• Belmont Stakes
• Horse Racing

Belmont Stakes 2025 Preview: Contenders, Betting Odds & Expert Picks

The 2025 Belmont Stakes odds are your final chance to wager on a Triple Crown Series race this season. Sovereignty and Journalism, the winners of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, respectively, will square off once more.

Our free Belmont Stakes betting guide will break down the latest odds from top horse racing betting sites. I will tell you the current odds, highlight the top contenders, and give my predictions for the 2025 Belmont Stakes.

2025 Belmont Stakes Odds

See the table below for the latest 2025 Belmont Stakes odds, courtesy of Bovada.

Horse	Odds to Win the Belmont Stakes
Journalism	+150
Sovereignty	+150
Baeza	+600
Rodriguez	+700
Hill Road	+2000
Heart of Honor	+6000
Grande	+8000
Captain Cook	+10000
Crudo	+10000

Sovereignty stole the Kentucky Derby from Journalism with a late surge in the Run for the Roses. The Derby winner skipped the Preakness, allowing Journalism to win the second gem of the Triple Crown.

Now, Journalism and Sovereignty are tied for the best odds to win the Belmont Stakes at +150 each. Baeza and Rodriguez round out the top four at +600 and +700, respectively.

The odds fade quickly after the top four. Hill Road has the fifth-best odds at +2000, followed by Heart of Honor (+6000) and Grande (+8000). Captain Cook and Crudo are tied for the longest odds at +10000 each.

Check out our Bovada review to learn more about this top-notch racebook.

Top 2025 Belmont Contenders

The final race of the Triple Crown 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, June 7th, at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Let’s take a closer look at the four leading favorites to win this year’s Belmont Stakes, according to top sports betting sites.

Journalism (+150)

• Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy
• Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Journalism was a heavy favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. After running in the middle of the pack early, Journalism sprinted out to a late lead. Unfortunately, he could not hold it and was passed by Sovereignty in the final stretch.

After losing the Derby, Journalism competed again at the Preakness Stakes. He was favored again, and, after a tight battle down the stretch with Gosger, Journalism pulled out the win.

Now, Journalism has a chance to go head-to-head once again with Sovereignty.

A previous Triple Crown win is not the only reason to believe in Journalism. He also has a fantastic pedigree.

His sire, Curlin, finished third at the Derby before winning the Preakness and finishing second at Belmont. Journalism’s mare, Mopotism, was sired by Uncle Mo, a champion who won multiple stakes, including the 2011 Forty Niner (G2), the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and the 2010 Champagne Stakes (G1). 

Sovereignty (+150)

• Trainer: William I. Mott
• Jockey: Junior Alvarado

The other co-favorite for this year’s Belmont Stakes is Sovereignty. After winning the 2025 Kentucky Derby, his owners opted not to have Sovereignty race in the Preakness.

Missing out on the chance to win all three gems of the Triple Crown was disappointing. However, it also gave Sovereignty a chance to rest and recover ahead of Belmont. The extra rest could prove vital in The Test of the Champions.

Sovereignty’s late race speed led him to victory in the Run for the Roses. Like Journalism, Sovereignty has plenty of champions in his family tree.

His sire, Into Mischief, won the 2007 CashCall Futurity (G1). Sovereignty’s mare, Crowned, was sired by 2006 Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini. Bernardini also won the 2006 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and the 2006 Travers Stakes (G1).

Baeza (+600)

• Trainer: John A. Shirreffs
• Jockey: Flavien Prat

Baeza finished third at the 2025 Kentucky Derby and did not take the field at the Preakness Stakes. He is listed at 6-1 odds to win the Belmont in his return to Triple Crown competition.

He broke his maiden on Valentine’s Day, winning a Maiden Special Weight (MSW) at Santa Anita. At the 2025 Santa Anita Derby (G1), Baeza came in second, finishing just behind Journalism.

Baeza’s bloodline includes multiple G1 winners. He was sired by McKinzie, who won four G1 races, including the 2017 Los Alamitos Futurity, 2018 Pennsylvania Derby, 2018 Malibu Stakes, and the 2019 Whitney Stakes.

