The 2025 American ‘Triple Crown’ series will be completed in under two weeks’ time, as Saratoga racecourse hosts one of America’s finest sporting events – the Belmont Stakes.
This year, due to refurbishments at the race’s namesake-course Belmont Park, the race has endured the same fate as last year and a change of venue is needed.
The race nicknamed ‘The test of Champions’ will move up-state from New York City, to Saratoga Springs for the second year running.
Due to the move, the race has been shortened by a quarter of a mile, thus meaning that 1.25 miles is the distance over which America’s racing elite go head-to-head for a share of two million dollars.
It will bring an end to the 2025 ‘Triple Crown’ series, following both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness stakes in the racing calendar.
Winners of all three races in the same season are dubbed ‘Triple Crown’ winners and the last to do so was Justify – for trainer Bob Baffert, in 2018.
This year will see the title go unawarded for the seventh consecutive year as the preceding races had unique winners.
The return of Sovereignty
One of which was Sovereignty, who won the Kentucky Derby for four-time Eclipse Award winning-trainer Bill Mott and renowned owners Godolphin.
He surged to victory at a sloppy Churchill Downs, beating favourite and eventual Preakness Stakes winner Journalism – whom he followed into the home straight.
Mott made it clear that after his victory he would miss the Preakness Stakes and instead target the Belmont Stakes.
After a racecourse-gallop in his preparation for Saratoga, Mott alluded to there being more to come from Sovereignty.
He said: “He’s almost a little more aggressive, (The Derby) hasn’t set him back. He’s just getting a little stronger than he was. He wasn’t quite that strong (before the Derby).”
Derby rematch
However, he will face a rematch with Journalism, whose trainer William McCarthy is searching for his maiden win in this race.
He overcame severe trouble turning for home and made up five lengths within the final furlong to land McCarthy’s second Preakness Stakes, thus setting up this title fight against the Godolphin-owned horse.
After the race, his jockey Umberto Rispoli said: “I don’t know if people realise what this horse did today.
“I got in trouble at the quarter pole and he made himself go again. I was in a tough spot but it’s unbelievable.”
Veteran trainer John Shirreffs could be represented by Baeza in the Belmont Stakes field.
It was only his fifth career race when he finished third in the Kentucky Derby, overcoming a wide draw in the process and serves as a potential benefactor should the top-two fluff their lines.
Rodriguez back on the hunt
Rodriguez will make his return at Saratoga after missing both the previous ‘Triple Crown’ 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.”
He would become Baffert’s first winner of the race since the year of his Triple Crown training season.
Other potential runners include British-trained runner Heart of Honour, who – if running – will continue his stateside exploits for trainer Jamie Osborne after finishing fifth in the Preakness Stakes.
Pletcher again?
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is also worth a mention, as he is reportedly considering sending a pair of runners to the East Coast, in search of his fifth Belmont Stakes win.
The former is Wood Memorial Stakes runner-up Grande, whilst the latter is Crudo – winner of the Sir Barton Stakes.
The race is due off at 6:45pm local time (11:45pm UK time) on Saturday, June 7.
NBC will broadcast the race in the United States with coverage beginning at 4pm ET, whilst Sky Sports Racing (channel 415) are showing the race in the UK, for Sky Sports subscribers.
By Callum Close
READ MORE: Belmont Stakes 2025 – Traditions, dates, how to watch on TV, trainers and jockeys to watch
