The pinnacle of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is today with the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes. It’s the second year in a row that Saratoga is hosting Belmont week, due to the massive ongoing renovation project at Belmont Park on Long Island.

Sovereignty defeated Journalism on Saturday in a Kentucky Derby rematch to win the 157th Belmont Stakes, the second hosted at Saratoga.

Sovereignty closed horse racing’s 2025 Triple Crown season with a win in the 157th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday night at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty swept past favored Journalism in the stretch and powered to victory. Journalism held on for second, with Baeza getting up for third.

Journalism or Sovereignty? Jody Demling, who has nailed four of the last seven Belmont Stakes winners, just revealed his 2025 Belmont Stakes picks for Saturday, June 7 at Saratoga Race Course

Saratoga itself is a draw for avid fans, given the track’s place in history, but the debate continues about how to draw casual fan interest in the Triple Crown.

Spinning Colors, ridden by John Velazquez, won the Mount Vernon to cap off a day of seven stakes races to open the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga.

Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga Race Course at a shortened distance of 1¼ miles. Kentucky Derby top three finishers Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baez will compete, with Journalism entering as the favorite after winning the Preakness.