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| Staff Writer |
Sovereignty delivered a commanding performance to capture the 157th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse, completing a rare Kentucky Derby-Belmont Stakes double that hasn't been achieved since Thunder Gulch in 1995. Bill Mott's bay colt, ridden by Junior Alvarado, dominated the mile and a quarter contest to defeat Journalism and Baeza, exactly replicating the Kentucky Derby finishing order from five weeks earlier.
The Godolphin homebred's victory marked a significant triumph for the operation, with the son of Into Mischief proving his Derby success was no fluke. The decision to bypass the Preakness Stakes proved inspired as Sovereignty used the five-week break to devastating effect, powering past Journalism in the stretch just as he had done at Churchill Downs.
"I thought it was a repeat of what happened before," said winning trainer Mott after his second Belmont triumph. "(Junior Alvarado) ducked in behind Journalism and from the half-mile pole to the wire it was a replay of the Kentucky Derby."
While the second Belmont Stakes at Saratoga lacked the drama of a Triple Crown bid, the budding rivalry between Sovereignty and Journalism added considerable importance to a day that saw crowds of 46,243. The race also featured a horse winning two legs of the Triple Crown for the first time since 2018 when Justify became the 13th Triple Crown champion.
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The eight-horse field assembled an elite cast featuring compelling storylines beyond the headline rivalry. Rodriguez, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith, returned after being scratched from the Kentucky Derby with a foot bruise. The Gr.2 Wood Memorial Stakes winner set early pace alongside Crudo but could never threaten the principals.
Chad Brown's Hill Road entered following his Peter Pan Stakes victory with Irad Ortiz Jr aboard but could never land a meaningful blow despite the trainer's stellar record. Todd Pletcher saddled two runners in his quest for a record-extending fifth Belmont victory. Crudo, co-owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, showed early speed under John Velazquez before tiring, while longshot Uncaged never featured prominently.
The most intriguing international entry came from Heart of Honor, who carried British hopes under Saffie Osborne. The partnership sought to create history, with Osborne attempting to become the first woman to win a Triple Crown race since Julie Krone's remarkable 1993 Belmont triumph aboard Colonial Affair. Unfortunately, the British-bred dropped back early and never threatened.
Baeza completed the field as a familiar face, having finished third in both the Kentucky Derby and now the Belmont Stakes. The John Shirreffs-trained son of McKinzie rallied from sixth to claim third under Flavien Prat, though connections acknowledged the colt remains a work in progress.
As expected, Rodriguez and Crudo set the early pace through splits of 47.60 and 1:12.20, with Sovereignty tracking in fifth position after six furlongs. The tactical setup played perfectly into Alvarado's hands.
"I was very happy where I was," Alvarado explained. "I was forwardly placed and able to see where everyone was. He was very ready today and right when we were turning for home, I put him in the clear and gave him the cue. He was sensational today."
Approaching the quarter pole, Rispoli made his move aboard Journalism, surging past a tiring Rodriguez to take the lead. Journalism led by half a length with a furlong remaining, but once again could not fend off Sovereignty's sustained challenge. The Godolphin homebred powered past his rival in the final furlong, ultimately crossing the wire with a commanding three-length margin. Sovereignty covered the mile and one quarter in 2:00.69.
Mott's decision to skip the Preakness Stakes proved masterful, allowing Sovereignty to arrive fresh and ready for another career-defining performance. The trainer's patient approach contrasted sharply with connections who opted to campaign their horses through all three Triple Crown races.
"This was the race we pointed to after the Kentucky Derby and fortunately it worked out very well," Mott explained. "I am sure we would have taken some criticism today if he had gotten beaten and we didn't run in the Preakness. But it worked out. The horse was good. Junior rode him with a lot of confidence. When he cut him loose, the horse responded and got the job done."
The strategic skip allowed Sovereignty to maintain his edge over Journalism, who had campaigned through the Preakness Stakes where he delivered a stupendous victory. Godolphin's racing manager Michael Banahan praised the colt's ability to reproduce his best form when it mattered most.
"He's shown what a great horse he is," Banahan said. "Journalism, obviously, is an exceptional horse, a Preakness winner. And to run him down today again after doing it in the Derby as well, shows just how good of a horse he is."
Godolphin made sure to celebrate both classic victories properly, with numerous team members venturing from Kentucky to Saratoga Springs. "I think it's important to be able to celebrate these occasions," Banahan said. "We actually did a little Derby celebration because we hadn't had a chance to get together with Bill and his team, and Junior."
The triumph boosted Sovereignty's earnings to US$4,872,800 and represented his fourth victory in seven career starts, establishing him as the undisputed leader of the 3YO male division.
