The races are underway at Saratoga, and the track is officially listed as sloppy and sealed, while the turf course is rated yielding.
Rain earlier in the day led to many scratches in the earlier races, most of them due to the weather. If you’re planning your Belmont Stakes betting strategy, this is a good time to take another look—especially with how the Belmont Stakes odds might shift based on the track conditions and scratches. Whether you're a seasoned pro or trying online horse betting for the first time, staying updated can give you an edge.
Keep an especially close eye on how the Belmont Stakes odds react to the forecast.
Is a strong top pick for exacta and trifecta bets. He finishes races with a strong closing kick, has a good post position, and comes from a top bloodline. After his performances in the Derby and Santa Anita Derby, it’s easy to see why his name is rising on the 2025 Belmont Stakes odds boards.
Both are great options to include with Baeza in multi-horse bets. Sovereignty comes in fresh after skipping the Preakness, while Journalism is riding momentum after winning it.
Check Sovereignty profile | Check Journalism profile
Is the interesting longshot. He has early speed and a good outside draw. If he avoids a speed battle with Rodriguez and settles just behind the leaders, he could be a sneaky value play in the Belmont Stakes odds and a key name in your horse betting strategy.
Not sure how to bet on Belmont Stakes? BUSR makes it easy with fast deposits, clear odds, and expert tips.
The lineup of Belmont Stakes horses remains unchanged heading into the race. This sets up a rainy but exciting rematch between the Derby's top three: Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baeza. Belmont Stakes post time is still on schedule for 7:04 p.m. ET. As the track begins to dry, it’s possible the Belmont Stakes odds will shift before post time.
Due to rain since Friday, several turf races have been either moved or postponed.
The $1 million Manhattan Stakes (G1) and the $500,000 Jaipur Stakes (G1)—a Breeders’ Cup qualifier—have been postponed to Sunday. These two major turf races were originally set as race 12 and race 9, just before the 157th Belmont Stakes featuring Sovereignty and Journalism going 1¼ miles in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
In addition, four other turf races have been switched to the main dirt track:
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) also released an updated wagering menu to match these changes:
This will be the first sloppy Belmont Stakes track since 2011, and with rain still in the picture, we could see a repeat of the Derby battle between Journalism and Sovereignty—both of whom handled the mud just fine. If you’re looking to bet on Belmont Stakes or sharpen your horse racing betting approach, the ever-changing track conditions and weather updates are key.
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill Road | 10-1 | Wayne Lukas | Irad Ortiz, Jr. |
| Sovereignty | 2-1 | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado |
| Rodriguez | 6-1 | Bob Baffert | Mike Smith |
| Uncaged | 30-1 | Todd Pletcher | Luis Saez |
| Crudo | 15-1 | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez |
| Baeza | 4-1 | Todd Pletcher | Flavien Prat |
| Journalism | 8-5 | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli |
| Heart of Honor (GB) | 30-1 | Jamie Osborne | Saffie Osborne |
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
