2025 Belmont Stakes horses: trainers, jockeys, owners competing in the race

The Belmont Stakes field of 8 includes the Kentucky Derby winner (Sovereignty) and Preakness winner (Journalism) attempting to deny each other a second Triple Crown race victory.

Take note of these three trainer facts to help guide your betting action:

• Most accomplished trainers in the field are Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher with multiple Belmont wins
• Jockeys with historical success in the field are John Velazquez, Mike Smith with multiple Belmont wins
• Owner to note in the field is Godolphin with their previous Belmont success

Top Selection based on connections: SOVEREIGNTY (7-2) - Right combination of proven Triple Crown race connections, tactical speed, and classic stamina for the demanding 1 1/4 miles.

• #1 HILL ROAD (10-1):  
  • Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. (Multiple Belmont Stakes rides)
  • Trainer: Chad Brown (Seeking first Belmont Stakes win)
  • Owner: Amo Racing USA (First Belmont Stakes starter)
  • While trainer Chad Brown is still seeking his first Belmont win, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. knows how to win this race (2016 Creator). The Peter Pan winner gets a crafty rider but may be up against it class-wise.
     
• #2 SOVEREIGNTY (2-1): 
  • Jockey: Junior Alvarado (Seeking first Belmont win)
  • Trainer: Bill Mott (Hall of Famer, seeking first Belmont win)
  • Owner: Godolphin (Has won Belmont Stakes previously)
  • Kentucky Derby winner represents powerhouse Godolphin operation (2006 Belmont winner) and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Junior Alvarado stays loyal after Derby score. Major player with right running style.
     
• #3 RODRIGUEZ (6-1): 
  • Jockey: Mike Smith (Hall of Famer, multiple Belmont wins)
  • Trainer: Bob Baffert (Multiple Belmont wins including with Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify)
  • Owner: SF Racing LLC et al (Partnership has had previous Belmont starters)
  • Most accomplished connections in field with Baffert (3 Belmont wins) and Mike Smith (3 Belmont wins) teaming up. Fresh having skipped Preakness and training well. Dangerous with tactical speed.
     
• #4 UNCAGED (30-1): 
  • Jockey: Luis Saez (Seeking first Belmont win)
  • Trainer: Todd Pletcher (Multiple Belmont Stakes wins)
  • Owners: WinStar Farm & Repole Stable (Both have won Belmont previously)
  • Deep closer gets elite connections with 3-time Belmont winner Todd Pletcher and proven big-race rider Saez. WinStar/Repole ownership both have Belmont trophies but this one seems overmatched.
     
• #5 CRUDO (15-1): 
  • Jockey: John Velazquez (Hall of Famer, multiple Belmont wins)
  • Trainer: Todd Pletcher (Second starter in race)
  • Owners: Bobby Flay & James Ventura (Flay has had previous Belmont starters)
  • Second Pletcher trainee gets Hall of Fame rider Johnny V (2 Belmont wins). Celebrity chef Bobby Flay's colt would be a huge upset despite top connections.
     
• #6 BAEZA (4-1): 
  • Jockey: Flavien Prat (Seeking first Belmont win)
  • Trainer: John Shirreffs (Trained Belmont starter Zenyatta)
  • Owner: C R K Stable & Grandview Equine
  • Respected trainer Shirreffs still seeking first Belmont win but gets red-hot Prat aboard. Strong recent form makes him major threat despite connections lacking Belmont success.
     
• #7 JOURNALISM (8-5): 
  • Jockey: Umberto Rispoli (First Belmont Stakes mount)
  • Trainer: Michael McCarthy (Seeking first Belmont win)
  • Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners et al (Partnership includes previous Belmont winners)
  • Preakness winner is the one to beat but interesting that connections (McCarthy/Rispoli) are all Belmont first-timers. Still looks formidable as likely favorite.
     
• #8 HEART OF HONOR (30-1): 
  • Jockey: Saffie Osborne (First Belmont Stakes mount)
  • Trainer: Jamie Osborne (First Belmont Stakes starter)
  • Owner: Jim And Claire Limited (First Belmont Stakes starter)
  • European invader has all Belmont Stakes first-timers in owner/trainer/jockey roles. Would be a massive surprise.