Belmont Stakes Odds, Picks, Horses, and Preview

The Belmont Stakes Odds is scheduled for Saturday at 7:04 p.m. ET, closing out this year’s Triple Crown series. Without a horse chasing the sweep, attention shifts to a competitive field of fresh contenders, each bringing different conditions, pedigrees, and recent results. Journalism enters as the 8-5 favorite, while longshots like Uncaged raise questions about whether past bloodlines can help influence race-day outcomes.

Both Journalism and Uncaged come from Curlin, a big name in horse racing. Curlin won seven top races, one being the 2007 Preakness Stakes. Journalism has kept a steady pace and has good ends, while Uncaged joins the 2025 Belmont Stakes after placing sixth in the Peter Pan Stakes, with odds at 30-1. Their recent runs show that good roots alone don’t set or shift Belmont Stakes odds.

This year, the Belmont Stakes 2025 will cover 1 1/4 miles, not the usual 1 1/2 miles because of work on the track. Often the longest race in the Triple Crown, this cut may change how racers set their speed. Horses good in shorter trips might do well, changing how people bet on their Belmont Stakes odds.

Journalism has spot 4. His past runs hold a strong second at the Wood Memorial, where he picked up speed late. This, with solid training this week, backs him as a good bet for Belmont Stakes. With a shorter race now, his late run skills and way to handle early speed might suit the current Belmont Stakes odds well.

Sierra Leone drew post No. 6 and holds 3-1 Belmont Stakes Odds. He finished a narrow second in the Kentucky Derby and did not race in the Preakness, a decision aimed at keeping him well-timed for Belmont. Sierra Leone’s past races have involved strong pacing and a steady finish, making him a solid contender for bettors focusing on value without turning too far from the top of the board.

Uncaged, set to start from slot No. 10, had odds of 30-1 at the Belmont Stakes 2025. He won two of his first three races, but came in sixth in the Peter Pan Stakes, making some ask how he does against tough foes. Yet, for those looking at longshot Belmont Stakes picks, Uncaged’s family line might play a big part. Though not a top Belmont Stakes picks for the race, his roots and the long track could lead some to bet on him in bigger bets.

Protective, with 12-1 Belmont Stakes Odds, may appeal to bettors looking beyond the top three. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he’s coming off a steady performance in the Blue Grass Stakes and has handled pressure well when racing among deeper fields. The shorter race length may play to his strengths, especially if the early pace slows down.

Mindframe enters with 9-2 Belmont Stakes Odds and some growing attention. Lightly raced but regarded by insiders as having strong raw ability, his team has been selective about where he races. That patience may signal confidence in his potential. He’ll likely attract attention from those seeking a balance between experience and upside.

The Belmont Stakes has produced several upsets in recent years. While favorites often perform well, this track tends to allow strong mid-pack horses a chance to finish late, especially if the pace upfront burns out. Exactas, trifectas, and boxed wagers that include a favorite alongside one or two value options have historically returned solid payouts.

Michelle Yu, a well-known racing analyst, advises looking closely at horses whose past performances reflect consistency over hype. She cautions against relying on pedigree alone and stresses the importance of recent timing and post position.

The Belmont Stakes 2025 brings together a field shaped more by opportunity than by storyline. With no Triple Crown on the line, this race may produce a new headline horse. Journalism enters with the most support, but others, including Sierra Leone, Mindframe, and Protective, offer plenty of reasons to be considered. Bettors seeking higher returns might find potential in horses like Uncaged, but recent form and current conditioning will remain deciding factors.

Post positions, race length adjustments, and track conditions on Saturday are all likely to influence how the race plays out. With several horses well-matched on paper, the final leg of the Triple Crown could come down to tactics, timing, and which horse can sustain effort through the final stretch.