The field is officially set for the 2026 Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of the Triple Crown series. The 158th running of the prestigious Grade 1 event will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Due to the ongoing redevelopment of Belmont Park, Saratoga will host the Belmont Stakes for the third consecutive year.
This year’s race features a talented group of nine horses competing for a share of the $2 million purse. While no Triple Crown bid remains alive entering the race, the Belmont Stakes still brings together some of the top three-year-olds in the country, including several standout performers from the Kentucky Derby.
The Belmont Stakes will once again be contested over 1¼ miles (10 furlongs) on Saratoga’s dirt track. Fans can expect an exciting showdown as Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo returns to face runner-up Renegade and fourth-place finisher Chief Wallabee.
2026 Belmont Stakes Post Positions and Draw Results
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vitruvian Man | Doug O’Neill | Antonio Fresu |
| 2 | Powershift | Todd Pletcher | Luis Saez |
| 3 | Chief Wallabee | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado |
| 4 | Renegade | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. |
| 5 | Ottinho | Chad Brown | Dylan Davis |
| 6 | Growth Equity | Chad Brown | Manuel Franco |
| 7 | Commandment | Brad Cox | John Velazquez |
| 8 | Emerging Market | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat |
| 9 | Golden Tempo | Cherie DeVaux | Jose Ortiz |
Top Contenders to Watch
Renegade enters the Belmont Stakes as the 2-1 morning-line favorite after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby. Trained by four-time Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, Renegade will look to turn the tables after narrowly losing a thrilling stretch battle in Louisville.
Chief Wallabee has also attracted strong support from handicappers. Installed at 3-1 odds, the Bill Mott-trained colt demonstrated impressive consistency throughout the Triple Crown season and could be a major threat over Saratoga’s demanding surface.
Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo starts from the outside post and carries 9-2 morning-line odds. The talented colt delivered a breakthrough performance in the Derby and will attempt to prove that victory was no fluke against another elite field.
Among the other contenders, Commandment and Emerging Market are both listed at 6-1 and possess the potential to challenge the favorites if the pace scenario unfolds in their favor.
No Horse Competing in All Three Triple Crown Races
One notable storyline this year is the absence of a horse competing in all three Triple Crown events. Ocelli, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness Stakes, was initially expected to enter the Belmont Stakes. However, connections have instead targeted the Ohio Derby later this month.
As a result, the 2026 Belmont Stakes will conclude a Triple Crown season without any horse appearing in all three races.
With a competitive field, accomplished trainers, and several proven stakes performers, the Belmont Stakes 2026 promises to deliver an exciting finish to this year’s Triple Crown series at historic Saratoga Race Course.