Sovereignty decisively wins Belmont Stakes over Journalism

Jun 07, 2025 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Sovereignty winning the Belmont (G1) at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Past was prologue in the $2 million Belmont (G1) on Saturday, as Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baeza replicated their 1-2-3 finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) five weeks ago by finishing in that order in the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

Held at Saratoga at a reduced distance of 1 1/4 miles for the second straight year, this edition of the 'Test of the Champion' was billed as a rematch between Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Journalism, the Derby favorite who rebounded to win the Preakness (G1) two weeks later. Sovereignty passed on the Pimlico classic to await the Belmont, a decision that paid off handsomely.

Not only was the finish of the Belmont identical to the Derby, but so essentially was the final quarter mile of action, as Journalism bid for the lead first, but proved not to have the stamina to match Sovereignty's in the final furlong.

There were, however, a couple meaningful differences between the Derby and Belmont. One was the respective trips Sovereignty and Journalism had. Both colts rated closer to a more moderate pace in a compact Belmont field of eight over a track rated good, compared to rallying from the second tier in a congested field of 19 in the slop at Churchill Downs.

Another difference was that Sovereignty's victory was more decisive, as was Journalism's superiority over Baeza. Sovereignty captured the Belmont by three lengths over Journalism, compared to his widening 1 1/2-length margin in the Derby.

Journalism, who barely held second at Churchill Downs over a fast-closing Baeza, had a more comfortable margin of 3 1/2 lengths on that rival on Saturday. Pacesetter Rodriguez weakened to fourth, and was followed by Hill Road, Heart of Honor, Uncaged, and Crudo.

A homebred campaigned by Godolphin, trained by Bill Mott, and ridden by Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty completed the Belmont course in 2:00.69. He returned $7 as the second choice in the wagering to Journalism, who was sent away at a little over 2-1.

With victories in the Belmont, Kentucky Derby, and Fountain of Youth (G2), plus a second-place finish in the Florida Derby (G1), Sovereignty is in the pole position for champion three-year-old male honors going into the second half of the season. Likely targets include the Travers (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 23 and the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

Sovereignty is a Kentucky-bred son of multiple leading sire Into Mischief and the unraced crowned, a daughter of Bernardini and Grade 1 winner Mushka.