Elmont, New York — Sovereignty solidified its status as a top contender in the horse racing world with a commanding victory in the 2025 Belmont Stakes. The triumph not only reaffirmed the horse’s Kentucky Derby win as legitimate but also underscored the strategic decisions made by its trainer.

In a gripping race, Sovereignty pulled ahead of the favored Journalism in the latter half, crossing the finish line several lengths ahead. The win nets Sovereignty’s owners a lucrative $1.2 million from the purse of $2 million. Journalism, finishing in second, received $360,000, while Baeza, who took third, earned $200,000.

The outcome mirrored the results of last month’s Kentucky Derby, where the same three horses finished in identical order. Spectators and bettors alike had anticipated a repeat performance, reflected in the payouts: a $1 exacta returned $6.60, a trifecta yielded $13.80, and a superfecta paid out $40.50.

This marks a significant moment in horseracing, as no horse has achieved victories in two out of three Triple Crown races since Justify in 2018. Sovereignty, notably absent from the Preakness Stakes, chose to bypass the challenge that race presented, instead allowing more time to prepare for Belmont. This decision has turned into a point of speculation for fans and analysts, pondering whether a race in between might have altered results in his favor.

Although skipping the Preakness is not without precedent for Kentucky Derby winners, Sovereignty stands out as the first to secure wins in both the Derby and Belmont without participating in the Preakness. The extra rest seemed advantageous, allowing Sovereignty to execute the strategy laid out by his team.

The race initially saw several longshots surge ahead, including Rodriguez, Uncaged, and Crudo, taking an early lead. Journalism, just like in the Derby, surged forward halfway through the race, but Sovereignty tracked closely and accelerated down the stretch.

The race results were as follows: 1. Sovereignty (5-2), 2. Journalism (2-1), 3. Baeza (7-2), and 4. Rodriguez (6-1). Other notable finishers included Hill Road (14-1), Heart of Honor (20-1), Uncaged (19-1), and Crudo (11-1).

As detailed race analysis continues to roll in, fans are left with a thrilling narrative of what this victory could mean for Sovereignty’s future in horse racing. With the looming presence of future races, the conversation around this exceptional horse is only just beginning.