The last jewel of the Triple Crown has finally arrived! Stay with us throughout today to get Belmont Stakes 2026 predictions, odds on the Belmont Stakes and the entire undercard, in-depth contender analysis as we explore Belmont Stakes horses and everything they have to offer, picks, results and more. Don't miss a stride of our wire-to-wire coverage as the Triple Crown comes to an end.

INDEX

Odds for the Belmont Stakes

Current Belmont Stakes Odds

The odds for the Belmont Stakes is your ultimate map to the race. Whether you're a newcomer and searching for who the public is betting to win, or an expert handicapper monitoring the fluctuating odds to find that hidden value to maximize payout, you'll want to take a long look and monitor these Belmont Stakes live odds. 

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Belmont Stakes 2026 Predictions

Belmont Stakes picks

Belmont Stakes 2026 Prediction are in! Discover a variety of Belmont Stakes picks, including longshot picks, exotics, betting on a budget, and more. Take a close look at theses Belmont picks before placing your best bet!

Tipsheet: 2026 Belmont Stakes

Belmont Stakes Picks

• #4 Renegade
• #3 Chief Wallabee
• #7 Commandment

Belmont Stakes Wagers

• $40 win #4 Renegade
• $20 exacta box 3-4
• 50-cent superfecta 3,4 with 3,4,7,8 with 3,4,7,8,9 with 3,4,7,8,9

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Betting the 2026 Belmont Stakes on Different Budgets

$25 Budget

• $1 trifecta 3,4 with 3,4,7,8,9 with 3,4,7,8,9 ($24)

$50 Budget

• $10 exacta box 3-4 ($20)
• $5 trifecta 4 with 3 with 7,8,9 ($15)
• $5 trifecta 4 with 7,8,9 with 3 ($15)

$100 Budget

• $4 trifecta key 4 with 3,7,8,9 ($48)
• $1 superfecta key 4 with 3,7,8,9 ($24)
• $1 superfecta 3,7,8,9 with 4 with 3,7,8,9 with 3,7,8,9 ($24)

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The best longshot to bet in the 2026 Belmont Stakes

#8 Emerging Market (6-1) seems to be the best longshot to bet in this Belmont. While he fared the worst of the Kentucky Derby starters in this field, finishing 10th, keep in mind he was racing closer to the hot pace than any of them in that closer-dominated race. He also reportedly lost a shoe, which might have affected how he finished in the final quarter mile. And you have to give Emerging Market credit for beating the eventual Derby winner, Golden Tempo, in the Louisiana Derby (G2) off a single previous start.

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Going Beyond the 2026 Belmont Stakes picks

If you're searching for more fun throughout the day before the main event this afternoon, look no further than theses Belmont Stakes day undercard picks. 

• How to bet the 2026 New York Stakes
• Tipsheet: 2026 Manhattan Stakes
• Exotics Plays for the Jaipur Stakes
• New York Stakes International Scouting Report: Cankoura

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2026 Belmont Stakes Betting Guide

Master the Final Jewel: The TwinSpires 2026 Belmont Stakes Betting Guide Has Arrived.

When the gates open for the 2026 Belmont Stakes, make sure you have the ultimate data advantage with the Official 2026 Belmont Stakes Betting Guide. TwinSpires brings you the definitive betting blueprint for the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Gain instant access to elite insider intelligence!

• Belmont Stakes Expert Picks & Strategies: Elite handicapping combinations from the industry's best.
• Belmont Stakes Horses & Speed Ratings: Uncover the raw data behind every entry.
• Best Longshot for the Belmont Stakes: Identify the longshots primed with the possibility of breaking the tote board.
• Complete Belmont Stakes Day Schedule: Track every stakes race from morning to post time.

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Belmont Stakes Betting Calculator

Still wondering if those picks for the Belmont are your best bets? Calculate those bets using our Belmont Stakes betting calculator. Bet with confidence here with TwinSpires!

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Belmont Stakes 2026 horses

Belmont Stakes 2026 horses create a competitive field of nine, with returning Kentucky Derby runners and new horses standing strong as Belmont entries. Let's take a closer look at each Belmont horse before placing those best bets. 

INDEX

The Horse at a Glance

Vitruvian Man is the morning-line longest shot in the field at 30-1, and the candid assessment from most analysts confirms that he has significant ground to make up against the favorites. However, there is a compelling human story here: celebrity ownership through Run Fast Racing (which includes music stars Lil Wayne and Lil Yachty) has given this horse outsized attention. 

His trainer, Doug O'Neill, is a two-time Kentucky Derby winner who believes he has found the key to unlocking this horse's potential through a new equipment change. And his inside post gives him a genuine tactical option as a closer.

• Owner: Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing Inc. & Run Fast Racing
• Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill
• Jockey: Antonio Fresu
• Breeder: Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing Inc.
• Career Record: 6 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds (6-1-1-2)
• Career Earnings: $142,345
• Top Brisnet Speed Figure: 92

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Vino Rosso | Dam: Caradini (by Bernardini)

Vino Rosso won the 2018 Jockey Club Gold Cup and Breeders' Cup Classic and is a son of Curlin — one of the premier stamina-sires in the sport. On the dam's side, Caradini is by Bernardini, a 2006 Preakness winner known for producing stamina. The pedigree stacks two distance influences together and is described as "bred to excel at distance." The pedigree argument for Vitruvian Man is legitimate — he is not a mismatch for the distance.

