For all the talk about the twists and turns in the 2025 Triple Crown, it pretty much ended just as it started.
For Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Sovereignty, skipping the Preakness Stakes (G1) after he collared Journalism in the stretch and won the Run for the Roses by 1 1/2 lengths with Baeza third.
For Journalism, coming back in the Preakness and winning the middle leg of the Triple Crown in stupendous fashion.
For all the talk of Sovereignty having five weeks of rest and Journalism having just three for their June 7 rematch in the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
For all of that, the Belmont unfolded just like the Kentucky Derby. Journalism got first run and led in the stretch before Sovereignty powered past him and crossed the wire a clear winner.
This time, Godolphin's homebred Sovereignty notched a three-length victory over Journalism with Baeza third, just as he was in the Kentucky Derby. That accounted for a larger margin of victory than on the first Saturday in May and confirmed the son of Into Mischief 's role as the undisputed leader of the 3-year-old male division.
"I thought it was a repeat of what happened before," winning trainer Bill Mott said. "(Jockey 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 some sizzle and importance to a day that saw a crowd of 46,243 jam the Spa and produced a total handle of $101,861,883. It also featured a race that saw a horse win two legs of the Triple Crown for the first time since 2018 when Justify became the 13th Triple Crown champion.
Of course, Sovereignty's win opened the door for the inevitable array of "what ifs." What if Sovereignty had run in the Preakness? Would he have been the 14th Triple Crown winner?
"This was the race we pointed to after the Kentucky Derby and fortunately it worked out very well," Mott said after his second Belmont win. "I am sure we would have taken some criticism today if he had gotten beat 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. I feel we beat a good field of horses."
Of course, from the other perspective, Michael McCarthy, Journalism's trainer, felt the difference in rest and races over the course of the last five weeks since the May 3 Kentucky Derby made the difference in the mile-and-a-quarter version of the "Test of the Champion."
"You'd have to think (so), anytime a horse of (Sovereignty's) caliber gets five weeks off," McCarthy said when asked about the difference in spacing. "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.
"(Sovereignty) is a very good horse. He trains up here. He's been up here for a while. He's in his backyard. Let's hope everyone stays happy and healthy. We'll see him at Del Mar (in the Breeders' Cup Classic) in our backyard."
Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who rode Journalism, said the son of Curlin "got beat by a fresh horse."
"The only thing I can say is it's the freshness," said Rispoli, who embraced Alvarado while they were both on their horses after the race. "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. He's beaten me twice. Sovereignty was much the best today. There's nothing to say."
Contested on a track rated fast despite heavy rain earlier in the day, the Belmont attracted a field of eight, top heavy with the top three finishers from the Kentucky Derby. Journalism, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore partners, was a slight 2-1 favorite over 5-2 second choice Sovereignty ($7).
As expected, Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) winner Rodriguez set the early pace with Crudo chasing through splits of :47.60 and 1:12.20. Approaching the quarter pole, Rispoli made his move for the front and surged past a tiring Rodriguez. Behind him Alvarado and Sovereignty followed after being fifth after six furlongs.
"I was very happy where I was," Alvarado said. "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."
Journalism led by a half-length with a furlong left, but once again could not fend off Sovereignty, who covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.69.
"He's shown what a great horse he is," said Godolphin USA's director of bloodstock Michael Banahan. "Journalism, obviously, is an exceptional horse, a Preakness winner. And to run him down today again after doing in the Derby as well, shows just how good of a horse he is."
Journalism was 3 1/2 lengths ahead of C R K Stable and breeder Grandview Equine's Baeza. A son of McKinzie trained by John Shirreffs, Baeza rallied from sixth to place to finish third for the second time in the Triple Crown.
Though McCarthy spoke of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), an earlier spot for a rematch would be the Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 23 at the Spa.
"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."
The win was the fourth in seven starts for Sovereignty and boosted his earnings to $4,872,800.
