Saturday at Saratoga Race Course was a day full of high stakes and shifting conditions as the 157th Belmont Stakes unfolded under a cloudy, rain-threatened sky. The prestigious event, marking the conclusion of the Triple Crown, drew a competitive field and eager fans despite the soggy track and weather uncertainties. With rain forecast to taper off by evening, the excitement built toward the approximately 7:04 p.m. ET post time for the $2 million Belmont Stakes, a 1 1/4 mile test of endurance and speed.
One of the key storylines of the day was the highly anticipated rematch between Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Preakness Stakes winner Journalism. Journalism entered the Belmont as the favorite, boasting a strong Triple Crown presence as the only horse contesting all three legs this year. Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, was making his first start since his May 3 Kentucky Derby victory, having skipped the Preakness due to the short two-week turnaround. Alongside them, Derby third-place finisher Baeza and Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez, who missed the Derby and Preakness due to a minor foot bruise, rounded out the top contenders in a field of eight.
The rain that began early in the day at Saratoga led to significant adjustments in the racing schedule. The National Weather Service predicted showers and thunderstorms mainly before 2 p.m., with a chance of up to a tenth of an inch of additional precipitation. Temperatures hovered around a mild 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and while rain chances dropped to 20% by evening, the track conditions remained a major factor. Turf races such as the Manhattan and Jaipur Stakes, both Grade 1 events, were postponed until Sunday due to the wet conditions. Additionally, the New York Racing Association moved four races—numbers 3, 6, 10, and 14—off the turf, which meant the Wonder Again (G2) and Pennine Ridge (G3) races would be downgraded pending review by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
The Belmont Gold Cup, originally scheduled for two miles on the turf, was shifted to the main dirt track at 1 3/4 miles after Friday's heavy downpour rendered the turf course unusable. This shift led to a flurry of scratches and last-minute entries, with Parchment Party, a $16 longshot, seizing the opportunity to win by an impressive 8 1/2 lengths. This victory earned Parchment Party a coveted 'Golden Ticket' berth to the Melbourne Cup in November, adding an international dimension to the day's excitement.
Earlier in the day, before the rain intensified, Ways and Means, the 1-2 favorite at $3 odds, dominated the Bed o’ Roses Stakes (G2) with a commanding 7 3/4 length victory on a fast track. However, as the track conditions deteriorated, surprises abounded. In the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), Dorth Vader, a $19.80 outsider, triumphed by 4 3/4 lengths over Dazzling Move on a sloppy, sealed track, while the favorite Raging Sea could only manage third place.
Perhaps the most stunning upset came in the Acorn Stakes (G1), where 3-10 favorite Good Cheer, who had been undefeated in seven starts, faltered on the sloppy track and finished fifth. La Cara, at $17.40 odds, embraced the wet conditions and cruised to a three-length victory over Look Forward. Good Cheer's trainer Brad Cox reflected on the unexpected defeat, stating, "It just wasn’t her day. Graveyard of champions, weather and tracks are a great equalizer. She’s performed on an off track. I’m not going to use that as an excuse. For whatever reason, she just wasn’t up for giving her ‘A’ effort today.”
In the New York Stakes (G1), She Feels Pretty, a $3 favorite, continued her impressive form with a strong stretch run to beat longshot Beach Bomb by a half-length. This marked the 4-year-old filly’s fourth consecutive win and her fourth Grade 1 victory, solidifying her status as one of the top female thoroughbreds on the circuit.
Turning back to the Belmont Stakes itself, the field was a mix of proven talent and hopeful challengers. Alongside Journalism and Sovereignty were Hill Road (10-1), Uncaged and Heart of Honor (both 30-1), Crudo (15-1), and Baeza (4-1). Early betting odds positioned Journalism as the favorite at 8-5, followed by Baeza and Sovereignty, but with the weather and track conditions evolving, wagering patterns were expected to fluctuate throughout the day.
Broadcast coverage of the Belmont Stakes was extensive, with Fox Sports and Fubo streaming the event live. Pre-race coverage began at 10:30 a.m. ET on FS1, continuing through the afternoon and evening to capture every moment of this marquee event. Fans who braved the rain at Saratoga were advised to bring rain ponchos as the forecast called for lingering showers and the possibility of thunderstorms before 8 p.m.
Notably, the Belmont Stakes was held at Saratoga for the second consecutive year due to the ongoing renovations at Belmont Park on Long Island, a project expected to cost nearly half a billion dollars. Saratoga, with its historic charm and passionate racing community, proved a fitting stage for the Triple Crown finale, even as the weather posed challenges.
The 2025 Belmont Stakes promised to be a thrilling conclusion to the Triple Crown series, with Journalism aiming to capitalize on her Preakness win and Sovereignty seeking redemption after skipping the middle jewel. Meanwhile, the presence of seasoned contenders like Baeza and Rodriguez added depth to the field, ensuring a competitive race that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
As the day progressed and the rain subsided, attention turned fully to the track and the horses ready to battle over the demanding 1 1/4 mile distance. With the purse set at $2 million, the stakes were as high as ever, and the outcomes of this day would ripple through the racing world, influencing breeding, training, and betting decisions for months to come.
Despite the weather's impact on some races, the energy at Saratoga remained electric, with memorable performances and unexpected results underscoring the unpredictable nature of horse racing. Whether it was the upset in the Acorn Stakes, the dominant win by Ways and Means, or the gritty effort by She Feels Pretty, the day offered plenty to talk about beyond the main event.
Looking ahead, the postponed turf races and the downgraded stakes will be rescheduled or reviewed, but the spotlight remained firmly on the Belmont Stakes and its role as the final chapter in the 2025 Triple Crown saga. Fans, bettors, and participants alike awaited the outcome with bated breath, knowing that this race could etch a new legend into the annals of thoroughbred racing.
