The running of the 2025 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets was an unforgettable one. The race was a rubber match between Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reseve winner Sovereignty and Preakness Stakes winner Journalism in front of a packed house at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 7 in the third jewel of the Triple Crown. In the end, it was all Sovereignty as the Derby winner extended to a three-length win with Journalism settling for second and Baeza in third.

Read the post-race quotes from the trainers and jockeys who competed in the Belmont Stakes as they commented on their trips and how their horses fared.

Bill Mott, trainer of winner Sovereignty: “This is home. It’s the race we were pointing for after the Derby and fortunately it worked out very well. I’m sure we would have taken some criticism had he gotten beat today and he hadn’t run in the Preakness, but it worked out. The horse was good. Junior rode him well. He had a lot of confidence in him and when he cut him loose the horse responded and got the job done.

“I feel we beat a good field of horses. Journalism is a really good horse. I’ve watched him here this last week and I’ve looked at him – he’s in good form, he looks great, his hair is good and his weight is good. I think he was ready to run today and he ran a good race, you know…Sovereignty was good enough to run him down and get the job done.”

Junior Alvarado aboard Sovereignty. (Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire)

Junior Alvarado, jockey of winner Sovereignty: “He broke very well today again like he’s [been] doing. He put himself in a good spot. I was a little shocked at how close, but at the same time [happy with] how easily he was doing everything. As a jockey, I was very happy where I was. I was forwardly placed and able to see where everybody [was] – Journalism on the outside, Rodriguez right up front, I got to see Johnny’s horse [Velazquez, aboard Crudo] – I had eyes everywhere at that point. I didn’t have to make up too much ground because he was close to the pace. He was very ready today and right when we were turning for home, I put him in the clear and gave him the cue and he was just sensational today.

“Journalism ran a great race again. A horse that runs in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness and comes back again today, I give him a lot of credit for doing that and he showed up. He’s a very tough horse, too. But today was Sovereignty’s day again.

“It was pretty much like the Derby. Once I got the chance to put him right behind Journalism, just to make sure he has a target turning for home. I know he likes to fight and likes to see what he’s supposed to do. That’s what I did. Turning for home, I followed him a little bit, put him in the clear and just like he did in the Derby, he just went by [Journalism] again. He was very exceptional today. I couldn’t believe how much horse I had the whole way around today.”

Michael McCarthy, trainer of runner-up Journalism: “Look, anytime good horses get space in between their races, they are very, very dangerous. He [Sovereignty] is a very good horse, he trains up here, he's been up here for a while, he's in his backyard. Let's hope everybody stays happy and healthy, and we'll see him in Del Mar hopefully in November, in our backyard. I can't say enough good things about that horse or about my horse. It has been a fantastic experience.

(R-L) Sovereignty, Journalism, Baeza (Jason Moran/Eclipse Sportswire)

“He’s a fantastic horse. He’s done what very few horses can do, three races in five weeks, Triple Crown races, [and finished] second, first, second. Take nothing away from him. He’s very, very good.”

About a potential start in the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on August 23: "It is possible, yeah, you have to think about it." 

Umberto Rispoli, jockey of runner-up Journalism: “Perfect trip. I was lucky to be on the outside today to take the chance. I would say he had a little bit of a stumble coming out of the gate, but I don't think it would've been an excuse that affected anything. I had a good trip. I was running down the lane, Junior [Alvarado] was just coming by, easing past, so the only thing I can say is probably the freshness. He [Journalism] is a warrior, he ran in three legs. He [Sovereignty] ran in one and had five weeks to recover, but that's no excuse today. Obviously, I would say the fresh horse won, but he's a great horse, he beat me already. He beat me twice. Always about circumstances, but I will still be on my horse, and he is going to be good going down the line.

"I didn't feel a lack of energy. I turned for home and was running, so I had the momentum, I had everything, I'm waiting, I had the two targets ahead of me until the quarter-pole. I press on the button at the right moment and listen, today Sovereignty was much the best.”

Flavien Prat, jockey of third-place Baeza: “When I was trying to get going, I just wasn’t going anywhere. It took him a long time to get going and then he made a run, but it wasn’t enough. I hope he gets over this. He was a bit on and off, but I don’t feel like I had much of an excuse.”

Mike Smith, jockey fourth-place Rodriguez: “Great trip, but man they finished so strong dude. It was a great race. Really good horses those two [Sovereignty] and [Journalism]."