By Jordan Black, Senior Sportswriter | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
As the final leg of the Triple Crown approaches, the storylines surrounding the 157th Belmont Stakes are just as rich and dramatic as the race itself. For the second year in a row, Saratoga Race Course will serve as the host venue, with Belmont Park still undergoing extensive renovations. But the change in scenery hasn’t dulled the excitement.
This year’s Belmont isn’t just a test of speed and stamina—it’s a tiebreaker of identity. Sovereign, the Kentucky Derby winner, comes into the race with raw power and the confidence of a horse that’s already worn roses. But standing in the way of his potential second crown is Journalism, the surprise Preakness victor who stormed onto the national radar with timing, composure, and staying power.
If a third horse crosses the finish line first today it will mark one of the rarest outcomes in racing: a different winner in each leg of the Triple Crown. It’s a chaotic outcome the sport hasn’t seen since 2017 and only a handful of times in its long, storied history.
Adding to the drama, Baeza is back in the mix. Finishing third in the Derby, Baeza skipped the Preakness to focus on the Belmont. Trained by John Shirreffs and ridden by Flavien Prat, Baeza is poised to challenge the favorites and potentially secure a unique Triple Crown outcome.
Also in the field is Rodriguez, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith. Entering with 6-1 odds, Rodriguez brings experience and momentum after a recent win in the Wood Memorial.
Here at FreeWire, we’ve made our pick—and it shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows us. We’re riding with Journalism.
It’s not just because we love a good storyline. It’s because we believe in what Journalism represents: integrity, resilience, and consistency in the face of noise and pressure. These are the same values we uphold in our newsroom, and Journalism the horse carries them with every stride. The Preakness win was no fluke—it was a statement. This colt doesn’t just compete; he communicates, and he does it with clarity.
As Sovereign and Journalism line up in the gates at Saratoga, they carry more than the hopes of owners and bettors. They represent a deeper narrative—the tension between force and finesse, tradition and truth. Some are calling this a race between power and purpose. At FreeWire, we call it a face-off between Sovereignty and Journalism. And we know where we stand.
We value integrity and resilience in journalism—and those qualities are exemplified in Journalism the horse.
So as the crowd watches with excitement and the horses take their positions, we’re not just cheering for a winner—we’re hoping for a story worth telling.
May the best message win.
