The 2025 Belmont Stakes is set for June 7 at Saratoga Race Course, with a potentially small but talented field. Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, is the favorite at 8-5, followed closely by Preakness Stakes winner Journalism at 9-5. Notably, neither horse is trained by Bob Baffert, though his influence may still be felt through trainer Rodriguez, who is a 6-1 contender.

Expert Jody Demling, known for his accurate predictions in previous Triple Crown races, is offering insights and betting picks for the Belmont Stakes. Despite the strong performances of Sovereignty and Journalism, Demling is not backing either horse to win, citing the race’s shortened distance of 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga, which could favor longshot contenders.

Demling emphasizes the unpredictability of the race, including potential weather impacts, and suggests that bettors consider alternative horses for better value. His top pick is an underdog he believes could offer the best return, and he shares his complete projected leaderboard for the race on SportsLine.