Sovereignty Wins Belmont Stakes, Beats Journalism in Kentucky Derby Rematch

Sovereignty won the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, securing two of the three Triple Crown races this year by defeating Journalism in a rematch of the Kentucky Derby. After winning the Derby and skipping the Preakness to rest, Sovereignty overtook Journalism late in the Belmont to win by three lengths. Journalism, who won the Preakness and ran all three races, finished second again, with Baeza placing third in both the Derby and Belmont. Trainer Bill Mott's decision to skip the Preakness with Sovereignty sparked debate about the Triple Crown schedule and the impact on the sport's excitement and potential earnings from stud fees. Sovereignty is the first horse since Thunder Gulch in 1995 to win the Derby and Belmont without competing in the Preakness, a move that has generated discussion on whether the traditional Triple Crown calendar needs adjustment. The Triple Crown has not been won since Justify in 2018, underscoring the challenge of winning all three races within five weeks.