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Earnings: $336,496
No. 3 Rodriguez (6-1) was an unfortunate scratch from the Kentucky Derby due to a foot injury. The Wood Memorial winner will try to give trainer Bob Baffert his fourth Belmont victory.
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Mike Smith
- Earnings: $522,800
No. 6 Baeza (4-1) drew into the Kentucky Derby off the also-eligible list and ran big to be third after chasing Journalism home in the Santa Anita Derby.
- Trainer: John Shirreffs
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Earnings: $648,500
No. 5 Crudo (15-1) is a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, and he crushed the competition in the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico last month.
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Earnings: $130,148
No. 8 Heart of Honor (30-1) was a non-threatening fifth in the Preakness Stakes in his stateside debut. He was second in the UAE Derby two-back behind Admire Daytona, who was last in the "Run for the Roses."
- Trainer: Jamie Osborne
- Jockey: Saffie Osborne
- Earnings: $400,919
No. 4 Uncaged (30-1) figures to be a long shot after running a disappointing sixth in the Peter Pan, but he still demands some respect being trained by Todd Pletcher, who has won this race four times.
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Earnings: $105,450
2025 Belmont Stakes field and post positions
| Post | Cloth # | Horse | Trainer/Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Hill Road | Chad Brown / Irad Ortiz Jr. | 10/1 |
| 2 | 2 | Sovereignty | Bill Mott / Junior Alvarado | 2/1 |
| 3 | 3 | Rodriguez | Bob Baffert / Mike Smith | 6/1 |
| 4 | 4 | Uncaged | Todd Pletcher / Luis Saez | 30/1 |
| 5 | 5 | Crudo | Todd Pletcher / John Velazquez | 15/1 |
| 6 | 6 | Baeza | John Shirreffs / Flavien Prat | 4/1 |
| 7 | 7 | Journalism | Michael McCarthy / Umberto Rispoli | 8/5 |
| 8 | 8 | Heart of Honor | Jamie Osborne / Saffie Osborne | 30/1 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Racing.
How horses qualify for the Belmont Stakes
Qualifying for the Belmont Stakes is a little different from making the grade for the previous two Triple Crown races but still requires a thoroughbred horse to be three years old. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds while fillies tote 121 pounds.
Belmont Stakes prep races
Horses who finished Top 3 in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes are given automatic spots in the Belmont, if they choose to run. Beyond that, every horse wishing to run must be Triple Crown nominated and pay a series of entry fees. As many as 14 horses can be in the Belmont Stakes field.
Triple Crown Horses
The Belmont Stakes is known as “The Test of the Champion” because it is the final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, and typically the longest of the three events at 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs). However, the 2025 season does not have a Triple Crown contender entering the Belmont, and the race will be run at 1 1/4-miles this year.
Types of Belmont Stakes horses
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred horses are known for their long athletic builds and speed, making them ideal for racing. They’re sleeker and lighter than other breeds, which is ideal for the length of the Belmont Stakes.
Age of horses
The Belmont Stakes is limited to three-year-old horses. This age of horse is ideal for racing as they have yet to fully mature and have limited races on their resume, leaving an aura of mystery, but still post fast times and exciting finishes.
