2025 Belmont Stakes winner: Sovereignty (5-2) wins 157th Belmont

In a stretch run reminiscent of the Kentucky Derby (G1), Godolphin’s homebred Sovereignty overhauled favored Journalism to prevail in Saturday’s $2 million Belmont (G1) at Saratoga. Not only did they reprise their exacta from Churchill Downs, but Baeza finished third to replicate the Derby trifecta as well.

The Kentucky Derby rematch was the main storyline going into the third jewel of the Triple Crown. While Sovereignty had not raced since the Derby, Journalism won the Preakness (G1) in dramatic fashion, fueling the head-to-head debate. 

A sloppy track earlier Saturday implied that the Belmont might be contested in the same conditions as the Derby. But better weather set the stage for upgrades over the course of the day, and a fast track was announced by post time. According to the official chart, however, the track was rated good. 

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty broke from post 2 and lay closer to the pace than he did at Churchill. Journalism, the 2-1 favorite, also secured position within striking range wider out.

Meanwhile, front-running Rodriguez posted fractions of :23.42, :47.60, and 1:12.20. Journalism was the first to pounce turning for home, and he tried to establish an insurmountable lead.

But Sovereignty kicked into top gear and swept past Journalism en route to a three-length victory. Doubling his margin from the Derby, the son of leading sire Into Mischief clocked 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.69 and returned $7.

Journalism likewise was a far clearer second, with 3 1/2 lengths to spare. Baeza rallied belatedly to overtake Rodriguez for third. Hill Road checked in fifth, followed by British shipper Heart of Honor, Uncaged, and Crudo.

Sovereignty is the second Belmont winner for Godolphin, after champion Essential Quality (2021), and for Mott, whose first was Drosselmeyer (2010). 

Sovereignty’s Derby-Belmont double establishes his case for a divisional Eclipse Award. His 7-4-2-0 record includes victories in last fall’s Street Sense (G3) and the Fountain of Youth (G2), as well as a runner-up effort in the Florida Derby (G1).

Sovereignty is out of the Bernardini mare Crowned, whose own dam, Grade 1-winning millionaire Mushka, is by 2003 Belmont star Empire Maker. This is the extended family of Belmont winners Bold Forbes (1976), Coastal (1979), Creme Fraiche (1985), and Bet Twice (1987).