Share

Latest Articles  Canada Day Festival  O'Neill wins$nbso;#3000  North America Cup results  Belmont Stakes Resuults  Eclipse Stakes Day

2025 Belmont Results

Jockey Junior Alvarado celebrates aboard Sovereignty after winning the Belmont Stakes

The $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) presented by NYRA Bets will be run at Saratoga for at least three years as Belmont Park is being rebuilt. Due to Saratoga's 1 1/8 mile configuration and narrow turns, starting last year the "Test of the Champion" is shortened to 1 1/4 miles, the same distance as the Kentucky Derby and the Travers Stakes. Conditions were less than ideal for the 46,243 fans in attendance, as rains Friday through Saturday downgraded the main track to sloppy (upgraded to "good" for the Belmont Stakes) and prompting the cancellation of turf racing, with some races run on the dirt and the two Grade 1 events postponed to Sunday. All-sources handle for the Belmont Stakes, which was carded as Race 13, was $55,456,793.

The horses break from the gate for the Belmont Stakes.

A short field of just 8 made final entry with Preakness Stakes (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Journalism sent off as the 2-1 favorite. In to challenge him included 5-2 second choice Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby after finishing second in the Florida Derby (G1), and 7-2 third choice Baeza, third in the Kentucky Derby after finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) behind Journalism.

Jockey Mike Smith sent 7-1 fourth choice Rodriguez to the lead first time by through fractions of 23.42, 47.60, 1:12.20, and 1:36.70 while pressed by 12-1 Crudo and stalked by Journalism. Turning for home Rodriguez tired as Journalism took over the lead through 9f in 1:48.69, but Sovereignty, 4th early under Junior Alvarado, came out 5 wide for room and rallied by to win going away by 3 lengths in 2:00.69. It was a long 3 1/2 lengths back to late-running Baeza third.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 2 Sovereignty Alvarado 37.80 17.60 8.10 7 Journalism Rispoli 6.80 4.20 6 Baeza Prat 2.60 Winning Time: 2:01.69 $1 Exacta 2-7 6.60 $1 Trifecta 2-7-9 13.80 $1 Superfecta 2-7-6-3 40.50

Full results chart from DRF

Left: Sovereignty heads to the winner's circle with trainer Bill Mott on the right. Mott said, "This is home. It’s the race we were pointing for after the Derby and fortunately it worked out very well. 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 had a lot of confidence in him and when he cut him loose the horse responded and got the job done."

Right: The trophy celebration for the Belmont Stakes. Michael Banahan of winning owner-breeder Godolphin said, "He came into the race in such great shape, similar to what he did coming into the Derby as well. He showed a lot more speed today and got Junior [Alvarado] up into a good position. He gave him more traction with where you could go and what he wanted to do with him. He’s shown what a great horse he is.

Left: Junior Alvarado celebrates aboard Sovereignty after the Belmont Stakes. Alvarado said, "It was pretty much like the Derby. Once I got the chance to put him right behind Journalism, just to make sure he has a target turning for home. I know he likes to fight and likes to see what he’s supposed to do. That’s what I did. Turning for home, I followed him a little bit, put him in the clear and just like he did in the Derby, he just went by [Journalism] again. He was very exceptional today. I couldn’t believe how much horse I had the whole way around today.”

Right: Sovereignty heads back to the barn. Banahan added, "There’s races down the road we’d really like to win. The Travers is a very special race – we’ve won it before – I don’t think Bill has won it before and it would be great for him to do that. Maybe if the horse is healthy and well to try and get to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup [Classic]. It’s a race we’ve run in several times but not had an opportunity to win it yet.”

The jockeys pose for a group shot before the 157th Belmont Stakes. Alvarado added, "He broke very well today again like he’s [been] doing. He put himself in a good spot. I was a little shocked at how close, but at the same time [happy with] how easily he was doing everything. As a jockey, I was very happy where I was. I was forwardly placed and able to see where everybody [was] – Journalism on the outside, Rodriguez right up front, I got to see [Crudo] – I had eyes everywhere at that point. I didn’t have to make up too much ground because he was 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 today."

Sovereignty races in fourth shortly first time bay. Umberto Rispoli aboard Journalism said, "Perfect trip. I was lucky to be on the outside today to take the chance. I would say he had a little bit of a stumble coming out of the gate, but I don't think it would've been an excuse that affected anything. I was running down the lane, Junior was just coming by, easing past, so the only thing I can say is probably the freshness. [Journalism] is a warrior, he ran in three legs.[Sovereignty] ran in one and had five weeks to recover, but that's no excuse today. Obviously, I would say the fresh horse won, but he's a great horse, he beat me already. He beat me twice."