Racing Record

• Churchill Downs – Maiden: Second in a starter allowance
• Turfway Park – Optional-claiming allowance: Third
• Keeneland – Maiden (October 2025): Won — broke his maiden in his third try
• Multiple turf/mixed-surface attempts: Mixed record including turf stakes
• Santa Anita Derby (G1), April 2026: Third behind So Happy

The Santa Anita Derby third was at 47-1 odds — a significant achievement for a horse who had previously been competing at lower levels. O'Neill noted: "He's always shown a lot of talent, he was just a little slow to come around." It took three tries to break the maiden, and his overall record of 1-for-6 with limited stakes success reflects a horse who is still developing — or may have reached his ceiling.

Belmont Stakes Post Position Analysis

Post 1 is typically viewed with mixed feelings in a stretch-out race. The benefit? Maximum ground savings if he can find a clean path early. The risk? If he bears in as he has previously, the inside rail makes it worse. Additionally, as a closer from the inside post, he will likely have to angle out to find running room in the stretch - adding distance.

Key Angles for Handicappers

• Pedigree supports the distance: Vino Rosso and Bernardini is a genuine classic staying cross
• O'Neill's confidence: A two-time Derby-winning trainer who is publicly optimistic about this horse's Belmont chances

Concerns & Red Flags

• Speed figures 15 points below top contenders: A top figure of 92 compares to 100 for Golden Tempo's Derby win and 103 for Commandment. That gap is difficult to look past.
• Erratic form: Mixed-surface trips, turf attempts, multiple third-place finishes reflect an inconsistent horse
• Class concerns: Stepping from a Santa Anita Derby third (against a softer field) to facing the actual Derby winner and runner-up is a significant class jump

Bottom Line

A legitimate longshot who is best used in the superfecta and exotic tickets rather than straight win betting. The pedigree works. The class gap is real. If you want a piece of the exotics at 30-1, Vitruvian Man gives you a different pedigree angle and a trainer with Belmont prep experience.

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The Horse at a Glance

Powershift is an intriguing contender in the Belmont field — a lightly raced colt with a speed figure worth noting, who has never run in a Grade 1 stakes race and is making only his fourth career start in one of the most prestigious Grade 1 races. He is the second string in Todd Pletcher's two-horse Belmont operation, but his recent training reports — including breezing in tandem with morning-line favorite Renegade at Saratoga — have sparked significant handicapper interest. He could be the pace-setter that the deep closers desperately need to have in front of them.

• Owner: Repole Stable (Mike Repole)
• Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
• Jockey: Luis Saez
• Career Earnings: $81,896
• Career Record: 3 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 1 sixth (3-1-1-0)
• Morning Line: 12-1

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Constitution | Dam: By Quiet American

Constitution is a son of Tapit, who is one of the great classic-distance sires in American racing history. Multiple Belmont Stakes winners have come from the Tapit line. Constitution himself won the Florida Derby (G1) and is known for producing horses that handle route distances. The distance question for Powershift is legitimate, but Constitution's Tapit connection provides enough staying influence to make the 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga a reasonable ask rather than a hopeless one.

Racing Record

• Start 1 – Tampa Bay Downs (Maiden, ~1 Mile): Second by ¾ length to Emerging Market — his debut, immediately competitive
• Start 2 – Tampa Bay Derby (G2), 1 1/16M: Sixth — a nonthreatening performance in his first stakes attempt
• Start 3 – Churchill Downs, 1 1/16M Maiden Special Weight (Derby undercard): WON by 2 3/4 lengths — earned a 98 Brisnet Speed Figure — an extraordinary number for a maiden race

The Speed Figure Story

The most significant fact about Powershift is his top speed figure. A 98 Brisnet Speed Figure in a maiden race is a respectable number — it significantly outpaces what most horses in this Belmont field have produced at the maiden level. This numbers suggest a horse with the possibility of significant latent ability that has only been glimpsed once, in ideal conditions. The question every handicapper must answer: was that figure real, or was it a track-condition/pace-distorted anomaly?

The Pletcher-Repole Connection

Mike Repole co-owns both Renegade (the favorite) and Powershift — and both are trained by Todd Pletcher. In 2022, the same Repole-Pletcher partnership won the Belmont Stakes with Mo Donegal. Pletcher now seeks his fifth Belmont win with two horses from the same owner. Running a stablemate to the favorite gives Pletcher multiple tactical options: Powershift can set or press the pace early, potentially softening things up for Renegade's late charge.

The Saratoga Workout — Key Training Intelligence

Powershift breezes at Saratoga in tandem with Renegade — a deliberate workout pairing arranged by Pletcher. The fact that Repole and Pletcher chose to run him after seeing those workouts is not a casual decision. They are confident enough in what they saw at Saratoga to send him into a Grade 1 at 1 1/4 miles with just three starts under his belt.

Run Style & How the Race Sets Up

Powershift is a stalker with forward speed — he could press the pace or even lead from post 2. For handicappers who believe the historical trend (pace-pressers/stalkers win Belmonts), Powershift's running style is ideal. If he establishes a comfortable position in the first turn from post 2 and controls moderate fractions, he could last longer than his odds suggest while the deep closers find themselves too far back. He has the potential to be the pacesetter for the race.

