Belmont Stakes 2025 Opens Saratoga Festival With $2M Race

The 2025 Belmont Stakes will take place on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course, marking the 157th running of this prestigious event. The race features top contenders including Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Preakness winner Journalism, who are the primary rivals in a field of eight horses. Journalism, with a strong record including wins at the Preakness Stakes and Santa Anita Derby, is considered one of the favorites, although Sovereignty, who defeated Journalism at the Derby, is also highly competitive. Other notable entrants include Rodriguez, Baeza, and Heart of Honor, with prize money for the winner set at $1.2 million. The event will be broadcast live on Fox and streamed via the Fox Sports app, starting at 2:30 PM ET, with the race scheduled for 7:04 PM ET. Expert analysis highlights the strategic preparations and odds for each horse, noting that while Journalism is the most talented, Sovereignty's rest and preparation could give him an edge, and several longshots have potential to surprise.