Second place finisher and beaten favorite Journalism races in second in deep stretch. Trainer Mike McCarthy said, "Look, anytime good horses get space in between their races, they are very, very dangerous. [Sovereignty] is a very good horse, he trains up here, he's been up here for a while, he's in his backyard. We'll see him in Del Mar hopefully in November, in our backyard. I can't say enough good things about that horse or about my horse. It has been a fantastic experience for me and my guys. He’s a fantastic horse. He’s done what very few horses can do, three races in five weeks, Triple Crown races, [and finished] second, first, second. Take nothing away from him. He’s very, very good."

The $1 million Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) featured a short field of 5 older horses going 1 mile on the main track looking for automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Alysheba (G2) winner Fierceness was sent off as the 3-4 favorite over 5-2 second choice White Abarrio, winner of the Pegasus World Cup (G1), and 7-2 third choice Just a Touch off 2 allowance wins after just missing in last year's Iowa Derby.

Jockey Frankie Dettori sent 8-1 fourth choice Raging Torrent to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 23.92, 46.86, and 1:10.36 while pressed by Fierceness and stalked by White Abarrio. Into the stretch Raging Torrent continued to lead through 7f in 1:22.63, and drew off late to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Fierceness in 1:35.89. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to Just a Touch third.

Full results chart

Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, "I knew I'd get to the bend first, then it was to manage his speed as much as I could. I had Johnny [Velazquez aboard Fierceness] wise to take me on at the 3/8, but at the 1/4 pole I was in the lap of the gods. He showed great determination to get to the line. The horse is maturing. Doug [O'Neill] has realized to space his races out and [Raging Torrent] has this amazing will to win. He puts his head down, even when Johnny pressured me, he fought really hard. What a horse he's been for me, Malibu, Dubai, here, we took on the best of the best and became triumphant. Great job to the team and I had a funny feeling he'd do a big number today, and he did." 

Winning trainer Doug O'Neill said, "[Winning the Met Mile] is something that I never dreamt of just because it seems so far-fetched, but a horse like Raging Torrent is kind of a once-in-a-lifetime kind of horse. We intentionally gave him that time off after the Malibu and were shooting for the Godolphin Mile after that. Usually when you make a plan, God laughs, especially in this business, but Raging Torrent is just one of those unique horses who you can make a plan [for] and he comes through and does it. If he comes out of it good, the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile will be a logical goal and maybe a race between now and then. The plan is to take him to California on Tuesday and play it by ear."

The $400,000 True North Stakes (G3) featured a field of 7 older horses sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track. Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) runner-up Nakatomi was sent off as the 9-4 favorite over 2-1 second choice Book'em Danno, 4th in the Churchill Downs (G1), and 11-4 third choice Mullikin, 5th in the Churchill Downs.

Jockey Luis Saez sent 14-1 Concrete Glory to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 22.21 and 44.72 while pressed by Mullikin and stalked by Book'em Danno. Into the lane Concrete Glory tired allowing Mullikin to inherit the lead through 3/4 in 1:08.35. Book'em Danno, confidently ridden by Paco Lopez, came out 4 wide for room and rallied to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:14.64. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back to late-running 6-1 Crazy Mason third, while favorite Natakomi failed to rally finishing 5th beaten 5 1/4 lengths.

Full results chart

Winning trainer Derek Ryan said, "I couldn't have gotten a better ride, and Paco's riding like a demon right now. It's unbelievable, as good as he's riding. I would be retired and be in Saudi Arabia if it wasn't for this horse. I was ready to take a job out there. But, then he came along and it all worked out. We'll sit down and figure it out [what's next]. Right now, we'll just enjoy this and go from there."

Winning owner Jim Rubenstein said, "Amazing. Every time he runs, I think this competition is so salty, but Book'em [Danno] deserves the chance to prove himself. This should have been a Grade 1 race, but he's been in Grade 1s, he's raced in Riyadh and I got to go to Saudi Arabia to see him run, he always shows up. He's got heart. He's an inspiration to me, I want to train like he trains. He's a wonderful athlete." 