Key Angles for Handicappers

Excellent speed figure for only three races: Top Brisnet Speed of 98 suggests significant untapped ability

• Favorable running style: Post 2 with forward speed equates to a perfect pace-presser profile for the Belmont's historical trends
• Elite connections: Pletcher/Repole won this race in 2022; same formula, different horse
• Lightly raced: Only three starts means physical freshness and room for improvement
• Luis Saez: A rider who has won the Belmont Stakes twice before (Essential Quality in 2021, Dornoch in 2024)

Concerns & Red Flags

• Stakes inexperience: Has never run in a Grade 1 stakes race. Jumping from maiden company and a 6th place in a Grade 3 to a Grade 1 is a massive ask.
• Tampa Bay Derby: His sixth-place finish in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby suggests he is not fully formed at the stakes level.
• Distance uncertainty: Pedigree analysts note his female family tends toward sprints and middle distances. The 1 1/4 miles is genuinely uncertain territory.
• Class jump: The gap between a maiden field on the Derby undercard and a Grade 1 field containing the Derby winner and runner-up is enormous.

Bottom Line

The wildcard. A lightly raced, forward-running colt with a respectable speed figure, elite connections, and the most historically favorable running style in the race. If the speed figure and distance holds, he could be a possible strong competitor within the competitive field. If he is not yet at Grade 1 level, he will be passed before the stretch. At 12-1, the price compensates for the uncertainty. A logical inclusion in exotics for anyone who wants exposure to an upset.

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The Horse at a Glance

Chief Wallabee arrives at the Belmont with a quietly powerful narrative: the exact trainer-jockey combination that won last year's Belmont Stakes — Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado with Sovereignty — is back, pointing this horse at the same race. That is not a coincidence. It is a loud confidence signal from people who know exactly what winning here looks like. He finished a creditable fourth in the Kentucky Derby and adds blinkers for this start, which his trainer says has had a positive effect on his focus.

• Owner: Michael & Katherine G. Ball
• Trainer: William I. Mott
• Jockey: Junior Alvarado
• Breeder: Mike Ball & Katherine Ball (homebred)
• Color/Sex: Bay Colt, born February 6, 2023
• Career Earnings: $466,600
• Career Record: 4 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 1 third, 1 fourth (4-1-1-1)

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Constitution | Dam: A La Lucie (by Medaglia d'Oro; grandsire Ghostzapper)

Constitution, Chief Wallabee's sire, is himself a son of Tapit — one of the premier sires of classic distance horses. Constitution won the Florida Derby (G1) as a racehorse and has established himself as a stallion capable of producing horses that handle a mile and a quarter or more. His dam, A La Lucie, layers in Medaglia d'Oro (Grade 1 champion) and Ghostzapper (Grade 1 champion) — two more proven stamina influences. The pedigree page on Chief Wallabee shows three distinct classic stamina signals stacked on top of each other.

However, A La Lucie is unraced, making her an unknown quantity as a broodmare. There is no track record to evaluate on the dam's side beyond the pedigree names themselves.

Racing Record

• January 10, 2026 – Gulfstream Park, 7f Maiden: Won by 1/2 length at 5-2 odds — debut victory with Junior Alvarado
• February 28, 2026 – Fountain of Youth (G2), Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16M: Second by a neck — lost a photo finish to Commandment; a heartbreaking near-miss in his first stakes try
• March 28, 2026 – Florida Derby (G1), Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8M: Third behind Commandment and The Puma — the Florida Derby has produced 7 of the last 20 Kentucky Derby winners
• May 2, 2026 – Kentucky Derby (G1), Churchill Downs: Fourth

The Fountain of Youth & Florida Derby — Context

Chief Wallabee's record on paper looks modest, but context is everything in handicapping. In his Fountain of Youth start, he lost by a nose to Commandment, a horse who has proven to be a legitimate Grade 1 performer. In the Florida Derby, he ran third behind that same rival. Both trips may have been adversely affected by pace scenarios and race flow. His trainer believes both performances understated the horse's true ability.

Run Style & How the Race Sets Up

Chief Wallabee is a pace-presser and stalker — he typically races within striking distance of the leaders and makes his move in the stretch. This running style is historically favorable at the Belmont's 1 1/4-mile distance at Saratoga. Per trend research, pace-pressers/stalkers who are within 4 1/2 lengths of the lead after the first half-mile account for the vast majority of winners. Post 3 is a good draw — close enough to the inside to save ground, positioned well to track leaders.

Key Angles for Handicappers

• Trainer-jockey continuity: Mott and Alvarado won this exact race last year with Sovereignty. Both know the blueprint. The barn is deliberately targeting the Belmont with this horse.
• Favorable running style: Unlike deep closers Renegade and Golden Tempo, Chief Wallabee runs closer to the pace — historically the preferred profile for Belmont winners.
• Post 3: A forgiving draw that allows him to save ground on the rail without being trapped.
• Upward form projection: Each of his races has come against better competition, and each has been competitive. His rate of improvement has been steady.
• Florida Derby pipeline: Seven of the last 20 Kentucky Derby winners came out of the Florida Derby — and Chief Wallabee ran third in that race.

Concerns & Red Flags

Chief Wallabee has not yet won a graded stakes race, which means his record does not definitively confirm Grade 1 ability. His one win came in a maiden race. He has run second, third, and fourth in his subsequent three starts — consistently competitive, but not dominant. His dam is unraced, meaning the pedigree has an unknown element. At 3-1 odds, the market is pricing him as the second choice — that may be a slight overestimation if the pace doesn't set up for a stalker. If early fractions are slow, his forward-running style could cause him to tire late against fresher closers.

