The 157th Belmont Stakes, held in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Saturday, lived up to its excitement as Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty dominated in muddy conditions to claim victory over Journalism. This marked the final leg of the Triple Crown, and Sovereignty’s victory proved to be another stunning chapter in his remarkable season.
Sovereignty Wins the Belmont Stakes
Sovereignty, with 2-to-1 odds, triumphed in a field of seven competitors, including the Kentucky Derby runner-up, Journalism. The two horses provided a familiar showdown, as they were also the top two finishers in the Derby. Sovereignty finished the race in 2 minutes, 0.69 seconds, beating Journalism by three lengths to capture his second consecutive Triple Crown victory.
The result mirrored the Derby’s top finishers, with Journalism once again claiming second place and Baeza securing third, just as they did in the Kentucky Derby. The rematch between Sovereignty and Journalism was a thrilling replay of the season’s earlier excitement.
Historic Victory for Sovereignty
Sovereignty’s victory at the Belmont Stakes holds historical significance. The 3-year-old bay colt became the first-ever horse to win the Kentucky Derby, skip the Preakness Stakes, and then triumph in the Belmont. The last horse to complete the Triple Crown with victories in both the Derby and the Belmont Stakes was Thunder Gulch in 1995.
Journalism’s Journey
Journalism, who entered the Belmont as the heavy favorite after his Preakness victory, was the only horse to compete in all three legs of the 2023 Triple Crown. Despite his strong performance, he could not close the gap on Sovereignty in the final stretch. This was a repeat of his second-place finish in the Derby, leaving him to settle for second once again.
The Belmont Stakes at Saratoga
This year’s Belmont Stakes was held at Saratoga Race Course for the second consecutive year due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park on Long Island. As a result, the race was run over a shorter distance of 1 1/4 miles instead of the traditional 1 1/2 miles. However, the change did not diminish the excitement, as the race was still thrilling and challenging, with Sovereignty’s victory proving just as impressive.
Jockey Junior Alvarado’s Return
Jockey Junior Alvarado, who rode Sovereignty to victory in the Derby, also took the reins in the Belmont. However, his victory was shadowed by controversy. Alvarado had been fined $62,000 and suspended for two days by the Kentucky Board of Stewards for excessive use of the riding crop in the Derby. The jockey is appealing the decision.
Sovereignty’s victory at the Belmont Stakes added another chapter to his impressive career, cementing his place in history as one of the greats in thoroughbred racing. His ability to dominate despite skipping the Preakness is a testament to his strength and determination.
Journalism, while unable to capture the win, showed resilience as the favorite, finishing strong in second once again. With the Belmont Stakes wrapped up, the 2023 Triple Crown season will be remembered for its competitive races and historic moments.
