The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Belmont weekend, June 6-7

June 6th, 2025

The TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Ashley Anderson, and Darin Zoccali defend their best bets and fades for Belmont Stakes weekend at Saratoga.

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival kicked off on Wednesday at Saratoga and will run through Sunday, June 8 in Upstate, New York. The highlight of the stakes-loaded weekend is the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont S. (G1), set to go off in Race 13, with a 7:04 p.m. ET post time, on Saturday's 14-race program.

The top three from the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) — Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baeza, respectively — will get a rematch in the 1 1/4-mile test, shortened from the 1 1/2-mile distance typically contested at Belmont Park.

Preakness (G1) hero Journalism is the 8-5 morning-line favorite among the field of eight, followed by Godolphin homebred Sovereignty, at 2-1, and graded stakes-placed Baeza, at 4-1. Others in the field include Peter Pan (G3) victor #1 Hill Road (10-1), Wood Memorial (G2) winner #3 Rodriguez (6-1), European-based #8 Heart of Honor (30-1), and a pair from Todd Pletcher's barn — #4 Uncaged (30-1) and #5 Crudo (20-1).

Saturday's card will also present seven other graded stakes. Likewise, Friday's card will offer 14 races, six of them graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Acorn, where Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Good Cheer will look to keep her perfect record intact.

You can watch and wager on Belmont Stakes weekend at TwinSpires, and be sure to opt in to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival $10 Money Back offer to get up to $10 back on your first win bet if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd in all eligible races at Saratoga for Belmont weekend Friday through Sunday.


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!