The Eddie Olczyk picks for the Belmont Stakes picks 2025 for the big Saratoga race this Saturday (June 7) have been revealed as the popular former NHL player and now respected TNT handicapper gives his main fancy, plus his best ‘outsider’ to have on your radar.
Eddie Olczyk Picks for Belmont Stakes 2025: “I Think BAEZA Could Step Up In A Large Way”
Eddie Olczyk is shying away from the top two Belmont Stakes horses, Sovereignty and Journalism, with his selection in this year’s Test of the Champion.
Yes, he still thinks this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winners will run big races, on what is likely to be a sloppy ‘off-track’.
However, ahead of the final US Triple Crown race of the 2025 season he thinks Derby third BAEZA can turn the tables on the two main players.
The John Shirreffs-trained colt was a close second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby back in April and certainly wasn’t disgraced when a fast-finishing third behind him again at Churchill Downs.
With five weeks to recover from that effort, the Eddie Olczyk picks for the Belmont Stakes 2025 is taken to reverse the form.
What Eddie Olczyk said about his Pick for the Belmont Stakes
“I think Baeza is in the class of Sovereignty and Journalism. He had to come out of gate 19 (of 19) in the Derby and didn’t get the clearest trip, with mud in his face.”
“Journalism was the Derby pick and he ran really well. But I thought Baeza can step up in a large way in this smaller field (8 runners).”
“I also think Baeza might ‘trip-out’ in his race – I’d like to see somewhat of a fast track, but I don’t think that’s going to happen so you have to play the hand that is dealt and the value is number 6 – Baeza.”
“But you also have to use the 7 horse Journalism and if you want to take a chance and throw the Derby winner (Sovereignty) out I can certainly see that thought process. But for me everything is going to be with the 6 Baeza, the 7 Journalism and the 2 Sovereignty.”
“You do have to take note of the connections of Bob Baffert and Mike Smith with number 3 Rodriguez who won the Wood Memorial. He was scratched for the Derby but should be a horse on the lead and is bred for an off-track. The combo of Baffert and Smith is lethal, so he’s respected, but straight out I’m hoping Baeza is the call at around 4/1 plus.”
🎧LISTEN to the full Eddie Olczyk interview HERE
Eddie Olczyk Picks for Belmont 2025
- 6 – BAEZA
- 7 – Journalism
- 2 – Sovereignty
Plus – read on for the Eddie Olczyk Belmont Stakes pick ‘OUTSIDER’
WATCH: Sovereignty, Journalism & Baeza Fight Out the Finish in Kentucky Derby 2025
Eddie Olczyk Picks for Belmont Stakes 2025 – The Longshot: “Back Uncaged If Looking For A Real Bomber Here”
Finally, for those wanting to side with a horse that could see a bigger Belmont Stakes payout – then Olczyk is suggesting UNCAGED shouldn’t be overlooked.
This Todd Pletcher runner was last seen running 6th in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont at the Big A last time and on that running has ground to make up with the winner Hill Road.
But on an off-track this long-shot Eddie Olczyk Belmont Stakes pick is taken to get a lot closer. And maybe even overturn that form having won before on a muddy track.
While the Pletcher barn are no strangers to winning the Test Of Champions. With four past successes in the Belmont Stakes.
Eddie Olczyk went onto say
“The outside is Uncaged being proven on an off-track. The trainer (Pletcher) and jockey (Luis Saez) are a great combo and can go the distance for sure – bred by the world-class Curlin. So if looking for a real ‘bomber’ here I’d say look at number 4 Uncaged.”
WATCH: Uncaged Winning On Debut at Saratoga
When is the Belmont Stakes 2025?
The 2025 Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday, June 7 at Saratoga Race Course. This is due to the continued refurbishment of Belmont Park.
While the 2025 race is run over 1.25m – rather than the normal 1.5m trip, due to its temporary home.
- 📅Time/Date: 6:04pm (ET), Saturday, June 7 2025
- 🏇Racecourse: Saratoga (1.25m)
- 💰Purse: $2m
- 📺TV: NBC (Live Stream: You Tube, Peacock, fuboTV)
- 🎲Belmont Stakes Odds 2025: Sovereignty 2-1 | Journalism 8-5 | Baeza 4-1
Belmont Stakes Betting Odds 2025
See the latest 2025 Belmont Stakes odds that you can get by joining up with the best Belmont Stakes betting sites in the US:
- 1 – Hill Road 10-1
- 2 – Sovereignty 2-1
- 3 – Rodriguez 6-1
- 4 – Uncaged 30-1
- 5 – Crudo 15-1
- 6 – Baeza 4-1
- 7 – Journalism 8-5 fav
- 8 – Heart Of Honor 30-1
Note: Current Belmont Stakes odds correct as of 09:00 ET on Friday, May 6, 2025
Who Is Eddie Olczyk – TNT’s Horse Racing Handicapper?
Many horse racing fans will, of course, have their own ideas on who will win the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes. As this season’s 3 year-old crop try and land the final US Triple Crown race.
However, whether they are experienced punters or not, a lot will also be keen to hear the views of the best horse racing pundits. Just like NBC’s respected handicapper Eddie Olczyk.
Some will remember Olczyk as a former NHL star that played in the National League for 16 seasons. These were with six sides that included the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins, of which he was also became head coach for in 2003.
But after calling time on his NHL days, Eddie Olczyk began a career in the media commentating on NHL for NBC. And through this came the opportunity to showcase his love of horse racing with the same channel snapping him up as an analyst and handicapper.
This led to Olczyk being asked to cover all the big US horse races through the season. Including the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Breeders’ Cup and Preakness Stakes for the NBC network.
His views and opinions each week and on the big US races are followed by thousands. Therefore – don’t miss his 2025 Belmont Stakes picks for this Saturday.
