Betting the 2025 Belmont Stakes on Different Budgets

The third leg of the Triple Crown series has attracted a fantastic field of eight three-year-olds to run 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga on Saturday. The $2 million Belmont S. (G1) will be contested in upstate New York for the second year in succession and will feature Kentucky Derby (G1) star #2 Sovereignty (2-1), impressive Preakness (G1) S. hero #7 Journalism (8-5) who was second in Louisville, and #6 Baeza (4-1) who was a closing third in the Run for the Roses. For the first time since 2013, each of the top-three Derby finishers will compete in the race, making the spectacle even that much more exciting. 

$25 Budget

• 50-cent superfecta 2 with 1,6,7 with 1,6,7 with all ($15)
• 50-cent superfecta 2,7 with 2,7 with 1,6 with all ($10)

$50 Budget

• $20 trifecta 2 with 7 with 1,6 ($40)
• $5 trifecta 2 with 1,6 with 7 ($10)

$75 Budget

• $5 superfecta 2 with 1,6,7 with 1,6,7 with 1,6,7,8 ($60)
• 50-cent superfecta 7 with 1,2,6 with 1,2,6 with all ($15)

I’m on the Sovereignty bandwagon and feel that we haven’t seen the best of the Bill Mott trainee as of yet. The Godolphin homebred has been handled with perfection this campaign by his Hall-of-Fame conditioner, and I feel that he has more to offer going forward. The Into Mischief colt will save ground from a good post early, prior to moving to the fore in the lane with Junior Alvarado riding. 

Journalism showed his athleticism and class to stage a desperate rally in the stretch at Pimlico last time out for Michael McCarthy. The Curlin colt is obviously among the best horses in this crop, and he will be as fit as any runner in the group while making his third run in five weeks on Saturday. With a post slot near the outside, Journalism should finally enjoy a clear voyage after being in traffic at some stage of his last three straight assignments. His best might be enough under Rispoli.

Baeza, a half-brother to defending champ Dornoch, has given up substantial ground in his last pair of efforts and wouldn’t be a major surprise to me with a more advantageous trip. The John Shirreffs trainee is clearly heavily talented, and the distance is within his scope, so if he can avoid being wide the entire way, then his chances will improve with Flavien Prat retaining the mount. 

I wouldn’t be floored to see #1 Hill Road (10-1) take a leap and put in a career-best effort under Irad. The Chad Brown charge will appreciate the added ground. He will save ground on the fence, and I think that a few of his contenders will be tiring in the closing stages of the race, as well. He is the key to finding value, in my opinion. 

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!