Election Outcome 2025 - Sovereignty Emerges Victor, Journalism Holds Second Place, Baeza Exhibits Remarkable Performance
Hitting the home stretch at Saratoga Race Course, Junior Alvarado strategically navigated Sovereignty to the front, leaving the popular favorite, Journalism, in the dust. The 2025 Belmont Stakes, a repeat of the Kentucky Derby's top finishers, played out just as precisely as a rehearsal – stretch run, order of finish, you name it – save for the June rain that temporarily slowed the New York track. But, as in Kentucky, there was rain. The track was declared fast. Sovereignty's winning time clocked in at 2:00.69.
With a starting price of 5-2, Sovereignty proved the smarter bet, paying out $7.20 on a $2 wager. Journalism, the (nominal) Belmont favorite who went off at 2-1, managed a respectable second place, earning $3.20, while Baeza, priced at 7-2, came in third, paying $2.60. Bob Baffert's Rodriguez, who led around the second turn, struggled to keep up, finishing in an unchallenging fourth.
Sovereignty's victory marks him as the only horse in history to win the first and third legs of the Triple Crown series without competing in the Preakness. He takes home $1.2 million from the Belmont's $2 million purse.
Breaking smoothly from the second stall, Alvarado kept Sovereignty steady on the inside but up in contention all the way around the first turn. Rodriguez, led by Mike Smith, took the early lead, but Umberto Rispoli worked Journalism past Sovereignty as they entered the far turn, placing Journalism two off the lead.
With a clear shot at the wire, Alvarado deftly maneuvered Sovereignty wide at the top of the stretch, sweeping past a somewhat struggling Journalism and pulling away with a three-length lead at the finish line. He galloped out strongly, showing no signs of fatigue. Had the race been held at its old length of a mile-and-a-half, Sovereignity would have easily added a few more lengths to his winning margin.
The late summer meetings will reveal whatever Sovereignty and Journalism have in store next, but the 157th Belmont Stakes made it clear that Sovereignty's deep tactical prowess and athletic abilities were always a cut above Journalism's popular and persistent Triple Crown campaign. The "fogging effect" of public interest in Journalism may have momentarily obscured Sovereignty's potential, but his decisive victory at Saratoga left no reason to doubt his position as the undisputed leader of the Class of 2025.
William Mott, Sovereignty's Dakota-born trainer, kept his delight largely to himself, but his relief at the success of Sovereignty's Preakness bypass strategy was evident in his post-race comments. "This is home," he said. "It’s the race we were pointing for after the Derby, and fortunately, it worked out very well.” He continued, “I’m sure we would have taken some criticism had he gotten beat today and he hadn't run in the Preakness, but it worked out. The horse was good. Junior rode him well. He [Alvarado] had a lot of confidence in him, and when he cut him loose, the horse responded and got the job done.”
Junior Alvarado echoed his trainer's sentiments, praising Sovereignty's ease as he "shifted gears and tactically mastered the last half mile of the race.” He added, "I didn't have to make up too much ground because he [Sovereignty] stayed close to the pace. He was very ready today, and right when we were turning for home, I put him in the clear and gave him the cue, and he was just sensational."
Historically, the Belmont Stakes, held for the second consecutive year at Saratoga Race Course, was a testament to the power of strategy and the strength of Sovereignty's athletic abilities. The race underscored the importance of looking beyond popular favorites and maintaining an awareness of the potential hidden within lesser-known contenders. Sovereignty's victory serves as a reminder that true greatness often lies in the shadows, waiting for its moment to shine.
Sovereignty, trained by William Mott, accomplished a unique feat by winning the Belmont Stakes 2025 without competing in the Preakness, marking him as the only horse in history to win the first and third legs of the Triple Crown series in this way.
Journalism, the popular favorite, placed second despite a strong Triple Crown campaign, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond popularity and recognizing the potential in lesser-known contenders, as Sovereignty demonstrated during the race.
