2025 Belmont Stakes Set for Saratoga Featuring Triple Crown Contenders

The 2025 Belmont Stakes will take place at Saratoga Race Course over a shortened distance of 1 1/4 miles due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park. The race features a highly anticipated rematch between Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Preakness winner Journalism, who is the early favorite in betting pools and widely regarded as the top 3-year-old contender. Despite no Triple Crown at stake this year, the competition remains fierce with notable contenders like Derby third-place finisher Baeza and speedster Rodriguez adding depth to the field. Veteran horse racing journalists praise Journalism's consistency and determination, highlighting his impressive Preakness performance and suggesting he may overcome the rest advantage held by Sovereignty. Betting strategies emphasize key exacta combinations and encourage wagering through platforms like DK Horse, enhancing fan engagement. Various analyses, including a haiku handicapper's poetic preview, predict Journalism to win the Belmont Stakes as he seeks redemption after narrowly missing the Triple Crown.