Bottom Line

The most historically favorable running style in the field for this race. The exact trainer-jockey combination that won this race a year ago. A genuine pace-presser on the improve, drawn ideally in post 3. His odds of 3-1 reflect market respect that is justified given the running style advantage. The question is whether his class ceiling is high enough to beat perceivably stronger competitors like Renegade and Golden Tempo, who have already run faster at the highest level.

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The Horse at a Glance

Renegade enters as the morning-line favorite for very good reason. He nearly won the Kentucky Derby, losing by a neck to Golden Tempo after suffering a brutal trip right out of the gate. Irad Ortiz Jr. had his pick of multiple top contenders this spring and chose Renegade. That endorsement alone is a powerful signal for handicappers. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, who has won four Belmont Stakes, Renegade will draw post 4 — a far more favorable position than the outside post where he faced chaos in the Derby.

• Owner: Robert & Lawana L. Low & Repole Stable (Mike Repole)
• Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
• Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
• Breeder: Robert Low & Lawana Low
• Color/Sex: Bay Colt
• Career Earnings: $2,031,500
• Career Record: 6 starts, 2 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third (6-2-3-1)

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Into Mischief | Dam: Spice Is Nice (by Curlin)

This is arguably the most stacked stamina pedigree in the race. Into Mischief is the dominant sire of the modern era — his sons and daughters consistently combine speed with the ability to handle classic distances. The dam, Spice Is Nice, was a graded stakes winner herself and comes from the Curlin family, which — crucially — is the same Curlin who sired Derby winner Golden Tempo. That means the two main protagonists in this race both carry Curlin's staying influence in their bloodlines.

The broodmare sire of Sovereignty (2025 Belmont winner) is also Bernardini, the same influence in Renegade's female family. 

Racing Record

• Saratoga – Maiden Special Weight: Third place in debut
• Belmont At the Big A – 1 Mile MSW: Progressing to a second place win
• Aqueduct – Remsen Stakes (G2): Finished second to Paladin — a strong result in an important prep
• Tampa Bay – Sam F. Davis (G2): Won the Grade 2 with a powerful late surge, collecting 20 Kentucky Derby qualifying points
• Oaklawn – Arkansas Derby (G1): Won with a last-to-first rally — a dominant performance
• Churchill Downs – Kentucky Derby (G1): Finished second by a neck after a rough start out of the gate

The Derby Trip — Critical Context for Handicappers

With his win just slightly out of reach during Kentucky Derby 2026 with such a rough break from the gate and throughout the race. In a clean trip, would Renegade have won the Derby? The margin was a neck and he was interfered with at two critical moments of acceleration. A repeat of that effort with a clean trip almost certainly means a Belmont win. Post 4 gives him a clean runway to settle into his preferred position and launch his devastating finishing kick.

Run Style & How the Race Sets Up

Renegade is a deep closer who races from off the pace and launches a powerful late charge. At Saratoga, he'll likely sit in the back third of the field through the early fractions before Irad Ortiz asks him to accelerate on the turn. The concern about deep closers, like Renegade and Golden Tempo, applies here. However, Renegade's late figures are sufficient enought that even from far back, he can make up ground quickly if there's room to run.

Key Angles for Handicappers

• Jockey choice: Irad Ortiz Jr. turned down multiple top mounts to ride Renegade. Elite jockeys with options do not pick losers by accident.
• Trainer edge: Pletcher has won 4 Belmonts from 42 starters since 2000.
• Improved post: Moving from a difficult Derby post to the clean post 4 removes the biggest execution risk that cost him at Churchill Downs.
• Derby form upgrade: When a horse runs his best race while being interfered with, the natural form projection for the next start is even better.

Concerns & Red Flags

The primary concern is running style bias. Historical Belmont trends at Saratoga (and at the traditional 1 1/2-mile distance) favor horses who press the pace rather than close from deep. Seven of the last ten Belmont winners were within  1/2 lengths of the lead at the half-mile mark. Renegade and Golden Tempo are both deep closers, which means this race could come down to whether the pace is fast enough to set them up. If Powershift or Growth Equity control a comfortable tempo, both closers could find themselves in trouble. Additionally, Pletcher favorites have a historically complicated Kentucky Derby record — but the Belmont is a different story.

Bottom Line

The legitimate favorite who could have possibly won the Derby if had a better run. Better post, same great connections, devastating finishing kick, excellent jockey endorsement. The main risk is pace-scenario dependency — if this field doesn't generate honest early fractions, Renegade could be left wanting. Bet the talent and the pedigree, but understand the execution risk.

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The Horse at a Glance

Ottinho is one of three horses Chad Brown is sending out in the 2026 Belmont Stakes, and he is the most lightly experienced of the trio. He carries a fascinating piece of pedigree trivia: he is a half-brother to Gun Runner, the 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic champion and Horse of the Year who has become one of the elite sires in the industry. That family connection provides genuine staying-power genetics. However, Ottinho himself has only one career win out of four starts

• Owner: Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba)
• Trainer: Chad Brown
• Jockey: Dylan Davis
• Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm, LLC
• Career Earnings: $324,700
• Career Record: 4 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds (4-1-1-2)

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Quality Road | Dam: Quiet Giant (by Scat Daddy)

Quality Road is a route sire — he won the Donn Handicap (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1) and has consistently produced horses capable of handling longer distances. Giant's Causeway as a marathon influence in the extended pedigree, suggesting distance aptitude is bred into the horse. The critical pedigree angle is the half-sibling to Gun Runner: same dam, different sire. Gun Runner was bred by Three Chimneys Farm — the same operation that owns Ottinho — and became a dominant racehorse and now a blue-chip sire. When a full sibling to a champion enters a classic race, the family precedent is at least worth noting.

