The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes unfolded on Saturday evening, marking the end of the 2025 Triple Crown race series. For the second time in three races, Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pushed past Journalism down the final stretch to claim the victory.

The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes belongs to Sovereignty! Sunday's final leg of the Triple Crown pitted Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty against Preakness Stakes champion Journalism in a 1 1/4 mile rematch of their early May showdown at Churchill Downs.

After the Derby win, the Godolphin-owned 3-year-old opted out of the Preakness Stakes to focus on the Belmont, forfeiting a shot at history to win the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown hasn’t been won since 2018, when Bob Baffert’s Justify won the 105th Belmont Stakes to secure the third jewel.