Sovereignty beats out Journalism to win the 2025 Belmont Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 157th Belmont Stakes wasn’t just a rematch of the Kentucky Derby, it was a virtual instant replay.With Long Island-based jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, Sovereignty took the lead early in the stretch and ran away from Journalism by three lengths, with Baeza again taking third.Sovereignty, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, takes home $1.2 million of the total purse of $2 million.He finished the mile and a quarter in 2:00.69 and paid $7.00 to win.“We had a repeat of the Derby,” Mott said on Fox.

“What it means is it’s for real.That’s three really good horses, and I’m glad [Sovereignty] was able to put in a race like he did in the Derby.”The victory continued a magical spring for Alvarado, the 39-year-old native Venezuelan who resides with his wife and three children in Garden City.

Last month he threw out the first pitch at a Yankees game and wears the logo of sponsor Hildebrandt’s ice cream shop of Williston Park on his riding pants.“Two great horses.[Journalism] ran amazing again coming back after the Preakness,” Alvarado said.

“He didn’t make it easy for my horse.I just think [Sovereignty] was great today.”On winning his first two Triple Crown races, Alvarado said, “It sounds surreal to be honest.”The main dirt track had graduated to “fast” about an hour before the start of the Belmont Stakes, but before that, heavy rains in the region in the morning forced changes throughout what had been scheduled as a 14-race card.

At least 40 horses were scratched due to the conditions.Six turf races were affected.Four of them — Races 3, 6, 10 and 14 — were moved to the main track.The two Grade 1 stakes — The Jaipur (a win-and-in for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint) and The Manhattan — will remain on the turf but will be conducted on Sunday as the 12th and 13th races, respectively.Saturday’s sixth race, the Grade 2 Wonder Again — was left with just three horses after five scratched.

Nitrogen won...