Andy Newton
See below the expected Belmont Stakes runners 2026, including their profiles, form and the latest betting odds for Saturday’s ‘Run for the Carnations’.
Belmont Stakes Date and 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 Runners – Full Horse Profiles
RENEGADE
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owners: Robert & Lawana L. Low & Repole Stable
Belmont Stakes Odds: 6/4
Renegade enters the Belmont Stakes as one of the most established form horses in the field after a standout spring campaign on the Triple Crown trail.
He has consistently competed at Grade 1 level and arrives off a strong effort in the Kentucky Derby. Where he finished a close second behind Golden Tempo after travelling powerfully throughout.
Renegade will be looking to give trainer Todd Pletcher a fifth Belmont Stakes, having last won the race in 2022 with Mo Donegal.
Form Overview
Renegade has built his reputation on tactical versatility and strong finishing speed.
His Arkansas Derby win stamped him as a top-class contender early in the season, and his Derby performance confirmed he belongs firmly at the elite level of his generation.
While he was unable to reel in Golden Tempo at Churchill Downs, the effort underlined his stamina and ability to handle strong pace scenarios.
With the Belmont Stakes now run at Saratoga over 1¼ miles, Renegade’s blend of stamina and acceleration makes him a major player.
Pletcher has reportedly kept him fresh since the Derby, bypassing the Preakness in favour of this targeted approach.
POWERSHIFT
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owners: Repole Stable
Belmont Stakes Odds: 16/1
Powershift represents the second string of Todd Pletcher’s Belmont team, but his profile has been steadily rising throughout the spring.
Including when 6th in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby back in March.
A progressive colt with only a handful of starts, he has shown steady improvement and is expected to take another big step forward in the Belmont Stakes.
Form Overview
Powershift broke his maiden in convincing style at Churchill Downs (watch below) to suggest he handles both pace pressure and distance increase well.
While he lacks the Grade 1 experience of several rivals, his recent training reports from Saratoga have been encouraging, particularly his strong finishing work alongside Renegade.
This will be his toughest assignment to date, but his upward trajectory suggests he is not without a chance of outrunning expectations if the race develops into a strongly run contest.
Oh, and is another from the Pletcher barn, who have four Belmont Stakes wins to their name.
GOLDEN TEMPO
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Owners: Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stable
Belmont Stakes Odds: 6/1
Golden Tempo arrives at Saratoga as the horse to beat following a landmark Kentucky Derby victory earlier in the season.
The Derby winner has been campaigned conservatively since that success, skipping the Preakness to focus entirely on the Belmont Stakes.
Form Overview
Golden Tempo’s Derby win was built on tactical speed and a powerful late surge, allowing him to edge out Renegade in a thrilling finish at Churchill Downs.
That performance confirmed him as one of the leading three-year-olds in training and a genuine Triple Crown-calibre colt.
His main question mark is adaptability to Saratoga’s slightly different configuration and the repeat test against a rematch field.
However, his class, consistency and proven ability to handle big-race pressure make him a deserved favourite heading into the final leg.
Golden Tempo was freshened up by missing the Preakness Stakes too.
And will be looking to become follow Sovereignty last season – who won both the Derby and the Belmont.
CHIEF WALLABEE
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owners: Michael & Katherine G. Ball
Belmont Stakes Odds: 4/1
Chief Wallabee has been one of the more consistent performers on the Triple Crown trail, finishing in the frame in multiple Grade 1 preps and holding his form well through the spring.
Including a silver in the Fountain Of Youth Stakes and also a bronze in the the Florida Derby – both at Gulfstream Park earlier this season.
Form Overview
A strong-closer by nature, Chief Wallabee typically does his best work late and benefits from strong early pace scenarios.
His Kentucky Derby effort saw him stay on well for a solid fourth, underlining his stamina but also highlighting the need for a more efficient trip in elite company.
At Saratoga, where positioning can be crucial, he will need everything to fall right, but his consistency makes him a live contender for minor honours or a place if the leaders go too hard up front.
Chief Wallabee is also from the Bill Mott barn that won the Belmont Stakes last year with Soveregnity.
COMMANDMENT
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owners: Wathnan Racing
Belmont Stakes Odds: 6/1
Commandment comes into the Belmont Stakes as a lightly raced but rapidly improving colt who has taken a big step forward during the spring campaign.