Racing Record

• Nov. 23, 2025 – Aqueduct, 1M MSW: Third at 2-1 odds (Flavien Prat up) — debut, competitive
• Dec. 31, 2025 – Aqueduct, 1 1/8M Maiden: Won by a head at 3-2 odds — breakthrough maiden win on New Year's Eve
• Feb. 6, 2026 – Aqueduct, 1 1/8M Withers Stakes: Third at 2-1 odds (Jose Lezcano up) — first stakes attempt
• Apr. 4, 2026 – Blue Grass Stakes (G1), Keeneland, 1 1/8M: Second at 13-1 odds — beaten by 11 lengths by Further Ado

The Blue Grass Performance — What to Make of It

In the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Ottinho finished second — technically an in-the-money result. But he was beaten by 11 lengths, which is an enormous margin and suggests he was not competitive against Further Ado at the highest level. He did show stamina by passing horses late to claim second, which is a positive sign for a horse now stepping to 1 1/4 miles. His connections deliberately bypassed the Kentucky Derby to give him extra time to develop — he arrives at the Belmont with "just over two months of rest upon his return, nearly a month more than any other contender."

The Two-Month Rest — Is It a Positive or Negative?

Chad Brown chose to skip the Kentucky Derby with Ottinho after the Blue Grass, giving him an unusually long gap before the Belmont. This is either a sign that he is a horse who needs time between races and trains better with longer intervals, or connections believed he was not ready for the Derby field and opted to use the Belmont as a soft landing. Given that three Chad Brown runners are in this race, Ottinho is the third-most regarded of the trio — behind Emerging Market (6-1) and Growth Equity (12-1). His 20-1 odds reflect that hierarchy.

Key Angles for Handicappers

• Half-brother to Gun Runner: Family precedent for stamina and class
• Quality Rest: Two-month freshness gap could produce an improved performance
• Chad Brown barn: Three runners means Brown has multiple tactical options; he knows the Saratoga circuit thoroughly
• Improving distance: Each career start has been at 1 1/8 miles or a mile — the Blue Grass was contested at 1 1/8M, meaning the Belmont's 1¼M is an extension

Concerns & Red Flags

• Beaten 11 lengths in the Blue Grass: The margin of defeat, not just the placing, matters. A second-place finish by 11 lengths is essentially a blowout loss.
• Only one career win: From four starts, just the maiden victory. Has not won a stakes race.
• Speed figures well below field: His top figures are below those of the Derby 1-2 and other key rivals.
• Unproven at the Belmont distance: Has raced exclusively at 1 1/8 miles — the extra furlong is genuinely untested.

Bottom Line

An intriguing longshot with genuine family stamina credentials and a strategically fresh body going into the race. His 20-1 odds are likely accurate given his form limitations, but he is not a horse to dismiss entirely from superfecta tickets. The Gun Runner connection and Chad Brown's track record keep him in the conversation as a live longshot.

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The Horse at a Glance

Growth Equity is the horse with the most compelling "fresh shooter" narrative in this field. He did not run in the Kentucky Derby, bypassing the Derby trail to point directly at the Belmont via the traditional local prep — the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. That exact path was followed by 2023 Belmont winner Arcangelo and 2014 winner Tonalist. If you are looking for a horse that has been specifically prepared for this race rather than arriving here as an afterthought, Growth Equity fits the description.

• Owner: Klaravich Stables, Inc. (Seth Klarman)
• Trainer: Chad Brown
• Jockey: Manny Franco
• Breeder: Stone Farm
• Career Earnings: $187,600
• Career Record: 4 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds

Ownership Note — The Klaravich Empire

Klaravich Stables is a powerful and well-resourced operationin racing. Chad Brown has been partners for years with the stable and won the Preakness Stakes twice together (Cloud Computing in 2017, Early Voting in 2022). Both are still seeking their first Belmont win — which provides enormous motivation for this horse's Belmont preparation.

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Nyquist | Dam: My Dear Venezuela

Nyquist was himself a Kentucky Derby winner (2016), meaning Growth Equity is a son of a Derby winner trying to win the Belmont. Nyquist's offspring have shown an ability to handle classic distances, and the presence of classic-winning bloodlines in the sire line is always a positive at 1 1/4 miles.

Racing Record

• Start 1 (maiden at Saratoga): Did not win (2nd) — took three tries to break his maiden
• Start 2 (maiden at Gulfstream Park): Did not win (2nd) — still developing
• Start 3 (maiden win at Aqueduct): Won — finally broke through, showing late-developing improvement
• Start 4 (May 9, 2026) – Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Belmont at the Big A: Won — the Belmont's traditional local prep. 2023 winner Arcangelo used the same path.

Career Record: 4 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds (4-2-2-0)

The Peter Pan Connection — Historical Significance

The Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct is the time-honored local prep race for the Belmont. In recent history, Tonalist (2014 Belmont winner) and Arcangelo (2023 Belmont winner) both followed this exact path: Peter Pan to Belmont, bypassing the Derby entirely. This is not a coincidence — Brown and Klarman are deliberately replicating a winning formula. A horse who wins the Peter Pan and then steps up to the Belmont carrying fresh legs and no Derby mileage on him is a legitimate tactical play, not just a long shot.

Run Style & How the Race Sets Up

Growth Equity figures to be a pace-presser or stalker based on his running style in the Peter Pan. He could be "one of the few here with early foot" — his ability to press the pace from post 6 means he could establish a comfortable position in the first turn and dictate fractions that suit him rather than the deep closers. If he goes to the lead or sits just off it, he forces Golden Tempo and Renegade to come from even further behind.

Key Angles for Handicappers

• Peter Pan pipeline: Arcangelo (2023) and Tonalist (2014) both won the Belmont directly off the Peter Pan. This is a proven path.
• Freshness advantage: No Derby, no Preakness. The freshest horse in the field from a mileage standpoint.
• Never out of the exacta: 4 starts, never finished worse than second. Consistency matters.
• Chad Brown: A five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer who knows the New York circuit better than almost anyone. His home turf, Mechanicville, is near Saratoga — he is extremely familiar with this venue.
• Klaravich motivation: Both owner and trainer are seeking their first Belmont win. That motivation produces meticulous preparation.

Concerns & Red Flags

• Limited stakes experience: The Peter Pan was essentially Growth Equity's first significant stakes effort. Jumping from that to a Grade 1 against the Derby winner and runner-up is a significant class jump.
• Slow developer: It took him three tries to break his maiden. Horses who struggle to win at the lowest level sometimes have a ceiling below the highest grade.
• Speed figures below the leaders: His speed figures are likely below those in the field like Golden Tempo, Renegade, Commandment, and more. The class gap is real.

Bottom Line

The most compelling "fresh shooter" in the race, with a trainer-owner combination that has specifically planned this exact campaign. The historical Peter Pan connection is real and not to be dismissed. At 12-1 he represents genuine value for a horse who has been meticulously prepared for this moment. The risk is a class jump from a Grade 3 prep to the Grade 1 Belmont against the Derby exacta — but that is exactly what Arcangelo did in 2023.

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The Horse at a Glance

Commandment arrived at the Kentucky Derby as the points leader on the Road to the Derby and ran a respectable race. He is the most accomplished horse in this field on a race-by-race win basis, having won four of his first five starts including the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth (G2). His prep sequence — Fountain of Youth followed by the Florida Derby — is the exact blueprint that produced 2025 Derby winner Sovereignty. Brad Cox, one of the premier trainers in the country, has navigated this path successfully before with Into Mischief horses.

• Owner: Wathnan Racing (Tameem Binhamad KH H Al-Thani)
• Trainer: Brad H. Cox
• Jockey: John Velazquez
• Breeder: Lee Pokoik
• Color/Sex: Bay Colt
• Career Earnings: $1,017,339
• Career Record: 6 starts, 4 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, 1 fourth (6-4-0-0)

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Into Mischief | Dam: Sippican Harbor (daughter of Orb, 2013 Kentucky Derby winner)

This is a genuinely elite pedigree. Into Mischief is the sire of the era — his sons have won three of the last several Kentucky Derbies, and trainer Brad Cox won the 2021 Derby with Into Mischief's son Mandaloun. The dam is a daughter of Orb, the 2013 Kentucky Derby winner, who won the Spinaway (G1) as a racehorse. When a stallion as dominant as Into Mischief is crossed with a mare from the Orb family, the speed-stamina blend that results has a proven record at classic distances. This pedigree mirrors the blueprint that defined recent Into Mischief Derby winners.

Racing Record

• Nov. 1, 2025 – Churchill Downs, Maiden Special Weight: Won by 5 1/4 lengths at 7-5 odds — dominant maiden after a 4th at Keeneland during her debut maiden race in October 2025
• Jan. 3, 2026 – Mucho Macho Man Stakes (Gulfstream Park), 1 Mile: Won by 6 3/4 lengths at 1-2 odds — an emphatic allowance win
• Oct. 4, 2025 – Keeneland (debut/maiden): Fourth — his only loss before the winning streak
• Feb. 28, 2026 – Fountain of Youth (G2): Won by a neck over Chief Wallabee — his first graded stakes win
• Mar. 28, 2026 – Florida Derby (G1): Won by a nose over The Puma in a thriller — proving he can fight
• May 2, 2026 - Kentucky Derby (G2): Placed seventh out a very competitive field. Is the Belmont Commandment's comeback story?

What the Florida Derby Win Shows

In the Florida Derby, Commandment launched a furious late rally to catch The Puma in the final strides and prevailed by a nose. Winning a Grade 1 in a photo finish shows heart — the ability to keep fighting when a rival is right beside you. The Florida Derby has produced 7 winners in the last 20 Kentucky Derbies. His four-race winning streak before the Derby is the longest active streak in this Belmont field.

Jockey Change — The Critical Red Flag

Here is the most important caveat on Commandment: both Irad Ortiz Jr. and Flavien Prat declined this horse in favor of other mounts. Two of the best jockeys in North America independently looked at Commandment and chose to ride someone else. John Velazquez is an experienced Hall of Fame rider and capable of winning any race — but the fact that two other high quality jockeys, like John Velazquez, passed is a subtle and meaningful signal that deserves weight in handicapping decisions. Ortiz chose Renegade. Prat chose Emerging Market.

Additionally, Commandment moves to post 7 — a wider draw that is less ideal than inside posts for a stalker at Saratoga.

