Belmont Stakes 2026: What to Know About the Race at Saratoga

2 months ago 0

The 158th Belmont Stakes, known for being the final leg of the Triple Crown, takes place this Saturday. Interestingly, like the Preakness Stakes, it will not be held at its usual track. Instead, the “Test of the Champion” will again occur at the Saratoga Race Course. This is the third year in a row due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park.

Since the race is set on an alternate course, the distance has been reduced to 1 1/4 miles, less than the standard 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park.

Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, led the first turn in last year’s Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, claiming victory. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner, returns to the Belmont Stakes after skipping the Preakness. On the other hand, Napoleon Solo, who triumphed in the Preakness Stakes, will not participate. None of the horses from this year’s Preakness will race in the Belmont, meaning no horse will compete in all three Triple Crown races this year. Nine horses will vie for the $2 million purse.

Contenders and Betting Odds

Vitruvian Man (Antonio Fresu) 17-1
Powershift (Luis Saez) 11-1
Chief Wallabee (Junior Alvarado) 6-1
Renegade (Irad Ortiz Jr.) 2-1
Ottinho (Dylan Davis) 19-1
Growth Equity (Manuel Franco) 11-1
Commandment (John Velazquez) 5-1
Emerging Market (Flavien Prat) 5-1
Golden Tempo (José Ortiz) 9-2

Renegade holds the top odds after securing second in the Kentucky Derby, trained by Todd Pletcher. Emerging Market, trained by Chad Brown, and Commandment, trained by Brad Cox, stand at 5-1.

Cherie DeVaux, who trained Golden Tempo to a Kentucky Derby victory, hopes to make history by adding the Belmont Stakes to her accolades, potentially becoming the first female trainer to win multiple Triple Crown races in the same year. Previously, Jena Antonucci marked the first female victory in the Belmont stakes in 2023.

What to Expect

Golden Tempo, fresh off a five-week hiatus after the Kentucky Derby, ranks among the top favorites. He skips the Preakness for the second year in a row, with Sovereignty making a comparable decision the previous year, resulting in a Belmont victory.