Jason Burgos
Tonight brings the 158th edition of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY. This year’s Belmont will feature nine thoroughbreds and include Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo.
Before Saturday’s race, get a look at our final ranking of all nine Belmont Stakes horses, and our best bets to win, place, and show.
9. Vitruvian Man (30-1)
After getting off to a rough start and finishing fourth and fifth in his first two races, Doug O’Neil-trained three-year-old Vitruvian Man has had rock-solid showings over his last four races, including a third-place finish at Santa Anita in April.
While he is a long shot on Saturday, he does have the No. 1 post in the race. That, along with a solid resume, makes him an intriguing underdog pick to show at the Belmont Stakes.
8. Power Shift (12-1)
Legendary trainer Todd Pletcher has two competitors in this weekend’s race, one of them is Power Shift. A horse that is the most inexperienced with only three races on its resume. However, he did score his first career win a month ago in a showcase race before this year’s Kentucky Derby. But he also posted a sad sixth-place finish before that win.
That unpredictability and better competition are why Power Shift is an underdog this weekend. Yet his potential makes him a solid place or show bet in the race.
7. Ottinho (20-1)
Legendary trainer Chad C. Brown will have three horses competing at the Belmont Stakes. One of them is Ottinho. The three-year-old has only one career victory. However, he has never had lower than a third-place finish in his four races, and was second to Kentucky Derby contender Further Ado at the Blue Grass in April.
Ottinho is a long shot for Saturday’s race, but there is evidence that he could surprise and be in contention late. So he should be considered for Show bets.
6. Emerging Market (6-1)
The third and final Chad Brown-trained colt running on Saturday is Emerging Market. A colt that seemed like an under-the-radar sleeper at the 2026 Kentucky Derby because he scored a big victory at the Louisiana Derby in March when he outdueled Pavlovian and eventual Derby winner Golden Tempo. However, at the April event, he finished 10th.
Emerging Market is the best of the three colts Brown has in Saturday’s race, but he certainly has doubters after his performance at the Derby.
5. Chief Wallabee (3-1)
William Mott-trained colt Chief Wallabee has four races on his resume, including an appearance at this year’s Derby. After a win in his January debut, the horse has delivered sound results in his next three, including a respectable fourth-place finish at the Derby.
Chief Wallabee’s history of being in races late is a major reason why he is getting solid odds to upset Golden Tempo and Renegade to win this year’s Belmont Stakes. If bettors are looking for a secure Place and Show bet, the Chief is a good option.
4. Growth Equity (12-1)
The second Chad C. Brown horse running in the Stakes this weekend is Growth Equity. A horse with real upside and the talent to finish in the top three. After back-to-back second-place finishes to begin his career, Growth Equity has picked up serious momentum with victories in his last two, including at the Peter Pan last month.
If he shows that he can hang with the higher level of competition at the Belmont Stakes, the colt is a dark-horse contender for bettors to keep an eye on to win the Belmont Stakes. But he feels like an even better Show bet.
3. Commandment (6-1)
Brad Cox-trained colt Commandment was a popular choice to win this year’s Kentucky Derby. After a surprising fourth-place finish in his October debut, the team retooled, and Commandment got red-hot. Winning four straight before last month’s event. However, he came nowhere close to a top-three spot after finishing seventh in the race.
While he probably won’t win on Saturday, Commandment is still a strong option for Show and Place bets.
2. Golden Tempo (9-2)
Cherie DeVaux made history in April when she was the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. However, to the chagrin of horse racing fans, she did not place Golden Tempo into the Preakness Stakes and pursue the Triple Crown. However, that is likely to benefit the colt as he is rested heading into the Belmont Stakes.
In five races, Golden Tempo has three first-place finishes, and his ability to get downhill late in a race — as he did in the Derby — is why he is a top choice to win at Saratoga.
1. Renegade (2-1)
Todd Pletcher-trained colt Renegade is one of the most experienced and impressive horses in the 2026 Belmont Stakes. It is why he is a top choice to win Saturday’s race. In six races, his worst finish came in his August 2025 debut, when he finished sixth. Since then, he has reeled off three second-place and two first-place finishes.
The only reason he isn’t a heavy favorite this weekend is that he was the top pick at the Derby but finished second to fellow Belmont Stakes competitor Golden Tempo. The rematch between Renegade and Golden Tempo is the biggest story at Saratoga Springs.
