Saratoga Racecourse takes centre stage in under two weeks’ time, as the American ‘Triple Crown’ series comes to an end, with the running of the 2025 Belmont Stakes.
Ordinarily, the race nicknamed ‘The test of Champions’ is run at its namesake-course Belmont Park but due to refurbishments, the race has moved to Saratoga.
The 157th running has endured the same fate as last year’s renewal, as that also vacated New York City for a move up-state to Saratoga Springs.
The move means that the race is shortened by a quarter of a mile, thus meaning that 1.25 miles is the distance that stands between the starting gates and prize money worth two million dollars.
Following both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, the event completes the American ‘Triple Crown’ series.
Winners of all three races in the same season are dubbed ‘Triple Crown’ winners but this year will see the title go unawarded for the seventh consecutive year.
Despite this, the Americans are sure to dazzle in the racing spotlight.
Here is everything you need to know about the Belmont Stakes.
When is the Belmont Stakes?
The race is the highlight of a 14-race programme attributed to the five-day Belmont Stakes Festival, which begins on Wednesday, June 5.
Fifty-eight races will run across the week, including 27 Stakes races with the richest purses (over 11 million dollars) and highest number of stakes offered since the launch of the multiday Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014.
Each day of the Festival offers top-class racing, before the main event kicks off on Saturday, June 7 – due off at 6:45pm local time (11:45pm UK time).
Race traditions
Despite the fact that the Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three ‘Triple Crown’ races, one of its main traditions – the post parade song – has changed numerous times.
From “The Sidewalks of New York” to world-famous singer Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York, New York”, both featured on race day prior to 2010.
That year saw rapper Jay Z’s “Empire State Of Mind” feature for one year only, in an attempt to appeal to younger fans.
It is similar to the singing of the state song at the post parades of the first two Triple Crown races at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
It is one of two main traditions seen at the race, the other is a traditional drink – now known as the “Belmont Jewel” – after also being the subject of change over time.
Trainers to watch
Todd Pletcher is looking for his fifth win in the race and has taken home just over six million dollars in prize money this season.
According to the standings, however, Brad Cox is the current leading trainer in the States.
He has accumulated prize money totalling $11,849,666 and boasts a 25% win rate this year.
Cox has also tasted victory in this race once before, back in 2021, when Essential Quality took him the prize for his stable.
Bill Mott and William McCarthy will look to add to their respective ‘Triple Crown’ race victories this season.
The former has won this race before, in 2010, but the latter is still searching for his maiden win.
Bob Baffert will remain the latest to train a ‘Triple Crown’ winner, after his horse Justifty won all three races in the series back in 2018.
He remains winless in the series this season but will look to win his fourth Belmont Stakes this season.
One of his main chances is Rodriguez, who will make his return at Saratoga after missing both the previous races with an injury.
Co-owner of the colt Tom Ryan said: “Lovely work from Rodriguez this morning at Santa Anita in 1:24.4 – Happy horse, extended nicely – he’s ready for a trip to Saratoga.”
Jockeys to watch
Last year’s winning rider Luis Saez is searching for his third win in this race – it is the only race in the ‘Triple Crown’ series that he has won.
He is third in the jockey standings behind Irad Ortiz and Flavian Prat.
The former is a five-time Eclipse Award winner, who has won this race twice before, whilst the latter is a French jockey, who moved full-time to the US in 2015, and has ridden numerous winners in prestigious races across the states.
Junior Alvarado and Umberto Rispoli will look to add to their ‘Triple Crown’ victories, having been ‘first past the post’ in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, respectively.
Both are yet to win the Belmont Stakes, however.
How to watch the Belmont Stakes on TV?
NBC is the channel where you will find the main race broadcast in the United States. It begins at 4pm ET.
Sky Sports Racing (channel 415) will broadcast the race in the UK, for Sky Sports subscribers.
By Callum Close
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