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| Staff Writer |
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The field assembling for this year's Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse represents a compelling blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent, with nine previous Belmont victories shared among the experienced contingent while two riders prepare for their debut appearances in America's final Triple Crown contest.
Saratoga's highly rated dirt surface, renowned for playing fair in similar fashion to Churchill Downs, should provide an honest test for the eight-strong jockey lineup. Five of these riders regularly compete during the summer season at the Spa, bringing valuable course knowledge to Saturday's US$2,000,000 contest over one mile and a quarter.
Luis Saez arrives with considerable confidence following his victory twelve months ago aboard 17-1 outsider Dornoch, trained by Danny Gargan. The 33-year-old Panamanian, who captured his first Belmont aboard Essential Quality in 2021, currently ranks among North America's top five jockeys for both victories and prize money earnings this season.
Saez partners Uncaged, trained by Todd Pletcher, making his first acquaintance with the colt in Saturday's contest. The rider's tactical acumen proved decisive in last year's upset victory and his current career-best form suggests another strong performance could materialise.
John Velazquez, the 54-year-old Puerto Rican Hall of Famer, brings unparalleled Belmont experience with 27 previous appearances dating back to 1995. Having missed just one running since 2003, "Johnny V" captured the prize twice, notably guiding the star filly Rags to Riches to victory in 2007 for Pletcher before adding Union Rags in 2012.
The veteran rider maintains his long-standing partnership with Pletcher, taking the reins aboard Crudo after steering the colt through his recent campaign including a Sir Barton Stakes victory on the Preakness undercard three weeks ago.
Junior Alvarado enters with momentum following his breakthrough Triple Crown success aboard Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby, providing Bill Mott with his second victory in America's most prestigious contest. The 39-year-old Venezuelan, whose jockey father influenced his career path, has maintained elite level performance throughout 2025.
Sovereignty bypassed the Preakness Stakes, arriving fresh for Saturday's assignment after five weeks' rest. Alvarado's association with two-time Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wish elevated his national profile during 2022 and 2023, establishing the foundation for his current success alongside Mott's stable.
Irad Ortiz Jr brings exceptional Saratoga credentials, having claimed the leading rider title at six summer meetings including the past three consecutive seasons. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican boasts five Eclipse Awards and two previous Belmont victories, capturing the 2016 edition with Creator before adding Mo Donegal in 2022.
The Chad Brown-trained Hill Road provides Ortiz with a fascinating assignment, the late-running colt having transitioned successfully from European turf racing to American dirt competition since arriving last autumn. A Gr.3 Peter Pan Stakes triumph last month demonstrated his adaptability to local conditions.
Umberto Rispoli seeks to build upon an outstanding Triple Crown campaign that yielded second place in the Kentucky Derby and victory in the Preakness aboard Journalism. The 36-year-old Italian has proclaimed the Mike McCarthy-trained colt as the finest dirt performer he has partnered during his career.
Journalism faces the challenge of competing just three weeks after his Preakness success, contrasting with most rivals who enjoyed extended preparation time. Rispoli has familiarised himself with Saratoga through recent workout sessions and additional mounts during this week's racing festival preceding the Belmont.
Saffie Osborne embarks upon a remarkable American adventure, making her second Triple Crown appearance following Heart of Honor's respectable fifth-place finish in the Preakness three weeks ago. The 23-year-old British rider, daughter of trainer Jamie Osborne and equine artist Katie Osborne, overcame a poor start in Baltimore to showcase the partnership's potential.
The Jamie Osborne-trained Heart of Honor represents British breeding challenging American rivals, with the young jockey's eventing background providing diverse riding experience before transitioning to professional race riding.
Mike Smith may not be a regular Saratoga participant, but the 59-year-old Hall of Famer's big-race expertise requires no introduction. His three previous Belmont victories include Drosselmeyer in 2010, Palace Malice in 2013, and Triple Crown champion Justify in 2018.
The New Mexico native holds Saratoga's track record over one mile and a quarter, achieved aboard Arrogate in the 2016 Gr.1 Travers Stakes in a dominant front-running performance. Smith reunites with Bob Baffert, partnering Gr.2 Wood Memorial Stakes winner Rodriguez, another colt preferring to lead from the outset.
Flavien Prat has established himself as a premier Triple Crown jockey over eight seasons, securing Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories while recording four top-four finishes from four Belmont appearances. The 32-year-old Frenchman claimed his first Eclipse Award following a record-setting 2024 campaign and remains in contention for repeat honours.
John Shirreffs provides Prat with a compelling mount in Baeza, the Kentucky Derby third-place finisher appearing to possess considerable upside and potentially approaching peak performance for Saturday's assignment.
The diverse international flavour and wealth of experience among Saturday's jockey lineup promises compelling competition in this year's Belmont Stakes finale.