HORSE RACING · 9 months ago

5 Longhot Bets to Make at the 2025 Belmont Stakes

Grant White

Host · Writer

Scintillating Superfecta
In a smaller field, we can’t dismiss Journalism or Sovereignty’s chances. But including them in a superfecta bet along with two long shot horses could yield bettors a hefty payday. With that in mind, we endeavor to make the most profitable superfecta bet in the 2025 Belmont Stakes.

For our superfecta, we’re boxing Sovereignty and Rodriguez in first and second positions, Journalism, Uncaged, and Crudo in the third and fourth spots.

To maximizing our potential payout, we’re hoping for Rodriguez, Sovereignty, Uncaged, and Crudo as the finishing positions.
Chalky Trifecta
Let’s get the least tantalizing bet out of the way early. As implied by the betting odds, the 2025 Belmont Stakes could turn into another neck-and-neck battle between the two morning line favorites -- Journalism and Sovereignty. If that’s where you think this race is headed, you can still make it a profitable endeavor.

Boxing Journalism and Sovereignty at the top of a trifecta, salvages finishing order if you don’t have a good read on the potential winner. From there, there are several intriguing longshots to include on the bottom third of the ticket. Our preferred longshot to finish in the money -- Crudo.

Alternatively, boxing any of the other longshots to finish in the third position limits liability while also maximizing payout.
Rodriguez to Win
We were waiting to see what Rodriguez had in store at the Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, a bruise kept the colt out off the crown gem of the Triple Crown. Nevertheless, the lightly-ran horse is loaded with upset potential on Saturday.

Rodriguez has finished in the money in all five of his career races, including wins in two of his last four. Moreover, his speed figures continue to rank among the best of the contenders in the 2025 Belmont Stakes.

While his morning line odds don’t tip the scales, he’s in a prime post position to dethrone Journalism and Sovereignty.
Uncaged to Win/Place/Show
While Uncaged has yet to test his mettle against the premier competition, there are a few factors working in this colt’s favor ahead of Saturday’s race. Specifically, his mount and post position could benefit Uncaged in making an unexpected run to the front of the pack.

Luis Saez has ridden two of the last four Belmont Stakes winners. He mounted Dornoch in 2024 and Essential Quality in 2021. In the two races in between, Saez finished third atop Tapit Trice in 2023, also a Todd Pletcher trained colt, while sitting out the 2022 Belmont Stakes.

Moreover, Uncaged is sandwiched between two other longshots in the starting gates. So rather than getting tempted into an unsustainable pace early, the colt could be insulated to conserve energy down the stretch.

A Win/Place/Show bet makes the most sense for Uncaged, but loading up on one of the latter categories could limit a bettor’s exposure.
Crudo to Win/Place/Show
Three races isn’t a hefty workload, but that is Crudo’s resume ahead of the 2025 Belmont Stakes. Still, we like what we have seen from this colt.

Progeny of Justify, Crudo has wins in two straight heading into The Test of Champions. His latest victory was easily his most impressive. Crudo posted a 122 speed figure en route to a win at the Sir Barton Stakes. That kind of top-end speed will play well against this field.

Granted, it has been 13 years since Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez last won the Belmont Stakes. However, he remains one of the winningest jockeys of all-time and will get the most out of Crudo. Betting this tandem to Win/Place/Show could be the most profitable strategy.
Scintillating Superfecta
In a smaller field, we can’t dismiss Journalism or Sovereignty’s chances. But including them in a superfecta bet along with two long shot horses could yield bettors a hefty payday. With that in mind, we endeavor to make the most profitable superfecta bet in the 2025 Belmont Stakes.

For our superfecta, we’re boxing Sovereignty and Rodriguez in first and second positions, Journalism, Uncaged, and Crudo in the third and fourth spots.

To maximizing our potential payout, we’re hoping for Rodriguez, Sovereignty, Uncaged, and Crudo as the finishing positions.
Chalky Trifecta
Let’s get the least tantalizing bet out of the way early. As implied by the betting odds, the 2025 Belmont Stakes could turn into another neck-and-neck battle between the two morning line favorites -- Journalism and Sovereignty. If that’s where you think this race is headed, you can still make it a profitable endeavor.

Boxing Journalism and Sovereignty at the top of a trifecta, salvages finishing order if you don’t have a good read on the potential winner. From there, there are several intriguing longshots to include on the bottom third of the ticket. Our preferred longshot to finish in the money -- Crudo.

Alternatively, boxing any of the other longshots to finish in the third position limits liability while also maximizing payout.