2026 Belmont Stakes Run Styles

The first two legs of the 2026 Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1), attracted plenty of speed, but Saturday’s 157th running of the $2 million Belmont (G1) features a different complexion. 

Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances identify five of the nine Belmont contestants as Sustained (S) types, confirmed closers when the pace is honest. But it’s impossible to project a fast early tempo in the 1 1/4-mile race given the lack of early speed entered.

None have set the pace in recent starts, and only two runners, Growth Equity and Powershift, are classified as Early/Pressers (E/P). Chief Wallabee has been more of a stalking type in his first four career starts, but he’s a candidate to race closer with second-time blinkers Saturday.

Let's take a look at run styles for the 2026 Belmont field.

Early/Presser

#2 Powershift adds the services of two-time Belmont winner Luis Saez and appears certain to be sent to the early lead from the inside. A frontrunning maiden winner on the Kentucky Derby undercard, Powershift showed good speed in his debut but just missed against Emerging Market. He jumped to stakes competition the second time out but lost all chance when missing the break. Powershift hasn’t earned eye-catching Brisnet Early Pace numbers, but he’s quick enough to show the way in the 2026 Belmont field, which could provide a possible tactical advantage for the up-and-comer; speed typically plays well in longer-distance races on Saratoga’s main track. Powershift will also look to ensure a decent set-up for his stablemate, late-running favorite Renegade.

#6 Growth Equity defeated only three rivals when recording a frontrunning maiden win two back and was never far back when stalking a slow early tempo in the Peter Pan (G3) last out, rallying to win his stakes debut by two lengths. Jockey Manny Franco will have options from post 6, and barring any surprising tactics from rivals, Growth Equity projects to be up close early in either second or third.

Presser

Pressers (P) prefer to stalk the early action, towards midpack if the pace is honest.

#3 Chief Wallabee doesn’t want to try and outfinish Renegade and Golden Tempo from far off the pace. And given the projected moderate-pace scenario, connections were probably glad to see him draw outside of Powershift, so Chief Wallabee did not wind up on the early lead by default with second-time blinkers. He’s still drawn towards the inside in post 3, and Chief Wallabee may look to track Powershift in second during the opening stages, waiting on his cue from jockey Junior Alvarado.

#7 Commandment dropped far behind after a slow start and moved too early in the Kentucky Derby, winding up seventh. The stalker will receive a jockey switch to two-time Belmont winner John Velazquez and won’t be nearly as far back during the opening stages. His Brisnet Speed ratings are amongst the best, and Commandment rates as a rebound candidate after a subpar performance at Churchill Downs.

Sustained

#8 Emerging Market spotted rivals seasoning while making only his third career start and appeared out of position during the early stages of the Kentucky Derby, advancing into the teeth of a blistering pace to be fourth between calls on the first turn. He lost a shoe and weakened to 12th, but Emerging Market appears no worse for wear based on his worktab, logging three works in preparation for Chad Brown. The up-close stalker could be classified as an early/presser or presser based on Brisnet Early Pace numbers, and Emerging Market may look to settle just off the early leaders. 

#4 Renegade was roughed up leaving the starting gate and bumped hard by another rival while launching his rival in the stretch run of the Kentucky Derby, closing furiously to miss by a neck to Golden Tempo. He likes to drop back early, but the Belmont field probably won’t be strung out given the pace scenario, and Renegade won’t have as much ground to make up as in previous starts this year.

#9 Golden Tempo won’t be taken out of his best run style; he will drop back early and look to make one run. Those tactics paid off in the Kentucky Derby, but the late-running colt must try to avoid leaving himself too much to do in the Belmont stretch.

#5 Ottinho has been no factor closing from minor awards in his last two starts, beaten double-digit lengths when second in the Blue Grass (G1) and third in the Withers S. And the Belmont may not set up well for the confirmed closer.

#1 Vitruvian Man is a confirmed closer with modest Brisnet Speed and Late Pace ratings to his credit. He probably needs easier competition to be effective.