Kentucky Derby rematch: Sovereignty, Journalism, Baeza square off in Belmont

Jun 02, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Sovereignty winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Kentucky Derby (G1) star Sovereignty will renew rivalry with runner-up Journalism and third-placer Baeza in Saturday’s $2 million Belmont (G1). Journalism, who rebounded with a spectacular, trouble-defying score in the Preakness (G1), will be the only contender to line up in all three jewels of the Triple Crown.

While its historic home, Belmont Park, remains under redevelopment, the Belmont will be contested upstate at Saratoga for the second straight year. As in 2024, the temporary change of venue has prompted a reduction in distance. The “Test of the Champion,” traditionally a 1 1/2-mile classic, will be held at 1 1/4 miles – the same distance as the Kentucky Derby.

Sovereignty has not raced since his historic victory in the slop at Churchill Downs, where he handed Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation a long-coveted Derby trophy. His connections preferred to pass on the middle jewel, the Preakness, to give him more time to prepare for the Belmont.

The Bill Mott pupil has experience at Saratoga, having finished an eye-catching fourth in his career debut here last summer. Sovereignty went on to break his maiden resoundingly in Churchill’s Street Sense (G3) and rallied in time in the Fountain of Youth (G2). The blueblood son of Into Mischief was a belated second in the Florida Derby (G1), in what was merely a warm-up for the Run for the Roses. Regular rider Junior Alvarado will guide Sovereignty, listed at 2-1 on the morning line, from post 2.

Journalism, the Derby favorite after winning four straight in Southern California, just succumbed to Sovereignty in a stretch duel at Churchill. As the even-money favorite in the Preakness, he appeared to tower over the field on paper, only to run into desperate trouble at Pimlico. The Michael McCarthy trainee amazingly extricated himself and flew home to prevail by a half-length.

In the process, Journalism was emulating his Hall of Fame sire Curlin, who placed in the 2007 Derby before winning the Preakness. But Journalism hopes to break free of the pattern here. Curlin lost the Belmont in a titanic tussle with champion filly Rags to Riches. Drawn in post 7, Journalism keeps Umberto Rispoli aboard as the 8-5 morning-line Belmont favorite.

Baeza could make history for his mother, Puca, who has already produced two classic winners in Mage, the 2023 Derby hero, and Dornoch, victorious in the 2024 Belmont. Dornoch was a luckless 10th in last year’s Derby but got a fairer chance at the Spa. Baeza fared much better at Churchill with his hard-charging third, indicating that he doesn’t have as big a bridge to gap. Indeed, Baeza got even closer to Journalism than he did when chasing him home in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

A May 13 foal, Baeza is physically thriving right now in the care of John Shirreffs, best known for training the great Zenyatta and 2005 Derby shocker Giacomo. The $1.2 million yearling purchase, from the first crop of McKinzie, reunites with Flavien Prat.

British-based Heart of Honor, the only other entrant with experience in a Triple Crown race, stayed on for fifth in the Preakness. Trainer Jamie Osborne reiterated that the Honor A. P. colt needs to work on breaking better from the gate, or else he’ll keep putting himself too far out of it. Heart of Honor had shown talent throughout his winter sojourn in Dubai, culminating in a frustrating photo-finish loss in the UAE Derby (G2). Jockey Saffie Osborne, the trainer’s daughter, returns to the saddle.

Wood Memorial (G2) romper Rodriguez developed a foot bruise that ruled him out of the Derby and Preakness, but he’s back in business for three-time Belmont winner Bob Baffert. From the first crop of 2020 Derby champion Authentic, Rodriguez promises to be in the front rank early with Mike Smith.

Hill Road was expected to be a major player in the Wood, only to scratch with a fever. The Chad Brown runner came back with an encouraging score in the Peter Pan (G3). Judging by his fast-closing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in his U.S. and dirt debut, Hill Road has upset potential at 10-1. Irad Ortiz Jr. picks up the mount.

Hill Road returns to the winner's circle in the G3 Peter Pan at Aqueduct under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown! 💪 pic.twitter.com/10e63EZrRv

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 10, 2025

Todd Pletcher has won the Belmont four times, but the Hall of Famer didn’t appear likely to make an appearance in Saturday’s renewal. In the past several days, however, his lightly-raced Crudo and Uncaged entered the conversation.

Crudo has the sharper form, coming off front-running romps in a Keeneland maiden and the Sir Barton S. on Preakness Day. He figures to flash speed again for his regular pilot, John Velazquez. By Triple Crown sweeper Justify, Crudo is a full brother to Japanese dirt celebrity Awesome Result and a half to Sippican Harbor, the winner of the 2018 Spinaway (G1) here.

Uncaged exits a lackluster sixth behind Hill Road in the Peter Pan, but he can claim a debut win at Saratoga as a juvenile. He’s also a son of Curlin, like Journalism. Luis Saez gets the call.

Scheduled for 7:04 p.m. ET, the Belmont Stakes is the 13th of 14 races on a superb Saturday at Saratoga. You can watch and wager on all the action at TwinSpires.com.

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