• Associated Press

Jun 2, 2025, 06:21 PM ET

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Kentucky Derby runner-up and

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    “We’ve been very lucky with everything that’s gone on since he’s been here,” Mott said. “He’s been moving well over the track.”

    Sovereignty and Journalism in the field set up this Belmont, the second at Saratoga while renovations are made to its usual home on Long Island, to be a rematch between the first two Triple Crown winners who were also first and second in the Derby.

    “He’s improved, as I think as many of these horses have,” Mott said of Sovereignty. “I think this entire group, if you look at their form and the way they’ve developed over the course of this year, I think they’ve made steady progress and it should be an interesting race.”

    No. 6 Baeza, who finished third in Kentucky on the first Saturday in May, opened at 4-1. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s Rodriguez, who was scratched from the Derby because of a minor foot bruise and held out of the Preakness, was next at 6-1 and will leave the starting gate from the No. 3 post.

    The field of eight horses also includes No. 8 Heart of Honor, tied for the longest shot on the board at 30-1 after finishing fifth in the Preakness. New to the Triple Crown trail are No. 1 Hill Road (10-1), No. 5 Crudo (15-1) and No. 4 Uncaged (30-1).

    Journalism, who was favorited in the Derby and the Preakness, and at the moment is the top 3-year-old in the country, looks like the horse to beat.

    “Saratoga is very good for horses,” McCarthy said. “He seems a little bit reenergized up here. We’re looking for a wonderful renewal of the Belmont here on Saturday.”