His grandsires, Street Sense and Big Brown, were also G1 champions. Street Sense won the three G1 races, among them the 2007 Kentucky Derby. Big Brown claimed victory in four G1 races, including the 2008 Kentucky Derby and 2008 Preakness Stakes, but a loose shoe at Belmont cost him the Triple Crown.

Rodriguez (+700)

• Trainer: Bob Baffert
• Jockey: Mike Smith

Rounding out the top four in the latest 2025 Belmont Stakes betting lines is Rodriguez, who is listed at +700. He was trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, who has produced three previous Belmont winners.

Rodriguez won his maiden race in January and then finished second at the 2025 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3). He also finished third at the 2025 San Felipe Stakes (G2) and won the 2025 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).

A bruised foot prevented Rodriguez from competing in the first two gems of the Triple Crown. Now that he has had time to heal, Rodriguez is ready to take on Sovereignty and Journalism in the third and final leg of the series.

Rodriguez was sired by 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. His grand sires are the previously mentioned Into Mischief and 1994 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Cherokee Run.

Long-Shot Picks & Exotic Wagers

The highly anticipated rematch between Journalism and Sovereignty is not the only reason to tune into the final leg of the Triple Crown. Here are my sleeper and exotic horse racing picks for the 2025 Belmont Stakes.

Best Belmont Stakes Sleeper

My top dark horse recommendation for the 2025 Belmont Stakes is Grande (+8000). He is making his Triple Crown debut after winning two of his last three races. Grande finished second to Rodriguez at the 2025 Wood Memorial.

He shares a sire, Curlin, with Journalism. Grande’s mare, Journey Home, won the 2016 Jimmy Durante. 2005 Princelet LS winner War Front sired Journey Home.

Grande has the pedigree and the right trainer to win. He was trained by Todd Pletcher, who has produced four previous Belmont Stakes winners. Grande is also well-rested, which should serve him well in The Run for the Carnations.

Belmont Stake 2025 Exotic Wagers

Here are three exotic wagers I recommend for this year’s Belmont Stakes.

• Exacta: Sovereignty – Grande
• Trifecta: Sovereignty – Grande – Baeza
• Superfecta: Sovereignty – Grande – Baeza – Journalism

Skipping the Preakness Stakes should serve Sovereignty well at Belmont. The additional rest will give him the endurance he needs to win the third gem of the Triple Crown. Sovereignty also showed at the Derby that he has the late-race endurance needed to win The Test of Champions.

The same cannot be said for Journalism, who will be racing in his third Triple Crown race in five weeks. I think he will be worn down and just miss the top three.

Grande has a similar pedigree to Journalism, as the two were both sired by Curlin. The rested Grande will finish second at Belmont, beating out Baeza but falling short of dethroning Sovereignty.

Belmont Stakes Betting Tips

Belmont Park, also known as The Championship Track, is arguably the most challenging course in the Triple Crown series.

Bet on “Tactical” Speed and Stamina

The Belmont is the longest of the three Triple Crown races. Its long, flat home stretch and sweeping turns make it a challenging course for three-year-olds.

To win the final gem, a horse needs stamina to cover the 1.5-mile course. Maintaining top speed over the long course is nearly impossible. So, horses that can conserve energy and finish fast down the home stretch tend to fare better.

Consider Starting Position

Starting position is important for every race, but it can be paramount at Belmont. Despite the length of the course, it is challenging for slow starters to make up ground on what is widely considered a very fair racetrack. Horses with better starting positions can start fast and get an early advantage.

Experience of the Trainers and Jockeys Matters

The length of the Belmont track is one of the biggest challenges of The Test of the Champions. Many horses are not used to the size of the track.

However, there are plenty of trainers and jockeys who are well accustomed to the challenges of Belmont. Betting on the experience of the team around the horse is one way to get a leg up on the sportsbook.

How to Bet on the Belmont Stakes

Sovereignty and Journalism lead the pack in the opening 2025 Belmont Stakes odds. I think Sovereignty will be the better rested of the two, giving him an edge in the final gem of the Triple Gem. Grande is another horse to watch and is a great sleeper option.

Read the guide above for a closer look at the top competitors. Then, create your Bovada account to wager on your Belmont Stakes predictions. New members can get up to $750 in bonus funds with their first crypto deposit.