2025 Belmont Stakes Draw, Post Positions, & Betting Preview
The 157th Belmont Stakes is set for Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Saratoga Race Course, marking the second consecutive year the race will take place at this historic venue while Belmont Park continues to undergo renovations. Known as the "Test of the Champion," the Belmont Stakes will be contested at a distance of 11/4 miles in 2025 and features a $2 million purse, drawing some of the top 3-year-olds in the country. Post positions and morning-line odds were revealed earlier today, giving bettors a first look at how the race could unfold based on gate assignments, jockey pairings, and trainer history. Below is a full breakdown of the 2025 Belmont Stakes field following the post position draw, including each horse's assigned gate, trainer, jockey, and current odds.
2025 Belmont Stakes Field: Post Positions & Morning Line Odds
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hill Road | Chad Brown | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 10-1 |
| 2 | Sovereignty | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 2-1 |
| 3 | Rodriguez | Bob Baffert | Mike Smith | 6-1 |
| 4 | Uncaged | Todd Pletcher | Luis Saez | 30-1 |
| 5 | Crudo | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 15-1 |
| 6 | Baeza | John Shirreffs | Flavien Prat | 4-1 |
| 7 | Journalism | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | 8-5 |
| 8 | Heart of Honor | Jamie Osborne | Saffie Osborne | 30-1 |
Top Contenders Breakdown
Journalism (Post 7, 8-5)
Preakness Stakes winner Journalism is the morning-line favorite heading into the Belmont. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism is the only horse in the field to compete in all three legs of the 2025 Triple Crown. He enters in top form and will break from post 7 with Umberto Rispoli aboard.
Sovereignty (Post 2, 2-1)
Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty returns after skipping the Preakness to prepare for this race. Trained by Bill Mott and piloted by Junior Alvarado, he breaks from post 2 and is expected to sit just off the pace in what should be a tactical trip.
Baeza (Post 6, 4-1)
Third in the Derby and well-rested for this start, Baeza brings strong closing speed and has the experienced Flavien Prat in the irons. He could benefit from a hot early pace and is a legitimate threat to pull off a mild upset.
Betting Trends & Strategy
- Favorites Have Performed Well: Favorites have won roughly 43% of Belmont Stakes runnings since 2000, and shorter prices have had particular success when the race is run at 11/4 miles.
- Positioning Matters: Since 2005, 16 of 20 Belmont winners were within 4.5 lengths of the lead after the opening half-mile. Horses with tactical speed or forward positioning have a clear edge.
- Trainer Angles: Trainer Todd Pletcher sends out two longshots and has a strong history in this race. He trained both Uncaged and Crudo in this year’s race.
How to Watch the 2025 Belmont Stakes
- Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
- Post Time: 7:04 PM ET
- Location: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY
- Broadcast: FOX Sports
The post position draw may not always dictate the outcome, but it does give bettors critical information on race shape and potential value plays. Whether you're backing the favorite Journalism, siding with a classic winner like Sovereignty, or digging deeper for a live longshot, the 2025 Belmont Stakes promises drama, speed, and betting opportunities in one of racing's most iconic events.
BettingPros Podcast
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn