The 157th Belmont Stakes is set to kick off at Saratoga, with a scheduled start time of around 7:04 p. m. This year's event is highly anticipated, as it features a rematch between Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, and Journalism, the Preakness champion. The race is expected to be intense, with several strong contenders vying for the top spot.

        The experts have their eyes on a few standout horses. Rodriguez, trained by Bob Baffert, is one of the favorites. He is known for his speed and will need to outpace Crudo down the backstretch. Money Mike Smith, Rodriguez's jockey, will play a crucial role in determining his performance. However, Rodriguez's success is not guaranteed, as he faces stiff competition from other top contenders.

        Baeza is another horse to watch. He has shown versatility and improvement in his recent races. Flavien Prat, his jockey, may choose to use Baeza's speed to gain an early advantage. This strategy could disrupt the plans of other favorites, making Baeza a strong contender for the exacta.

        Journalism, trained by Mike McCarthy, is considered one of the best 3-year-olds this year. Despite the demanding schedule of three races in five weeks, he has proven his toughness and ability to handle various race conditions. Journalism's performance in the Preakness, where he overcame stretch traffic to defeat long shot Gosger, demonstrates his resilience and competitive edge. However, his rivals Rodriguez and Baeza may have an advantage due to their fresher state.

        The experts have differing opinions on the top contenders. Vic Cangialosi, a racing handicapper, predicts that Rodriguez will emerge victorious. He notes that Rodriguez's speed and the expertise of Money Mike Smith could give him the edge he needs. Michael Leboff, a betting writer, believes that Journalism is the best pick to win the Belmont Stakes. He highlights Journalism's versatility and ability to win different types of races, which sets him apart from Sovereignty.

        Mike Conti, another racing handicapper, also favors Journalism. He acknowledges that Journalism has faced challenges but remains confident in his talent and training. Conti also mentions Baeza as a strong contender, noting his impressive performance in the Kentucky Derby despite traffic trouble. Hill Road, who won the Peter Pan, is another horse to watch, although he will need to improve his recent performance to compete at the Belmont Stakes.

        The Belmont Stakes is not just about the horses; it's also about the strategic decisions made by trainers and jockeys. The outcome of the race will depend on how well these factors come together. As the race approaches, all eyes will be on Saratoga to see which horse will claim the coveted title.

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