The Belmont Stakes will once again be held at its temporary home of Saratoga Race Course on June 6 as the 2026 Triple Crown series ends.
Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is back for more, and the 158th "The Test of the Champion" will be contested at the same distance as the Derby — 1 1/4-miles — due to track configuration, rather than the traditional 1 1/2-mile trip.
The Belmont Stakes odds have been set following Monday's post position draw.
Here are all nine Belmont Stakes horses running this Saturday, ranked by our expert handicapper.
2026 Belmont Stakes horses
The Belmont Stakes post positions were determined by random draw on June 1. Check out our 2026 Belmont Stakes horse profiles below:
Who is running in the 2026 Belmont Stakes?
No. 4 Renegade (2-1, morning-line favorite) Renegade rallied alongside Golden Tempo in the final stages of the Derby, overcoming a difficult inside post to secure the runner-up spot. Trainer Todd Pletcher has been a key figure in popularizing the strategy of going straight from the Kentucky Derby to the Belmont Stakes, having captured the Belmont three times using that approach.
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Earnings: $2,031,500
No. 7 Commandment (6-1) Had his four-race winning streak, capped by a win in the Florida Derby, interrupted at Churchill Downs with a seventh in the Kentucky Derby. He didn't have a great trip in the Derby, breaking slowly and going at least five-wide on both turns.
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Earnings: $1,017,339
No. 3 Chief Wallabee (3-1) Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott captured the 2025 Belmont Stakes with Sovereignty and appears to have another strong contender this year in Chief Wallabee. The son of Constitution proved himself a formidable competitor throughout Florida’s Kentucky Derby prep circuit and delivered a determined effort to finish fourth in the Derby.
- Trainer: Bill Mott
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Earnings: $466,600
No. 8 Emerging Market (6-1) This Chad Brown trainee may have bit off more than he could chew in the Kentucky Derby in just his third lifetime start. But the Louisiana Derby winner could be better for the experience and take a step forward on Saturday.
- Trainer: Chad Brown
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Earnings: $618,880
No. 9 Golden Tempo (9-2) The Kentucky Derby champion delivered a remarkable come-from-behind victory, charging from last place to secure the win and making trainer Cherie DeVaux the first woman ever to capture the “Run for the Roses.” There was naturally disappointment that he skipped the Preakness and a shot at the Triple Crown, but he'll be well-rested for this race as he tries to show that effort was not a fluke.
- Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Earnings: $3,433,000
No. 6 Growth Equity (12-1) Growth Equity is on a two-race winning streak, including taking the Peter Pan Stakes last time out. Tonalist (2014) and Arcangelo (2023) have recently used the Peter Pan as a stepping stone to Belmont Stakes glory.
- Trainer: Chad Brown
- Jockey: Manny Franco
- Earnings: $187,600
No. 2 Powershift (12-1) Powershift overcame a sixth-place finish in the Tampa Bay Derby with a win in the opener on the Derby Day undercard at Churchill Downs. He may have more to offer in just his fourth lifetime start.
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Earnings: $81,896
No. 5 Ottinho (20-1) Ottinho has just a maiden win to his credit, but he's hit the board in both the Withers and the Blue Grass Stakes this year. However, he was beaten by over 10 lengths in both of those in-the-money efforts.
- Trainer: Chad Brown
- Jockey: Dylan Davis
- Earnings: $324,700
No. 1 Vitruvian Man (30-1) Doug O'Neill hasn't been shy about taking shots on the Triple Crown trail, and his latest long shot to enter the fray is Santa Anita Derby third-place finisher Vitruvian Man. This will be just his second start in 2026, so he stands to improve, but he'll need to do a lot of improving to factor in the Belmont.
- Trainer: Doug O'Neill
- Jockey: Antonio Fresu
- Earnings: $142,345
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How horses qualify for the Belmont Stakes
Qualifying for the Belmont Stakes is a little different from making the grade for the previous two Triple Crown races, but still requires a thoroughbred horse to be three years old. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds while fillies tote 121 pounds.
Belmont Stakes prep races
Horses who finished Top 3 in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes are given automatic spots in the Belmont, if they choose to run. Beyond that, every horse wishing to run must be Triple Crown nominated and pay a series of entry fees. As many as 14 horses can be in the Belmont Stakes field.
Triple Crown horses
The Belmont Stakes is known as “The Test of the Champion” because it is the final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, and typically the longest of the three events at 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs). However, the 2026 season does not have a Triple Crown contender entering the Belmont, and the race will be run at 1 1/4-miles this year.
Types of Belmont Stakes horses
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred horses are known for their long athletic builds and speed, making them ideal for racing. They’re sleeker and lighter than other breeds, which is ideal for the length of the Belmont Stakes.
Age of horses
The Belmont Stakes is limited to three-year-old horses. This age of horse is ideal for racing as they have yet to fully mature and have limited races on their resume, leaving an aura of mystery, but still post fast times and exciting finishes.
