HORSE RACING · 11 months ago

2025 Belmont Stakes Preview: Horses, Jockeys, & Post Positions

Grant White

Host · Writer

8. Heart of Honor (30-1)
Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Trainer: Jamie A. Osborne

A terrible post draw could be Heart of Honor’s undoing in Saturday’s race. This colt will have to get out in front early, as he doesn’t possess the late kick to catch the top runners in this year’s field. But even if that happens, we’re betting that Heart of Honor runs out of gas down the stretch—a deserving longshot.

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1. Hill Road (10-1)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz
Trainer: Chad C. Brown

Hill Road is making his first Grade 1 race since the 2024 Juvenile Stakes, which he finished third in. The colt has produced more impressive results since then, including a win at the Peter Pan, in which Hill Road posted a career-best 113 speed figure. The distance could suit him well, and we trust Irad Ortiz to get the most out of this relative unknown.

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2. Sovereignty (2-1)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: William I. Mott

Sovereignty is a deserving frontrunner in the 2025 Belmont Stakes. Entering the third leg of the Triple Crown with 2-1 morning line odds, this colt will be a top bet on race day. Sovereignty has wins in three of his last four, including claiming the Kentucky Derby with a blazing 131 speed figure. Sitting out the Preakness only enhances Sovereignty’s betting appeal against some of the other top contenders.
3. Rodriguez (6-1)
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Historically, Bob Baffert-trained horses don’t fare exceptionally well at the Belmont Stakes. Nevertheless, Baffert and jockey Mike Smith combined to ride Justify to a Belmont win back in 2018. A foot bruise kept Rodriguez out of the Kentucky Derby, but the colt appears to be back in shape ahead of the Belmont. Distance won’t be an issue, and Rodriguez is in a prime stalking position in Saturday’s race.
4. Uncaged (30-1)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Uncaged finished a distant sixth in the Grade 3 Peter Pan last month, leaving little hope that this colt can keep up with the top contenders in the 2025 Belmont Stakes. Still, Luis Saez has ridden two relative unknowns to victory in two of the past four Test of Champions. The progeny of Curlin, Uncaged, could surprise everyone with a strong showing in New York.
5. Crudo (15-1)
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

A late entry due to the small field, Todd Pletcher has the utmost confidence in Crudo’s ability to compete at the 2025 Belmont Stakes. Sired by Triple Crown winner Justify, this colt has gotten better each time out. John Velazquez hasn’t won the Belmont since 2012, a streak that could shockingly snap on Saturday.
6. Baeza (4-1)
Jockey: Flavien Pratt
Trainer: John A. Shireffs

Despite excellent rides, Baeza continues to get outclassed. A late addition to the Kentucky Derby following Rodriguez’s injury, this colt ran to a third-place finish in the first leg of the Triple Crown. After sitting out the Preakness, Baeza will again leave it all out on the track at Saratoga.
7. Journalism (8-5)
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy

The morning line favorite and Preakness winner, Journalism, looks to conclude the Triple Crown with another victory. Another colt from Curlin’s progeny, Journalism, has wins in six of his last seven races. Posting almost unmatchable speed figures, the only thing standing in his way is the hefty race schedule that fewer horses are running these days.
8. Heart of Honor (30-1)
Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Trainer: Jamie A. Osborne

A terrible post draw could be Heart of Honor’s undoing in Saturday’s race. This colt will have to get out in front early, as he doesn’t possess the late kick to catch the top runners in this year’s field. But even if that happens, we’re betting that Heart of Honor runs out of gas down the stretch—a deserving longshot.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1. Hill Road (10-1)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz
Trainer: Chad C. Brown

Hill Road is making his first Grade 1 race since the 2024 Juvenile Stakes, which he finished third in. The colt has produced more impressive results since then, including a win at the Peter Pan, in which Hill Road posted a career-best 113 speed figure. The distance could suit him well, and we trust Irad Ortiz to get the most out of this relative unknown.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

2025 Belmont Stakes Preview: Horses, Jockeys, & Post Positions

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