Betting All-Stakes Pick 5 into 2026 Belmont

Saturday’s 158th running of the $2 million Belmont (G1) represents the final leg of the Triple Crown and highlights a dynamite 14-race program at Saratoga. A total of seven stakes, including six Grade 1s, will be offered, and the 1 1/4-mile Belmont anchors an All-Stakes Pick 5 sequence.

I will play the All-Stakes Pick 5 with the following ticket, offering analysis on the races below.

• 50-cent All-Stakes Pick 5 (Races 9-13): 3,4,9,10 with 1,6,7 with 7 with 3,6 with 2,4,7,8 ($48)

Race 9 – Jaipur (G1)

#3 Litigation (7-2) has come on as a four-year-old for Brian Lynch, opening the season with a pair of Gulfstream Park turf sprint stakes wins and recording a neck third most recently in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard. The stalker should be in position to strike leaving the far turn. #4 Works for Me (6-1) ran well at Saratoga last year and exits a nice allowance win at Keeneland. #9 Twenty Six Black (12-1) and #10 My Boy Prince (5-1) will be included after just missing against stakes rivals in the last start.

#6 AG Bullet will defend her title following a five-month layoff, but she had a prep for last year’s Jaipur and lost her 2025 comebacker at short odds. And I will take a stand against #5 Reef Runner, who will look to get back in form in a tough spot following a fourth overseas.

Race 10 – Woody Stephens (G1)

#6 Crude Velocity (9-5) will be a heavy favorite following an eye-catching win in the Pat Day Mile (G2) and won’t be left off the ticket. #7 Englishman (3-1) came up short in second last time but needed a hard race after opening his career with a pair of easy wins; he’s eligible to benefit from the experience. #1 Gilded Bandit (8-1) looks very promising for Bill Mott and will be finishing.

Race 11 – Met Mile (G1)

#7 Journalism (5-2) should relish the cut back to a mile and is perfectly positioned on the outside. Fierceness came up short from the rail when second last year, and the rail draw looks disadvantageous for #1 Nysos.

Race 12 – Manhattan (G1)

#6 Bright Picture (3-1) has come on as a five-year-old for Andre Fabre, opening the season with a pair of commendable wins at the Group 2 and Group 3 level, and the gelding looms large here following a good second to Daryz in the Prix Ganay (G1) at Longchamp. There’s some speed signed on, and Flavien Prat picks up the assignment. #3 Make Me King (8-1), a rallying second when making his U.S. debut in the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) on the Kentucky Derby undercard, will also be used from off the pace.

Race 13 – Belmont (G1)

Speed plays well in dirt routes at Saratoga, and the 1 1/4-mile Belmont lacks frontrunners. #2 Powershift (12-1) may be viewed by some as a “rabbit” for his stablemate, late-running favorite #4 Renegade (2-1), but Powershift has always been well-regarded by connections and owns a pair of Brisnet Speed ratings (98 and 94) that compare favorably to the main contenders. Powershift is my upset pick, and I will use both Todd Pletcher-trained runners on the Pick 5 ticket.

#7 Commandment (6-1) launched a premature bid entering the backstretch of the Kentucky Derby (G1), advancing into a grueling pace that ultimately took an extreme toll on the frontrunners, and couldn’t sustain his move in the latter stages, winding up seventh. His previous Brisnet numbers remain top-notch, and a better trip is expected. I will also use #8 Emerging Market (6-1), who made only his third start in the Kentucky Derby and figures to benefit significantly from the experience.