Kentucky-breds Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), and Journalism, winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1), headline the field of eight sophomores in Saturday’s 157th running of the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Godolphin homebred Sovereignty closed relentlessly to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 1 ½ lengths over Journalism and Baeza, covering the 1 ¼ miles in 2:03.31 over a sloppy track.
“He’s been good since the race,” said trainer Bill Mott, who saddled Drosselmeyer to win the 2010 Belmont Stakes. “He’s just made good, steady progress; He’s been training well, eating well, and he feels good. So, we are pleased. He has maintained his physical wellbeing quite well since the Derby.”
By Into Mischief, Sovereignty is out of the Bernardini mare Crowned. His second dam is Mushka, who Mott trained to win the 2009 Spinster S. (G1). Godolphin’s Kentucky homebred Essential Quality captured the 2021 Belmont.
Journalism Enters Belmont in Sharp Form
Journalism ran back two weeks after his runner-up finish in the Derby and took down top prize in the Preakness S. (G1) by a half-length over Gosger. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the son of Curlin was in tight in the upper stretch of the Preakness but muscled through rivals nearing the three-sixteenths under Umberto Rispoli en route to a hard-fought victory.
“The Preakness victory speaks for itself,” said McCarthy, who seeks his first Belmont Stakes win after finishing third with Rombauer in 2021. “The horse and rider were obviously very brave. He seems like he bounced out of it well and is enjoying himself up here.”
An $825,000 purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Journalism is campaigned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. Don Alberto Corporation bred Journalism.
Baeza Seeking to Make History in the Belmont Stakes
Baeza finished third in the Kentucky Derby and was gaining on the top duo late. Trained by John Shirreffs, the son of McKinzie drew into the Derby as an also-eligible.
“Baeza shipped in really well to Saratoga,” noted Shirreffs, who sent out Tiago to a third-place finish in the 2007 Belmont Stakes. “Right now, I’m very happy with how things are. He really stepped up in the Derby when not having the best of trips. He didn’t get out in time and then made a really good run.
“I think we need a good trip,” he added. “Somewhere in this race, we need something to happen that is a positive that gives our horse an opportunity to win. In these kinds of races, that is always what you are looking for.”
Baeza is out of 2024 Broodmare of the Year Puca and is a half-brother to last year’s Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch and to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage. The $1.2 million purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale looks to follow in Dornoch’s footsteps to become half-siblings to win consecutive Belmonts, like Jazil and Rags to Riches in 2006-07.