Run Style & How the Race Sets Up

Commandment is best described as a stalker who can make a powerful late move. His winning style in the Florida Derby — launching from well back and running down the leader — shows he can produce a big finishing kick. However, his running style at Saratoga from post 7 will require Velazquez to navigate carefully to avoid being wide through the turns.

Key Angles for Handicappers

• Unbeaten in stakes prior to the Derby: His only career loss before the Derby was a non-stakes fourth. 
• Form line similarity to Sovereignty: The Fountain of Youth to the Florida Derby to the Belmont sequence produced last year's Belmont winner. Commandment followed the same exact path.
• Into Mischief at the classics: Brad Cox has won a Derby with an Into Mischief horse. The pedigree is proven at this level.

Concerns & Red Flags

• Jockey turn down: Two elite riders passed on this horse. That is the clearest warning sign in his profile.
• Post 7: Wider draw increases early pace pressure and the chance of a wide, ground-losing trip through the first turn.
• Kentucky Derby result: He finished outside the top four in the Derby in seventh, suggesting his ceiling may have been reached, but everyone loves a comeback story.

Bottom Line

A legitimately talented horse with a pedigree that matches the Belmont blueprint and a record of winning at the stakes level. At 6-1 he offers some value if you believe Velazquez can get him a clean trip from post 7.

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Horse at a Glance

Emerging Market had a great career record until the Derby where he finished 10th. Without a significant amount of growth Emerging Market would be a great longshot choice at most, expecially considering a portion of the field competing for the third jewel of the Triple Crown are former Kentucky Derby contenders that were successful in this year's Derby. 

• Owner: Klaravich Stables, Inc. (Seth Klarman)
• Trainer: Chad Brown
• Jockey: Flavien Prat
• Breeder: Stoneriggs Farm
• Career Earnings: $618,880
• Career Record: 3 starts, 2 wins — unbeaten entering the Kentucky Derby

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Candy Ride | Dam: Wild Empress (by Empire Maker)

Emerging Market was purchased for $185,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the first stakes winner produced from the Empire Maker mare, Wild Empress, who is a half-sister to Grade-1 winning champion She Be Wild. His pedigree and running style as indicating "that classic distances will be well within his scope. His Brisnet Speed ratings of 92 last out and 102 top speed are healthy figures.

Racing Record

• Feb. 7, 2026 – Tampa Bay Downs, ~1M+70y Maiden:Won — victorious on debut
• Mar. 21, 2026 – Louisiana Derby (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 3/16M: Won by a head — earning 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
• May 2, 2026 – Kentucky Derby (G1), Churchill Downs: Tenth — could not compete with more experienced contenders. 

The Louisiana Derby Win — Key Race Context

Golden Tempo finished third behind Emerging Market and Pavlovian in the Louisiana Derby — meaning Emerging Market has already beaten the Kentucky Derby winner in a stakes race. That form line is the centerpiece of his Belmont case. Flavien Prat was aboard for both wins and retains the mount for the Belmont.

Belmont Outlook 

The Belmont preview is direct, Emerging Market found himself too close to the demanding Derby pace. The Chad Brown pupil already owns a win over Golden Tempo in the Louisiana Derby, and a more typical race shape would suit him better. This captures the key argument precisely — his Derby tenth was a pace-related reversal, not a reflection of his true ability.

Key Angles for Handicappers

• Beaten the Kentucky Derby winner (Golden Tempo) in the Louisiana Derby (G2)
• Unbeaten in two starts before the Kentucky Derby; his early career record is perfect
• Brisnet Speed ratings of 92 last time out and 102 top speed are strong for a lightly raced horse
• Flavien Prat, who has ridden him in every win, keeps the mount and understands this horse's needs
• Chad Brown sends out three horses; tactical flexibility across the field
• A different race shape at the Belmont may suit him better
• Has room to improve with just three races under his belt — his ceiling is still unknown

Concerns & Red Flags

• His Derby tenth showed he can be placed in the wrong position; if ridden too aggressively again, the result could repeat
• Only three career starts; limited experience heading into another Grade 1
• Post 8 is a wide draw; will need to find a good early position without using excessive energy

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Belmont Stakes horse at a glance

Golden Tempo is the Kentucky Derby winner — the freshest, most accomplished horse in this field. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, who made history as the first woman ever to train a Kentucky Derby winner, this son of Curlin is now bidding for a second jewel to add to the Triple Crown. His trainer deliberately skipped the Preakness Stakes to give this colt maximum rest heading into the Belmont, a decision that has divided opinion but gives him a fresh-legged edge over rivals who have run hard in recent weeks.

• Owner: Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola)
• Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
• Jockey: Jose Ortiz
• Breeder: Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stables, LLC
• Color/Sex: Bay Colt, born February 7, 2023
• Career Earnings: $3,433,000 (Kentucky Derby purse not fully reflected)
• Career Record: 5 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds

Pedigree Deep Dive

Sire: Curlin | Dam: Carrumba

Curlin is one of the most celebrated stallions in modern American racing — a two-time Horse of the Year and champion who earned over $10 million on the track. His progeny are renowned for their stamina, class, and ability to improve as they age and face tougher competition. This makes a Curlin son a natural fit for a classic distance.

Golden Tempo's dam, Carrumba, adds further staying influence through the Bernardini bloodline on the female side — the same Bernardini who appears in Renegade's pedigree. Bernardini was himself a 2006 Preakness Stakes winner and is recognized as an influential broodmare sire. Golden Tempo possesses a great stand in distance pedigree in this nine-horse field.