While Sovereignty claimed the glory, Journalism's connections could take immense pride in their colt's valiant effort throughout the entire Triple Crown series. The son of Curlin, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and partners, had contested all three classics with distinction.
Michael McCarthy acknowledged the difference in preparation while maintaining pride in his charge's performance. "You'd have to think so, anytime a horse of (Sovereignty's) calibre gets five weeks off," McCarthy said. "They chose what to do what was best for their horse and we chose to do what was best for ours. We were second best and I could not be prouder of my horse."
Jockey Umberto Rispoli was equally gracious in defeat, embracing Alvarado while both riders remained mounted after the race. "The only thing I can say is it's the freshness," said Rispoli. "He's a warrior. He ran in all three legs. The other one (Sovereignty) got five weeks to recover. But there is no excuse. Obviously, the fresh horse won, but he's a great horse."
The festival featured 27 stakes races worth US$11,275,000 across five days. Wednesday's opening card highlighted seven stakes exclusively for New York-breds, alongside the Gr.1 Beverly R. Steinman steeplechase where Proven Innocent produced a thrilling late surge under Freddie Procter.
Spinning Colors maintained her perfect Saratoga record with a commanding victory in the Mount Vernon Stakes under John Velazquez, while Train the Trainer announced himself as a horse to follow in the Mike Lee Stakes under Irad Ortiz Jr.
Thursday's juvenile action saw Mythical announce herself as a filly of serious potential with a commanding victory over males in the Listed Tremont Stakes, earning a stellar 93 Beyer Speed Figure. The Jorge Delgado-trained daughter of St Patrick's Day controlled the contest from pillar to post under Emisael Jaramillo.
"That other filly looked lightning fast and would have pressed her much harder," explained Arindel president Brian Cohen. "We wanted to pick the right spot for her second race and this seemed perfect."
Friday's exceptional programme delivered six graded stakes, headlined by the US$750,000 Gr.1 New York Stakes. The Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap provided another highlight as Raging Torrent delivered a commanding performance for trainer Doug O'Neill, who described the 4YO as "a once-in-a-lifetime kind of horse" after his victory against Fierceness under Frankie Dettori.
La Cara rebounded from a disappointing Kentucky Oaks effort with a front-running victory in the Gr.1 Acorn Stakes under Dylan Davis. "The Kentucky Oaks was disappointing," acknowledged trainer Mark Casse, "but we never lost faith in her."
Manhattan Stakes Provides Emotional Climax
The rescheduled Manhattan Stakes provided a fitting emotional climax to the festival, with Miguel Clement savoring Deterministic's narrow victory just two weeks after his father's death. The 4YO son of Liam's Map held off Integration's late challenge in the US$1 million contest.
The victory carried profound personal significance as Christophe Clement had captured the Manhattan three times previously. "Dad's won it many, many times. He even won it once when everyone thought the stablemate should have won it, Gio Ponti. Winchester turned the tables on him," reflected Miguel Clement. "I suppose it's only fitting I did the same."
Kendrick Carmouche delivered a masterful front-running ride aboard Deterministic. "He was into his stride like I had him at Aqueduct; just an amazing horse," said Carmouche, celebrating his second Group One victory and first on turf. "I'm just very happy for Miguel Clement and his family. His daddy left him a legacy, and he's going to make sure he stays strong with it."
Sovereignty's Derby-Belmont double establishes him as the season's leading 3YO and opens intriguing possibilities for future engagements. "The Travers is a very special race," Banahan said. "We've won it before. I don't think Bill has and it would be great for him to do it."
McCarthy spoke of the Breeders' Cup Classic as a potential meeting point with Sovereignty, saying, "Let's hope everyone stays happy and healthy. We'll see him at Del Mar in the Breeders' Cup Classic in our backyard."
For Alvarado, the triumph marked his first Belmont success in his fourth attempt. Scott Jordan had the distinction of serving as starter for both the Derby and the Belmont Stakes this year, following his job change from Churchill Downs to the
For the first time since Justify's Triple Crown sweep in 2018, United States racing celebrated a repeat classic winner, with Sovereignty ending a stretch of 20 different classic winners. The achievement underscored the colt's class and confirmed his status as the undisputed leader of the 3YO male division, setting up potential autumn showdowns that could define the season's championship races.
With Belmont Park's reopening scheduled for September 2026, this year likely marks Saratoga's final hosting of the Test of the Champion. The festival's success highlighted the quality and depth of American racing while providing Godolphin with their most significant domestic triumph in recent memory.