Jeff Siegel Picks for Belmont Stakes 2025 – Top Handicapper Going Against Derby 1-2-3

The Jeff Siegel picks for the Belmont Stakes 2025 on Saturday at Saratoga see the well-respected handicapper going against the top three in the betting – who were also the first three home in the Kentucky Derby last month. 

Instead, Siegel prefers a horse from a proven Belmont Stakes winning barn – in Bob Baffert – and suggests this 3 year-old is the value call option with the best Belmont Stakes betting sites this weekend.

Jeff Siegel Picks for Belmont Stakes 2025: Rodriguez Can Give Baffert Fourth Win

The Jeff Siegel picks for the Belmont Stakes 2025 have been revealed, with the respected handicapper siding with RODRIGUEZ as his main play.

Of the eight Belmont Stakes horses in the line-up this weekend, this son of Authentic will come into the race fresher than most after his last race two months ago.

That outing was a winning one at Aqueduct in the Grade II Wood Memorial Stakes with Rodriguez slamming Grande by 3 1/2 (watch below).

Yes, prior to that win he was well beaten by Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby, but this Jeff Siegel Belmont Stakes pick 2025 has clearly thrived since and can get much closer to the Preakness winner here.

Jeff Siegel said – “Rodriguez will be the controlling speed, and in two prior outings with that kind of trip the son of Authentic ran away and hid – most recently in the Wood Memorial S.-G2 – while earning triple digit Beyer numbers in both of those victories.”

“Freshened and breezing better and better with each workout, the B. Baffert-trained colt may be stretching his limit at 10 furlongs but if not policed early he can take control from the gate and never look back to spring the upset.”

“There’s a gamble here at 6-1 on the morning line if you can get it (and you should). Journalism will be racing for third time in five weeks. That’s really the only concern. Otherwise, the Preakness S.-G1 winning son of Curlin almost certainly will fire another big shot and be the one our top pick will have to hold off in the final furlong.”

Jeff Siegel suggests Rodriguez can add to the previous Belmont Stakes winners in the race for Bob Baffert – Justify (2018), American Pharoah (2015) and Point Given (2001).

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WATCH: Rodriguez Winning The 2025 Wood Memorial 

Jeff Siegel Belmont Stakes Pick Next Best: Journalism Can be ‘Bang There’ Again

Having run a cracker in the Kentucky Derby when placed, Journalism has since won the Preakness Stakes (watch below). He looks sure to run his race again, suggests Siegel.

This son of Curlin didn’t have the clearest of runs the last day at Pimlico, but showed his class to still make up the ground on Gosger to win with a bit up his sleeve.

Yes, he’s now heading into his third Triple Crown contest of the season after two hard races. However, many feel he’s now battle-hardened and it’s hard to keep him out of plays.

With Siegel making Journalism his second Belmont Stakes pick in the 2025 race as trainer Michael McCarthy looks for his first success in the race.

Derby third Baeza and the Churchill Downs winner Sovereignty come next on the Jeff Siegel Belmont Stakes picks list.

WATCH: Journalism Winning The 2025 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico 

When is the Belmont Stakes 2025?

The 2025 Belmont Stakes is on Saturday, June 7 at Saratoga Race Course. This is because of the multi-million dollar renovation of Belmont Park.

This year the race is also run over 2,000m – rather than the normal 2,400m trip, due to its temporary home.

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:

Note: Odds are subject to change

Note: Current Belmont Stakes odds correct as of 09:00 ET on Friday, May 6, 2025