SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Sovereignty outran Journalism on Saturday in a Kentucky Derby rematch within the 157th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, the race as soon as once more showcasing the perfect in horse racing.
Like final 12 months, it featured the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winners.
Nonetheless, in contrast to final 12 months and for the primary time since 2018, a kind of two gained to safe two of the three legs of the Triple Crown.
“I believe they’re three actually good horses,” Sovereignty coach Invoice Mott mentioned. “I’m glad [Sovereignty] was in a position to come again and have a race like he did within the Derby.”
It was the second Belmont win for Mott. He spends most of his summer time tending to his horses at Saratoga, so profitable the Belmont at Saratoga was further particular.
“That is dwelling,” Mott mentioned. “It’s the race we have been pointing for after the Derby, and happily it labored out very nicely. … The horse was good.”
It was the second Belmont at Saratoga, with renovations being made to its common dwelling at Belmont Park on Lengthy Island.
Rodriguez, who made his Triple Crown debut, burst out and led the sphere of eight within the 1 1/4- mile race till the highest of the stretch when Journalism made a surge.
Adopted intently behind was Sovereignty, with jockey Junior Alverado aboard. He caught Journalism nearly immediately and ran away with it.
The 5-2 second favourite completed in 2:00.69, beating Preakness winner Journalism by three lengths.
“He broke very nicely once more at present like he’s been doing,” Alverado mentioned. “He put himself in a great place. I used to be somewhat shocked how shut, however on the identical time, I’m proud of how simply he was doing every part. As a jockey, I used to be very comfortable the place he was.”
Journalism ended up in second once more, and Baeza was third — the identical 1-2-3 because the Kentucky Derby.
Journalism, the one horse to run in all three legs, entered the gate on the Belmont because the 2-1 favourite, with Baeza the third favourite at 7-2.
Sovereignty paid $7 to win, $3.20 to position and $2.30 to point out. Journalism returned $3.20 and $2.30, and Baeza paid $2.60.
Sovereignty led off the primary leg of the Triple Crown by profitable the Derby in early Could. The colt additionally edged Journalism in that race.
After the Derby win, the Godolphin-owned 3-year-old opted out of the Preakness to concentrate on the Belmont, forfeiting a shot at historical past to win the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown hasn’t been gained since 2018 when Bob Baffert’s Justify gained the a hundred and fifth Belmont Stakes to safe the third jewel.
Regardless of profitable each legs of the Triple Crown that Sovereignty entered, Mott and Godolphin’s Michael Banahan didn’t remorse not working him within the Preakness Stakes.
“I believe should you depart the races out of it, it’s what was the best factor to do for the horse,” Banahan mentioned. “That’s what we talked about: What was the best factor for the horse to do going ahead?”
One of many causes Mott and Godolphin skipped the Preakness was that they didn’t wish to exhaust the horse and wished an extended future for the 3-year-old.
There are a few stakes races later in the summertime for 3-year-olds, however the principle one is on the finish of the 12 months, the Travers Stakes.
The Travers, on the finish of the Saratoga meet, may very well be one other loaded discipline and probably one other rematch between Journalism and Sovereignty.
“I’d love to return again and take a crack on the Travers in August,” Mott mentioned. “It’s a race I’ve by no means gained, however I believe it’s an important race for a 3-year-old like Sovereignty. I believe if he’s wholesome, all people would most likely lend a hand that’s the race we might level to.”
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