An Early Look at the Probable Field for the 2026 Belmont Stakes
The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and the Preakness Stakes are in the books, so now’s the time to shift focus to the $2 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets June 6 in Saratoga Springs, NY
For the third consecutive 12 months, the Belmont Stakes will likely be hosted by Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York as the renovated Belmont Park nears completion. The closing jewel of US Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown will once more be shortened to 1 1/4 miles as a result of Saratoga Race Course, a 1 1/8-mile fundamental monitor, will not be set as much as accommodate the conventional 1 ½-mile distance.
The marquee attraction is Golden Tempowhose victory May 2 at Churchill Downs made Cherie DeVaux the first girl to coach a Kentucky Derby winner. DeVaux and the bay Curlin colt’s house owners, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stabledetermined to bypass the Preakness and goal the Belmont Stakes. Let’s have a look at the horses into account for the Belmont Stakes utilizing a tiered format.
Tier 1) The Derby Exacta
The huge story coming into the 2026 Belmont Stakes will likely be the return of Derby winner Golden Tempoand for good purpose, however my guess is runner-up Renegade will wind up being the favourite in the June 6 basic after developing a neck quick in the run for the roses. Renegade entered the Kentucky Derby off back-to-back dominant wins in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. The bay colt by main sire Into Mischief ran a terrific race in the Kentucky Derby regardless of ranging from the inside publish place however couldn’t maintain off the late cost of Golden Tempo and settled for second. They will likely be equally rested for a much-anticipated rematch. Many of the tales main into the Belmont Stakes will likely be targeted on Golden Tempo, history-making coach DeVaux, and Derby-winning jockey Jose Ortizhowever my hunch is the betting public will likely be skeptical he can ship one other elite race on condition that the Kentucky Derby velocity figures had been underwhelming. Golden Tempo is a strong nearer who’s all the time flying late and the 1 ¼ miles is an ideal distance, however “pace makes the race” and he’ll want some velocity to arrange his late rally.
Tier 2) Triple Crown Trail Standouts
Chief Wallabee, commandment, Emerging Market
commandment narrowly defeated Chief Wallabee in each the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes (by a nostril) and the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa (by a half a size) main as much as the Kentucky Derby, so it was no shock they obtained related help from the betting public in the first jewel of the Triple Crown. Commandment completed seventh as the fourth betting selection and Chief Wallabee ran fourth as the fifth wagering selection in the 18-horse discipline. Chief Wallabee was crushed by three lengths after he was bumped laborious in the stretch; Commandment was 5 ¼ lengths behind winner Golden Tempo after a sluggish begin. Both profile as win candidates in a smaller, much less claustrophobic Belmont Stakes discipline. Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby winner Emerging Market entered the Derby unbeaten in two begins and can attempt to bounce again from a tenth-place end at Churchill. Eighteen horses and 150,000-plus followers is lots of stimulation for a 3-year-old colt in his third begin, so those that appreciated him in the Derby ought to in all probability give him a second likelihood.
Tier 3) The Curious Case of Ocelli
It seems like the Belmont Stakes is being strongly thought of by coach Whit Beckman for Ocelliwho ran fourth in the May 16 Preakness Stakes after ending third, crushed by just one size in the Kentucky Derby. The bay Connect colt continues to be a maiden, which implies he has by no means received a race, however he is confirmed aggressive in opposition to the better of his era. This can be his fourth begin in 9 weeks and his sixth straight begin in opposition to stakes competitors. Like Golden Tempo, Ocelli is a deep nearer who would profit from a quick tempo to provide him a shot at an elusive go to to a winner’s circle.
Tier 4) New Shooters and Familiar Faces
Chip Honcho, Growth Equity, Ottinho, Powerful, power shift, Talk to Me Jimmy
Peter Pan Stakes winner Growth EquityWithers Stakes winner Talk to Me Jimmy, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes runner-up Ottinhoand up to date runaway maiden winner power shift all can be making their first begin in a Triple Crown race in the Belmont Stakes. Growth Equity, who defeated Talk to Me Jimmy by two lengths in the May 9 Peter Pan, seems to be like a transparent standout from that group. Stakes winner Chip Honcho ran gamely in defeat when third in the Preakness Stakes, whereas San Felipe Stakes Presented by DK Horse winner Powerful will attempt to rebound from a 12th-place end in the Kentucky Derby. I’d be shocked if the 2026 Belmont Stakes winner comes from this tier.
