Andy Newton
Every year, one of the biggest talking points ahead of the Belmont Stakes is the post-position draw.
While class, stamina and race tactics ultimately decide the outcome, bettors are always keen to know whether certain gate numbers enjoy an advantage in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Historically, the inside posts have been the most productive.
Since Belmont Park adopted its current starting gate configuration in 1905, Post 1 has produced more winners than any other stall, with 24 victories – but only one in the last 20 runnings (Justify, 2018).
Posts 3 and 5 have also delivered strong long-term records.
However, more recent results suggest there are FOUR Belmont Stakes post position stalls that have done best (see below).
Note: The Belmont Stakes has been run at Saratoga Race Course since 2024, due to the renovations at Belmont Park. Which needs to be be taken into account when looking at the recent Belmont Stakes post positions.
Last 20 Belmont Stakes Winners and Their Post Positions
| Year | Winner | Post Position |
| 2025 | Sovereignty | 2 |
| 2024 | Dornoch | 6 |
| 2023 | Arcangelo | 3 |
| 2022 | Mo Donegal | 6 |
| 2021 | Essential Quality | 2 |
| 2020 | Tiz The Law | 8 |
| 2019 | Sir Winston | 7 |
| 2018 | Justify | 1 |
| 2017 | Tapwrit | 2 |
| 2016 | Creator | 13 |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | 5 |
| 2014 | Tonalist | 11 |
| 2013 | Palace Malice | 12 |
| 2012 | Union Rags | 3 |
| 2011 | Ruler On Ice | 3 |
| 2010 | Drosselmeyer | 7 |
| 2009 | Summer Bird | 4 |
| 2008 | Da’ Tara | 6 |
| 2007 | Rags To Riches | 7 |
| 2006 | Jazil | 8 |
Best Performing Post Positions Over the Last 20 Runnings
Looking solely at the last 20 editions of the Belmont Stakes, the most successful stalls have been:
| Post Position | Winners |
| 3 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 7 | 3 |
| 8 | 2 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 1 |
| 11 | 1 |
| 12 | 1 |
| 13 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 20 |
What Do The Belmont Post Position Stats Tell Us?
The statistics show that Post Positions 2, 3, 6 and 7 have been the standout gates in modern times, producing three winners each since 2006.
With gate 8 next best with two wins over this same period.
Interestingly, despite Post 1 being the most successful draw in the race’s overall history, it has produced just one winner in the last 20 runnings – Triple Crown hero Justify in 2018.
This suggests that while the rail remains historically significant, its dominance has faded in the modern era.
Do We Avoid Gate 9?
While since 2006, we’ve not seen a Belmont Stakes winner from gate 9.
Which might be a worry if you fancy Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo – as the Churchill hero has been handed post position 9.
What Does This Mean for Belmont Bettors?
For punters analysing future Belmont Stakes renewals, the recent evidence points towards the low-to-middle stalls being the safest place to start.
Posts 2 to 8 account for 15 of the last 20 winners (75%), indicating that horses drawn close to the inside but not necessarily on the rail have enjoyed the greatest success.
That said, the Belmont Stakes is often run with relatively small fields compared to the Kentucky Derby, reducing the impact of the draw.
And a reminder – the last two runnings of the Belmont Stakes (2024 and 2025) have been run away from the race’s normal home (Belmont) – with the contest switched to Saratoga.
Unlike Churchill Downs, where a poor post can create immediate traffic problems, Belmont winners have emerged from positions ranging from Post 1 to Post 13 over the last two decades.
As a result, bettors should treat the draw as one piece of the puzzle rather than a decisive factor when looking for which horse will land the Belmont Stakes purse.
The numbers do, however, make one thing clear: if you’re looking for a favourable Belmont Stakes gate based on recent history, Posts 2,3,6 and 7 has been the places to be.
Good news if you like POWERSHIFT (2), CHIEF WALLABEE (3), GROWTH EQUITY (6) and COMMANDEMENT (7).
Belmont Stakes Race Details 2026
- Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
- Venue: Saratoga Racecourse
- Race Number: 158th running of the Belmont Stakes
- Distance: 1¼ miles (10 furlongs)
- Surface: Dirt
- Race Type: Grade 1 Thoroughbred race for three-year-olds
- Festival Dates: Wednesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 7, 2026
- Purse: $2 million
2026 Belmont Stakes Post Positions, Jockeys and Trainers
See below the nine Belmont Stakes runners heading to Saratoga in 2026.
- Vitruvian Man (Doug O’Neill, Antonio Fresu)
- Powershift (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez)
- Chief Wallabee (Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado)
- Renegade (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr)
- Ottinho (Chad Brown, Dylan Davis)
- Growth Equity (Chad Brown, Manny Franco)
- Commandement (Brad Cox, John Velazquez)
- Emerging Market (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat)
- Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz)
WATCH: Sovereignty Winning The 2025 Belmont Stakes From Post Position 2
