Speed vs. Stamina: Which Contenders Have What It Takes for Belmont’s Grueling Distance?

The Belmont Stakes is happening this Saturday at Saratoga. At 1½ miles, it demands both explosive speed and ironclad stamina. Which of the contenders have what it takes?

Mike Lizzi from Nassau County , USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Belmont Stakes is no ordinary test. At 1½ miles, it demands both explosive speed and ironclad stamina. In 2025, renovations set the race back to Saratoga to June 7. Not every Kentucky Derby or Preakness runner can handle the stretch. Some rely on raw gate-to-wire pace. Others dig in deep and grind down rivals.

With that said, here are five confirmed contenders that’ll have fans and spectators excited. Read on to find out which horse brings the heat, which one paces for the long haul, and which blends both elements for a winning formula.

Journalism’s Front-Running Prowess

Journalism exploded from the gate in the Preakness, seizing the lead and setting fractions that echo Belmont’s legendary speedsters. He then handled Derby traffic with surgical precision, proving his early dash wasn’t a one-off stunt. That kind of gate-to-wire firepower demands respect.

His Saratoga workouts only amplify the buzz. He’s blistered five furlongs in 59.8 seconds on the inner track, and jockey Robby Albarado raves about his “electric feel” through tighter turns. That buzz has rippled into online horse betting, where his odds have shortened in response to those bullet breezes. Bred for sprinting, he’s tailor-made for ovals like this.

Yet history warns against an all-out early burn. Trainer Tim Glyshaw plans softer breaks alongside a rabbit horse and strategic gate draws to safeguard his finish. Nail that balance, and Journalism’s “catch-me-if-you-can” style could become an uncatchable finale.

Rodriguez’s Tactical Speed

Rodriguez arrives at Belmont with a fresh face and forward-running style. He broke his maiden in the Wood Memorial and has since shown he can handle early pressure under Hall of Famer Mike Smith.

According to Thoroughbred Daily News, Sovereignty “tuned up for the Belmont Stakes with a four-furlong breeze in 49.76 at the Spa on May 17.” His ability to clear the pack early will let him dictate pace on Saratoga’s tighter turns. If he can maintain those fractions without gasping for breath, he could force others to run faster than they want.

Mike Smith’s Belmont record speaks volumes. He’s won this race three times and knows how to coax early leaders through the critical middle section. With Rodriguez, he’ll aim to preserve enough energy for the stretch. Nail that balance, and this lightly raced contender could shock the veterans.

Hill Road’s Sustained Gallop

Hill Road showcased his staying power in the Peter Pan Stakes, breezing five furlongs in 48.75 seconds on Belmont’s training track without breaking a sweat. That effortless heat hinted at his ability to carry speed over distance. He’ll aim to tuck in just off the early pace on race day, saving his best for the stretch.

Trainer Chad Brown added blinkers to sharpen his focus in traffic and switched to a lighter shoe package for better traction on the tighter turns. Jockey Flavien Prat praises his “fluid action” and “quiet mind,” which help him relax mid-race.

Belmont’s sweeping turns and forgiving turns reward that long-striding style. Hill Road can conserve energy along the rail before angling out for a clear run. His rhythm could power him past the frontrunners if the early bullets flame out. Timing that sustained gallop into a late charge is his ticket to a decisive finish.

Sovereignty’s Explosive Kick

Sovereignty blends stalking tactics with a devastating closing kick. The fastest barn work this spring came when Sovereignty covered five furlongs in 1:02.54 at Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track. This was the quickest from any stablemate this season. That burst over the closing stretch mirrors past Belmont heroes who pounced on fading leaders.

A son of Into Mischief, he inherits both speed and acceleration in his bloodline. Trainer Linda Rice has dialled in his gate work, emphasizing controlled early fractions. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. praises his ability to relax behind rivals and switch gears on command.

On Saratoga’s denser surface, clear running lanes are vital. He needs room between the three- and four-furlong poles to unleash that turn-of-foot. Timing the move perfectly, settling early, then exploding as others wilt, will make him lethal in the stretch.

Baeza’s Dual Edge

Baeza’s connections took an unconventional path, skipping the Preakness to focus entirely on Belmont preparation. Those extra five weeks allowed a refined conditioning program.

He posted a triple-digit Equibase figure (101) when finishing third in the sloppy Derby, showcasing his versatility on off-tracks. That adaptability will serve him well if Saratoga’s surface takes on extra moisture or harbors kickback.

Trainer John Shirreffs tailored his routine with long, stamina-building gallops over the training track. He then mixed in sharp five-furlong moves clocked in 60.2 seconds on the main oval. This combination forged a horse that can grind through sustained tempos yet still unleash a late burst. It’s a regimen aimed at mastering both the Belmont’s marathon distance and Saratoga’s tighter turns.

Photo by James Anthony from Pexels

The Decisive Moment

The real story begins when those gates fling open. Early fractions mean little if you can’t sustain the march or time you burst. Watch how the pace morphs and who seizes the opening. That’s where champions are born, right in the heat of the stretch.