Tipsheet: 2025 Belmont Stakes Best Bets & Exotic Wagers

An excellent field of eight sophomores will travel 1 1/4 miles over the Saratoga dirt in Saturday’s historic $2 million Belmont S. (G1).

Belmont Stakes Picks

• #2 Sovereignty
• #7 Journalism
• #6 Baeza
• #1 Hill Road

Belmont Stakes Wagers

• $20 exacta 2 with 6,7
• $1 superfecta 2 with 1,6,7 with 1,6,7 with all

Belmont Stakes Contenders

#1 HILL ROAD (10-1): Peter Pan S. (G3) winner will make his third run of the season and first at 1 1/4 miles for conditioner Chad Brown. Quality Road colt has displayed a fine turn of foot in each of his races since arriving in the U. S. and could secure a placing with a well-timed ride under Irad. 

#2 SOVEREIGNTY (2-1): Kentucky Derby (G1) star skipped the middle leg of the Triple Crown to prepare for this one, and he gets the nod for conditioner Bill Mott. The Godolphin homebred has reportedly trained in great fashion in advance of the Belmont, and he did run fairly well in his lone local appearance at this venue, as well. Junior Alvarado has the assignment. 

#3 RODRIGUEZ (6-1): Baffert trainee was last seen taking the Wood Memorial S. (G1) at Aqueduct, and he is the potential controlling speed of the cast. The dark bay son of Authentic will need a step forward to challenge the top trio in the field, but he comes in fresh and might get brave late if left alone early with Mike Smith in the silks. 

#4 UNCAGED (30-1): The outsider in the field was a non-factor in the recent Peter Pan and would be a massive surprise in this stout field with Luis Saez in the irons. 

#5 CRUDO (15-1): Improving sort from the Pletcher shedrow led throughout in a facile score in the Sir Barton S. at Pimlico in his most recent effort. The Justify colt is bred to run long and looks like an outstanding prospect, but he will need a big leap forward to upset this group beneath John Velazquez. 

#6 BAEZA (4-1): Well-bred son of McKinzie was a fast-closing third in the Run for the Roses in his most recent endeavor and rates a logical chance with another move forward on Saturday. John Shirreffs' pupil is a half-brother to the winner of the race last campaign, and he figures to get first run on the late runners turning for home under Flavien Prat. 

#7 JOURNALISM (8-5): Derby runner-up overcame major traffic at Pimlico last time out and will go postward as the one to beat in his third classic try of the season. The gallant Preakness S. (G1) victor draws well to potentially avoid the traffic he has endured in three straight races, and his best could easily be good enough with Umberto Rispoli in the silks. 

#8 HEART OF HONOR (30-1): UAE Derby (G2) runner-up looked hopeless in the Preakness after a slow break but put in a commendable late run to finish fifth in his stateside debut for trainer Jamie Osborne. The Honor A. P. colt will be doing his best work in the lane with Saffie Osborne in the stirrups. 

Join us on June 7 for a rematch that will shake the stands. Many top Kentucky Derby contenders return for the Belmont S. (G1) to fight for the finish, including probable contender Journalism, winner of Preakness 150, and Sovereignty, winner of Derby 151. Who will stand in the winner's circle for Belmont?

Stay with us throughout Belmont Day during stakes races as we bring you the latest horse racing news, live odds, expert picks, and more. It is sure to be an exciting day of racing!

Also, come chat with our expert panel regarding Friday and Saturday racing during Saratoga's Friday card, including the Acorn Stakes!