Racing Record

• Dec. 20, 2025 – Fair Grounds (Maiden): Won by 1 1/2 lengths at 5-2 odds — debut victory over six furlongs
• Jan. 17, 2026 – Lecomte Stakes (G3), Fair Grounds: Won by 3/4 length at 5-2 odds — a last-to-first rally that announced him as a serious Derby contender
• Feb. 14, 2026 – Risen Star Stakes (G2), Fair Grounds: Finished third, beaten by 6 lengths — showed he was still developing
• Mar. 21, 2026 – Louisiana Derby (G2), Fair Grounds: Finished third by one length behind Pavlovian and Emerging Market — another competitive effort without a win, but showing growth
• May 2, 2026 – Kentucky Derby (G1), Churchill Downs: WON — defeated Renegade by a neck

The Kentucky Derby Victory — What It Means

Golden Tempo's Derby win was not a fluke. A performance like that stamps him as a genuine classic horse. The winning margin of a neck over the highly regarded Renegade shows his determination in a fight. He settled fifth during the race, saving ground along the inside, and then found a gap to launch his winning move. His trainer's decision to skip the Preakness and point straight to the Belmont means he arrives fresh, while several rivals have already run hard again in recent weeks.

Run Style & How the Race Sets Up

Golden Tempo is a deep closer — he typically races toward the rear of the field and unleashes a powerful late charge. This style requires patience and a clear path in the stretch. From the far outside post (No. 9), Jose Ortiz will likely angle him toward the back early to avoid traffic and then unleash that final kick. The risk: pace handicappers note that typical Belmont winners run closer to the lead, not from deep in the pack. Seven of the last ten Belmont winners were within 4 1/2 lengths of the lead after the half-mile. If the early pace is slow, closers like Golden Tempo could find themselves too far back to make up ground.

Key Angles for Handicappers

• Trainer prestige: DeVaux's decision to skip the Preakness is the same strategy many Hall of Fame trainers use when they believe they have a serious Belmont horse. No residual fatigue from an intervening Grade 1.
• Jockey continuity: Jose Ortiz has ridden Golden Tempo in every start. That bond and knowledge of the horse's tendencies is a real asset.
• Phipps legacy: The Phipps family name is synonymous with American racing royalty. Their horses are consistently well-managed and pointed carefully at big races.

Concerns & Red Flags

Before the Derby, Golden Tempo had not won in his two most recent starts, finishing third in both the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby. Horses who entered the Derby off back-to-back third-place finishes have a mixed record in the roses — he needed to prove he was a horse who saved his best for the biggest moment, and he did. Still, his pre-Derby form compared to a rival like Commandment (4-for-5 before the Derby) was modest. At the Belmont, the deep-closing running style is a stylistic concern when pace scenarios favor stalkers at this distance. The outside post is also a drawback at Saratoga, where early positioning can be crucial.

Bottom Line

The reigning Kentucky Derby champion, fresh and healthy after skipping the Preakness, with the best distance pedigree in the field and an excellent historic Derby performance. His 9-2 morning line looks like a potential overlay given the freshness factor. The main risk is pace bias — Saratoga's Belmont distance has historically rewarded horses who stalk the pace rather than close from deep.

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Post Time for the Belmont Stakes

What is post time for the Belmont stakes?

The Belmont Stakes is set to take place at 7:04 PM ET at the historic Saratoga Racecourse in New York. With the Just A Game Stakes kicking off the stakes race day at 2:47 PM. Check out the full stakes race schedule below. 

Post Time for the Belmont Stakes

*All times are in Eastern Standard Time

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Payouts and Results of Belmont 2026

Who will win the Belmont Stakes?

Results of Belmont 2026: TBD

Payouts for the 2026 Belmont Stakes: TBD

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Promotional Bonus Offers

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Belmont Stakes 2026 Q&A

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Where is Belmont Stakes 2026?

The Belmont Stakes 2026 is being held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. This marks a historic year for the Belmont as the final year the event will be held in Saratoga. The newly renovated Belmont Park is scheduled to reopen for live racing later this year reclaiming the Belmont Park as the home of the last leg of the Triple Crown once again in 2027. 

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What time is the Belmont Stakes?

Many of you may be wondering, when is the Belmont Stakes? The Belmont Stakes is set to take place at 7:04 PM ET at Saratoga Racecourse in New York. Be sure to tune-in for the last leg of the Triple Crown!

2026 Kentucky Derby, 2026 Preakness, and Belmont Stakes 2025 Recap

Who won the Belmont Stakes 2025?

Sovereignty, ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado and trained by Bill Mott, won the Belmont Stakes 2025 last year at Saratoga. 

Who won the Preakness Stakes 2026?

The winner of the Preakness Stakes 2026 just a few short weeks ago was Napoleon Solo, ridden by Paco Lopez and trained by Chad Summers. 

Who won the Kentucky Derby 2026?

Golden Tempo claimed a historic win of the Kentucky Derby 2026 in early May with rider Jose Ortiz and Cherie DeVaux as the first female trainer to enter the Kentucky Derby winner's circle. 

Past winners of the Belmont Stakes 1967-2026

The last 10 years of Belmont Stakes history has been highlighted by successful and unsuccessful Triple Crown bids, the historic success of a filly, and a parade of longshot winners. Here is a full list of winners beginning in 1867 with Ruthless to the most recent winner from Belmont Stakes 2025, Sovereignty.