Smith has won the Belmont Stakes three times, the last time aboard Baffert’s Triple Crown-winning Justify in 2018. Baffert, too, is seeking his fourth Belmont Stakes victory and first since Justify.

After the Derby win, the Godolphin-owned 3-year-old opted out of the Preakness Stakes to focus on the Belmont, forfeiting a shot at history to win the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown hasn’t been won since 2018, when Bob Baffert’s Justify won the 105th Belmont Stakes to secure the third jewel.

Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty swept past favored Journalism in the stretch and powered to victory. Journalism held on for second, with Baeza getting up for third.