Meet the Contenders: 2025 Belmont Stakes
June 3rd, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Hill Road swept from well off the pace in the Peter Pan (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#1 Hill Road ***
Pro: Along in time to win Peter Pan (G3) and should be even better stretching out an extra furlong.
Con: Needs not only a strong pace but also a few of the top players to have an off day.
Hill Road returns to the winner's circle in the G3 Peter Pan at Aqueduct under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown! 💪 pic.twitter.com/10e63EZrRv
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 10, 2025
Sovereignty wins the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#2 Sovereignty *****
Pro: Kentucky Derby winner handles all conditions, and a five-week freshening is a plus.
Con: Pace might not be as strong as in Derby, which might hinder chances.
Rodriguez wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#3 Rodriguez ***
Pro: Classier than other speed and might prove tough to catch if he can sneak away.
Con: Missed earlier classics due to foot issues; two-month layoff is a concern.
Rodriguez ships to New York and goes gate-to-wire in the Wood Memorial, picking up 100 Kentucky Derby points! 🌹
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 5, 2025
Bob Baffert trains and Mike Smith was in the irons. pic.twitter.com/D1k2GG3zxR
Uncaged (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#4 Uncaged *
Pro: Based on his record so far, chances improve if the track comes up wet.
Con: Flattened out quickly in Peter Pan and doesn’t appear to be of this class yet.
Crudo wins the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico (Horsephotots.com)
#5 Crudo *
Pro: Dominant in the last two, including restricted Sir Barton S. at Pimlico.
Con: Doesn’t appear to be more than a potential pace factor on paper.
Beaza wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#6 Baeza ****
Pro: Narrowly missed second in the Kentucky Derby and remains with a lot of upside.
Con: Hasn’t yet outfinished the other three main contenders.
Crudo was much the best here to break his maiden at second asking in R2 at Keeneland! 🎓
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 19, 2025
Todd Pletcher trains and @ljlmvel was aboard.
🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/VBYxM8Y8G5
Journalism wins the 2025 Preakness Stakes
#7 Journalism *****
Pro: Bravely won Preakness (G1) despite adversity; near or at the top of this crop.
Con: Not as fresh as Sovereignty, the only horse to beat him since his debut.
JOURNALISM WINS THE PREAKNESS! 🏆🌻
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 17, 2025
pic.twitter.com/sfi7uXdUkY
Heart of Honor at Meydan (Photo by Dubai Racing Club)
#8 Heart of Honor *
Pro: A consistent one-two finisher before his first exposure to U.S. racing.
Con: Midpack finish in Preakness probably his proper spot in pecking order.
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!
