Belmont Stakes Odds and Jockey Power Rankings
Belmont Stakes Odds for Jockeys
Who Holds the Reins to Glory at Saratoga?
The 2025 Belmont Stakes is about far more than just the horses; it’s a battle of strategy, instincts, and composure from the riders who will pilot these stars around one of the fairest and most historic dirt tracks in America.
When you bet on Belmont, you’re not just backing a horse; you’re trusting the hands that guide it, and this year’s field is full of veteran legends and rising international talent. With shifting Belmont Stakes odds and a wide-open race, understanding the jockey matchups could be the secret weapon for your Belmont Stakes betting strategy.
There are nine Belmont victories among this year’s riders, and for two of them, this race will mark their Belmont debut. Five of the eight will ride horses at a track where they spend their summers chasing the Saratoga riding title.
While experience matters, history has shown that anything can happen in the final leg of the Triple Crown, especially when a fresh jockey seizes the moment. Here’s a sensational, confidence-fueled power ranking of the 2025 Belmont Stakes jockeys from first to last, based on form, experience, connections, and that intangible spark that wins classics.
1st: Irad Ortiz Jr. (Hill Road 10-1)
The king of Saratoga returns to his throne. Irad Ortiz Jr. is riding better than ever and knows every inch of the Spa’s main track. He’s won the Belmont twice already, once with Creator in 2016 and again in 2022 aboard Mo Donegal, and he’s been the leading rider at Saratoga for three consecutive summers.
This year, he partners with Hill Road, a colt peaking at the right time after an impressive win in the Peter Pan Stakes. Ortiz’s mastery of dirt, elite instincts, and commanding tactical awareness put him at the top of this list. He knows how to time a closing run better than anyone, and if Hill Road is good enough, Irad will get him there.
2nd: Umberto Rispoli (Journalism 8-5)
There are no nerves in Rispoli’s reins. Though he’s never ridden in a Belmont before, he enters the race with a full head of momentum after steering Journalism to a decisive win in the Preakness Stakes. The Italian-born, California-based rider has called Journalism the best dirt horse he’s ever ridden, and that confidence is infectious.
Rispoli finished second in the Kentucky Derby, then delivered in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown with a patient, surgical ride. Despite lacking experience at Saratoga, he’s been working in Journalism over the track and riding in undercard races this week to prepare. This is the jockey-horse combo with the most momentum heading into Saturday, and that’s dangerous.
3rd: Flavien Prat (Baeza 4-1)
One of the most polished and composed jockeys in North America, Flavien Prat is overdue for a Belmont breakthrough. He’s finished second, third, and fourth in four prior tries, and now rides a horse capable of delivering him that elusive win. Prat’s partnership with Baeza, who closed with authority for third in the Kentucky Derby, is perfectly timed.
The Frenchman won the 2019 Kentucky Derby (via disqualification), the Preakness in 2021, and after a record-setting 2024 season, he took home his first Eclipse Award. Baeza is primed for a breakout, and Prat’s tactical ability could make all the difference in what may become a strategic chess match up front.
4th: John Velazquez (Crudo 15-1)
Johnny V is a Belmont icon. A two-time winner of the race with Rags to Riches and Union Rags, the Hall of Famer has ridden in the Belmont a staggering 27 times. He’s teamed up with fellow Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher once again, this time aboard Crudo, a front-running colt looking to stretch out beyond his comfort zone.
Velazquez has been aboard for all of Crudo’s starts, including a win in the Sir Barton Stakes on Preakness day. If Crudo wants the lead early, there’s nobody more qualified to ration out his speed than Velazquez. His experience will keep Crudo in the race longer than expected, and if the pace backs up, anything is possible.
5th: Mike Smith (Rodriguez 6-1)
You want big-race nerves of steel? Look no further than “Big Money Mike.” At 59 years old, Smith remains one of the most revered classic riders in the world. With three Belmont wins under his belt, Drosselmeyer, Palace Malice, and Triple Crown winner Justify, Smith brings undeniable gravitas.
He’ll be piloting the Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez, the likely pacesetter. If Smith can replicate his front-running magic from the 2016 Travers with Arrogate, the field could be in serious trouble. But the key for Rodriguez will be shaking off Crudo early and keeping just enough in the tank to hold off closers. That’s a tall order, but if anyone can pull off the escape, it’s Smith.
6th: Junior Alvarado (Sovereignty 2-1)
Fresh off a Kentucky Derby win with Sovereignty, Junior Alvarado is riding as well as he ever has. The Venezuelan native broke through to national prominence as the regular rider of fan-favorite Cody’s Wish, and his Triple Crown campaign with Sovereignty has been perfectly executed, skipping the Preakness to bring a fresh horse into the Belmont.
Still, Alvarado’s record in the Belmont is modest, with his best finish being sixth in 2012. He’s not known as a Saratoga assassin like some others on this list, but he’s plenty capable. If Sovereignty can deliver another explosive finish, Junior will be right there, but he’ll need the pace to collapse in his favor.
7th: Luis Saez (Uncaged 30-1)
Luis Saez is a two-time Belmont winner, including last year’s edition at Saratoga aboard Dornoch. He’s aggressive, fearless, and knows how to position a horse early to avoid trouble. But this year, he draws the longshot Uncaged, a colt who appears to be overmatched based on recent form.
If rain softens the track, Uncaged may improve, but on a fast track, he’s shown little to inspire confidence. Still, Saez is a gamer, and if there’s a meltdown ahead, he knows how to navigate chaos better than most. Don’t be surprised if he tries something bold, after all, his 17-1 shocker last year was nobody’s first pick either.
8th: Saffie Osborne (Heart of Honor 30-1)
This is a breakthrough year for British jockey Saffie Osborne. At just 23, she made her Triple Crown debut in the Preakness with Heart of Honor, finishing a respectable fifth despite a poor start. Now, she returns for another crack with the same colt, and with slightly better circumstances. Osborne comes from horse racing royalty; her father, Jamie Osborne, is a trainer, and she grew up immersed in equestrian sports.
While Heart of Honor lacks the class of the top contenders, his stamina gives him a chance to pick off tiring runners. Osborne will need to ride patiently and let the race unfold ahead of her. The upside is real, but the margin for error is thin.
The Human Factor Behind the Belmont Drama
The Belmont Stakes is more than numbers and bloodlines; it’s about the decisions made in the heat of battle by riders who live for this moment. From seasoned Hall of Famers to international newcomers, the 2025 edition will be defined by the tactics, timing, and grit of this world-class group.
Whether it’s Irad Ortiz Jr. gunning for his third Belmont win, Umberto Rispoli chasing a second Triple Crown victory in three weeks, or Mike Smith looking to steal one on the lead, this year’s race is as much about who’s in the saddle as who’s beneath it. Bet on experience, bet on poise, but most of all, bet on understanding how these jockeys shape the race from the opening jump to the wire.
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Get in on the action for the 2025 Belmont Stakes by making your picks today. Whether you’re siding with favorites like Journalism or Baeza, or backing a savvy veteran like Mike Smith or John Velazquez, you’ll find the latest odds, real-time updates, and expert wagering advice at our racebook. Bet on Belmont with confidence and ride with the jockeys who live for glory.
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