The $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) presented by Mohegan Sun featured 10 three-year-olds sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. Tampa Bay Derby (G3) 4th place finisher Patch Adams was sent off as the 3-1 favorite off an allowance win at Churchill Downs. In to challenge him included 7-2 second choice Chancer McPatrick, 6th in the Blue Grass (G1) and 9-2 third choice Citizen Bull, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) but 15th in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Jockey Javier Castellano sent 6-1 Macho Music to lead through fractions of 22.11 and 44.40 while pressed by 11-1 Madaket Road and stalked by Patch Adams and 36-1 longest T Kraft. Into the stretch Macho Music tired as Patch Adams gained the lead through 3/4 in 1:08.73. Kept to task by Luis Saez, Patch Adams drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Madaket Road in 1:21.36. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back to 8-1 Big Truzz third.
Full results chart

Winning trainer Brad Cox said, "It is kind of odd to have a horse that breaks as well as he does going one turn but couldn't get out of the gate going two turns. Once again, horses will make you scratch your head sometimes. We kind of scratched our heads this winter and into the spring but he turned it around at Churchill Downs and we cut him back and he responded again today. Luis stayed after him. When I was watching him I was like, ‘well he's asking him to press the leaders' and hoped that he wouldn't give way; he didn't and finished up well."

Winning jockey Luis Saez said, "It was a pretty exciting stretch. This horse, I really like him. He was working pretty well and today he came with a good run. That was the plan. We wanted to break from there and take a good position, and he did it. He was in a perfect spot the whole way. I was very proud of him. I know he was going to come out of there running and he did. He found a good spot and, man, when he came to the top of the stretch he gave me a pretty good turn of foot."

Kicking off the Saturday stakes action was the $300,000 Wonder Again Stakes (G3), originally scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf as a Grade 2 but moved to the main track at 1 mile and automatically downgraded to Grade 3 pending review. 5 of the originally drawn field of 8 three-year-old fillies were scratched, leaving just 3 to go to post with Appalachian (G2) and Edgewood (G2) winner Nitrogen as the 5-2 favorite over 2-1 May Day Ready, second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) before dissappointing 13th in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) in Japan, and 5-1 Bessie Abott off a 2nd place finish n an allowance at Keeneland.

Jockey Dylan Davis sent Bessie Abott to lead through fractions of 24.88 and 47.89 while pressed by Nitrogen and stalked by May Day Ready. On the far turn jockey Jose Ortiz sent Nitrogen to take over through 3/4 in 1:11.54. Kept to task by Ortiz, Nitrogen drew off the rest of the way to win by 17 lengths over Bessie Abott in 1:36.16. It was another 8 1/2 lengths back to May Day Ready third.
Full results chart

Winning trainer Mark Casse, who trains the first two finishers said, When you have owners like [Leonard and Jon Green], you don't have to worry about getting ran over the coals if you make a move, and that's everything. And we have a wonderful group of owners that let us do what we do. We know that if it isn't right, because a lot of times it isn't right, that we're going to be OK. Maybe I should have run her on the dirt a little sooner. She ran a mile in [1:36.16] and probably could have run in [1:34], so she was pretty impressive. I know it was a small field and I know they were turf horses but, still, she was pretty impressive."

Winning jockey Jose Ortiz said, "She broke good. I sat right behind my stablemate [Bessie Abott] and I was ready to go. I mean, I was on the best horse, no question about it. I tapped her on the shoulder just to keep her attention. Usually when she makes the lead, she kind of switches leads and hangs around. Today, she didn't, so I caught her attention, made sure she was there, and she was traveling great every step of the way." 

The $300,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes was originally scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf as a Grade 3 but moved to the main track at 1 mile and automatically downgraded to "listed" pending review. Just 4 of the originally drawn field of 10 scratched, leaving a field of 6 going to post with American Turf (G1) 4th place finisher Mi Bago sent off as the 5-4 favorite over 11-4 second choice Noble Confessor, 6th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), and 7-2 third choice A. P. Kid off his maiden win at second asking at Gulfstream.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. sent Mi Bago to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 23.64, 46.92, and 1:11.18 while pressed by A. P. Kid and stalked by 12-1 Golden Channel. Into the stretch Mi Bago continued to lead through 7f in 1:24.01 but A. P. Kid came out 3 wide and drew clear late under John Velazquez to win by 6 1/4 lengths in 1:36.83. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to Golden Channel third.
Full results chart

Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "Broke really well. I knew the one speed in the race. Then I sat perfectly where I wanted to be out in the clear. He responded to everything I wanted to do. It is so nice when everything works out the way that it worked out with this horse today."

Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "He's a colt we've always thought a lot of. He just recently disappointed us in his debut, so we switched to the grass and it worked out, but he had been training so well on the dirt that we decided to give him another try. We were a little unsure of the sloppy conditions, but we certainly felt like we needed to take a chance. I'm not sure where to [go] after this. We'll see how he comes out of it and come up with a game plan."

Back to Horse-Races.Net main page