Having last been seen running 7th in the Kentucky Derby.
Form Overview
His standout performance came in the Grade 2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes, where he controlled the pace and showed a sharp turn of foot when challenged.
And then added the Grade 1 Florida Derby in late March.
In the Kentucky Derby, he was unable to replicate that form, fading late after a wide trip against stronger opposition.
However, despite that setback, connections remain confident in his potential, especially over the shorter Belmont distance at Saratoga, which may suit his tactical speed more than the traditional 1½-mile “Big Sandy” test.
Trainer Brad Cox won the Belmont Stakes in 2021 with Essential Quality.
EMERGING MARKET
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owners: Klaravich Stables Inc.
Belmont Stakes Odds: 10/1
Emerging Market represents the Chad Brown-trained contingent and has been steadily progressing through graded stakes company this season.
But does need to bounce back from finishing 10th in the Kentucky Derby last time.
Form Overview
A winner of a key Derby prep earlier in the year – when landing the Louisiana Derby. Emerging Market has shown a reliable blend of stamina and tactical awareness.
His Derby run was respectable without being spectacular, as he finished midfield after being unable to sustain his early position.
He tends to be best when able to settle just off the pace. And, therefore, Saratoga’s configuration could help him find a more comfortable rhythm.
If he reproduces his best form, he is capable of sneaking into the frame.
The Chad Brown team are still to win the Belmont Stakes
VITRUVIAN MAN
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Owners: Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing Inc
Belmont Stakes Odds: 30/1
The colt arrives at Saratoga after finishing third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, a performance that brought him into Triple Crown calculations for the first time.
Form Overview
Although he has only one career victory to his name (6 starts), he has gradually improved with racing and appears to be peaking at the right stage of the season.
Trainer Doug O’Neill, a two-time Kentucky Derby winner, has spoken positively about the colt’s recent development. Suggesting he has begun to fulfil the promise he showed as a younger horse.
Vitruvian Man has also attracted extra attention through the celebrity-backed Run Fast Racing ownership group, which includes music stars Lil Wayne and Lil Yachty.
The step up into Belmont Stakes company represents a significant class test. But his Santa Anita Derby effort demonstrated he can be competitive against graded stakes opposition.
If he continues progressing, he could prove capable of outrunning his odds as the Doug O’Neill barn look for their first Belmont Stakes winner.
OTTINHO
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owners: Three Chimneys Farm LLC
Belmont Stakes Odds: 25/1
Ottinho may have only one victory on his résumé, but he has quietly put together one of the most consistent records among the Belmont Stakes contenders.
Form Overview
The Chad Brown-trained colt has never finished outside the first three and announced himself as a serious prospect when runner-up in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
A homebred for the powerful Three Chimneys Farm operation, Ottinho possesses a pedigree packed with stamina and class.
His Blue Grass performance suggested he is still learning his craft, staying on strongly through the final furlong despite lacking the experience of several rivals.
The Belmont Stakes could suit him perfectly.
Saratoga’s 1¼-mile configuration should allow him to settle into a rhythm before using his grinding late run, and with Chad Brown, who is yet to win this prize, targeting the race with a strong team of runners, Ottinho enters as a horse capable of producing a career-best effort.
GROWTH EQUITY
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owners: Klaravich Stables Inc.
Belmont Stakes Odds: 12/1
Growth Equity enters the Belmont Stakes as one of the fastest-improving horses in the field.
After making only one start as a two-year-old, he returned this season looking a far more mature performer and quickly broke his maiden before taking a major step forward in graded company.
Form Overview
His biggest performance came in the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes, traditionally one of the strongest Belmont prep races.
Sent off favourite, Growth Equity travelled comfortably throughout before asserting in the stretch and drawing clear for an authoritative victory.
The manner of that success immediately elevated him into Belmont Stakes contention.
Unlike some of his rivals, Growth Equity arrives at Saratoga relatively fresh and with far fewer miles on the clock. That lack of experience is both a strength and a question mark.
While he still has plenty to prove against Grade 1 opposition, his rapid improvement curve makes him one of the more dangerous dark horses in the field.
Plus a colt with considerable upside heading into the Triple Crown finale.
Note: Belmont Stakes betting odds listed are subject to change
