“When I crossed the wire, the first things that comes up to my mind, it’s all of the 20 years of my career that pass in front of me. I had to wait so long to be on a champion like that,” Umberto Rispoli couldn’t be more thankful for his longtime dream coming true. Journalism wrote a new chapter in the history of Triple Crown Races during the final stretch of the 150th Preakness Stakes, all of which held, until Saturday, that is.

With the curtains now dropping down for the 2025 Triple Crown season, the stage was set for a powerful showdown between two of the most talked-about names in American horse racing—Sovereignty and Journalism. The former, who did it yet again after conquering the 151st Kentucky Derby, raced the track with utmost expectations of repeating his feat to prove his naysayers wrong about him being a one-time wonder. Absolutely no pressure there. While for Rispoli and Journalism, Belmont was supposed to be the redemption for the Derby.

While the dust settled at Saratoga and jockey Junior Alvarado saw his horse crowned as the Belmont victor, something heartwarming unfolded amidst the celebration. Let’s say that the murmurs from the paddock, grandstand, and even the track circled back to the runner-up. Paulick Report on X shared Junior Alvarado’s heartfelt words, praising Journalism for his capabilities. “It’s about two great horses. That horse [Journalism] ran amazing again for coming back after the Preakness. He fought very hard, but he didn’t make it easy for my horse,” he told FOX after Sovereignty’s win over Journalism in the Belmont Stakes.

When the gates flung open, Journalism broke out to take the lead first as he set the tone on a muddy track, but Sovereignty, calm and composed under pressure, unleashed a relentless drive down the stretch to overtake his rival and clinch the third jewel of the Triple Crown. However, despite falling short at the finish line, Journalism’s status as the early favorite at the Belmont Stakes was justified. After all, coming second in the Kentucky Derby while fighting hard at the Preakness, the horse entered Saratoga with an 8-5 morning line odds and drew the advantageous No. 7 post in an eight-horse field.

And for his jockey, Umberto Rispoli? He kept his optimism in stride while riding high not only on recent success but also on the culmination of a journey that began in Italy, stretched through Europe and Asia, that finally landed him in the American spotlight! “He’s special. He takes the job [seriously], and he knows when he needs to be really serious and when he can chill around,” the jockey said before the Belmont Race.

Yet, in the final moments, the talk wasn’t just about the winner but about the overall fight. Because Journalism, across the racing world, continued to earn admiration!

Despite losing, Journalism earns a deeper admiration!

While there’s always a quiet and powerful connection shared between jockeys and their horses, Matt Dinerman, the TV analyst, hit us right in the feels by dropping a heartfelt post on his X account. “Really classy of @umbyrispoli to give Journalism pats on the neck after a job well done running second in the Belmont. I love when people do that with horses that don’t win. Horses can feel positive and negative energy. It’s good for them to feel that positivity and appreciation,” he said.

In high-pressure events like the Belmont Stakes, where the duress runs just as deep as the mud on the track, a simple show of affection as an approving nod often says more than a thousand cheers from the stands, right? Matt didn’t just stop there but further added, “Plus, the fact of the matter is people that make a living in horse racing wouldn’t have what they have if it wasn’t for two things: the horses and the customers. Showing appreciation for them is important.” After all, in a sport driven by spectacle, these honest moments simply uphold the soul of horse racing.

To say that the 2025 Triple Crown season delivered more than thrilling finishes would be an understatement. The races revealed more than just the depth of character in both horses, their jockeys, and the trainers. From Sovereignty’s win to Journalism’s powerful run through all three races, the narratives weren’t just about winning, but resilience and recognition too.