Kentucky Derby Alumni Update: Belmont could bring a rematch of top three Derby finishers

May 21, 2025 Sara Dacus/TwinSpires.com

Journalism wins the 2025 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

The newest Kentucky Derby alumni continue to dominate Triple Crown headlines. Winner Sovereignty and runner-up Journalism—who subsequently triumphed in the Preakness S. (G1)—could meet again in the Belmont S. (G1) on June 7, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch with hefty implications for year-end honors. For the second year, Saratoga will host the Belmont due to the ongoing construction of a new Belmont Park.

Sovereignty earned his place in the 151st Kentucky Derby with a win in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby (G1). Sent off as the third choice, he outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism through the slop to give jockey Junior Alvarado his first Derby win and trainer Bill Mott a true winner’s circle experience (his previous visit came after the disqualification of Maximum Security).

The victory also gave owners Godolphin the second half of the Oaks-Derby double. One day earlier, Good Cheer—trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Luis Saez—captured the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Godolphin, the global racing operation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, became just the fifth owner to win both races in the same year. Though the organization has won the last five Eclipse Awards as outstanding owner, this marked Godolphin’s first Derby win after 14 starters in 11 runnings.

Sovereignty’s team bypassed the Preakness and pointed to the Belmont, with the Travers S. (G1) also under consideration. Mott said winning the Travers remains a personal goal.

Journalism, meanwhile, validated his Derby favoritism with a gutsy Preakness victory. Trained by Mike McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, the son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin overcame multiple bumps in the stretch to run down 15-1 longshot Gosger and win by a half-length. Two other Kentucky Derby alumni competed: Sandman finished third, while American Promise was unplaced.

JOURNALISM WINS THE PREAKNESS! 🏆🌻

pic.twitter.com/sfi7uXdUkY

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 17, 2025

Gosger could return in the Belmont, as could Baeza, the fast-closing third-place Derby finisher. This sets up a potential showdown between the Derby’s top three finishers.