The page has officially turned on both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, leaving the horse racing world to focus entirely on the upcoming $2 million Belmont Stakes. On June 6, the eyes of the sporting world will lock onto Saratoga Springs, New York, for the final leg of the Triple Crown.
For the third year in a row, Saratoga Race Course steps in as the host venue while the massive renovations at Belmont Park progress toward completion. This venue change brings a major structural shift to the classic, shortening the race from its traditional 1 1/2-mile distance to a tighter 1 1/4 miles. Because Saratoga’s main track is a 1 1/8-mile oval, it simply cannot accommodate the traditional twelve-furlong starting point.
This distance change completely alters how handicappers must calculate their Belmont Stakes Odds when sizing up this year's field. The shorter classic distance opens the door to brilliant middle-distance horses who might otherwise struggle with the grueling twelve furlongs.
The clear headliner of the prospective lineup is the Derby champion, Golden Tempo, whose breathtaking performance on May 2 at Churchill Downs secured a historic milestone. His win made Cherie DeVaux the very first female trainer to capture the Kentucky Derby, a monumental moment for the sport.
Owned in partnership by the powerhouse stables of Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, the brilliant bay son of Curlin bypassed the Preakness Stakes entirely. This strategic decision was made to ensure he arrives in upstate New York fresh, healthy, and ready to secure a second classic victory.
For fans planning their Belmont Stakes betting strategy, Golden Tempo represents a fascinating puzzle. While he possesses undeniable talent and a historic pedigree, his deep-closing style always requires a favorable setup to be effective.
Let’s check the possible contenders for the 2026 Belmont Stakes
| 2026 Belmont Stakes Fair Odds | ||
| Official post positions, contenders and odds will be published following the post-position draw on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. | ||
| PP | Horse / Trainer | Fair Odds |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | RenegadeTBD · T. Pletcher | 9/5 |
| TBD | Golden TempoTBD · C. DeVaux | 9/2 |
| TBD | Chief WallabeeTBD · W. Mott | 5/1 |
| TBD | CommandmentTBD · B. Cox | 5/1 |
| TBD | Emerging MarketTBD · C. Brown | 7/1 |
| TBD | Growth EquityTBD · C. Brown | 14/1 |
| TBD | PotenteTBD · B. Baffert | 16/1 |
| TBD | OcelliTBD · W. Beckman | 20/1 |
| TBD | Chip HonchoTBD · S. Asmussen | 22/1 |
| TBD | OttinhoTBD · C. Brown | 25/1 |
Last Updated on 05/18/2026
Golden Tempo’s victory in the first leg of the Triple Crown will dominate the media coverage leading up to the June 6 classic. Guided by jockey Jose Ortiz, this bay colt proved he belongs at the absolute top of his crop with his late-running heroics.
However, despite his classic victory, some analytical horseplayers remain highly skeptical of his overall speed figures from Churchill Downs. His speed ratings were somewhat underwhelming compared to historical Derby benchmarks, suggesting he may need to step up his game to win at Saratoga.
When looking at the early Belmont Stakes Odds, Golden Tempo will certainly attract heavy public backing. Yet, as a dedicated closer, he will be highly dependent on the front-runners setting an honest pace to set up his late charge.
Despite Golden Tempo wearing the Derby roses, my analytical instinct is that runner-up Renegade will actually close as the post-time favorite on June 6. Trained by elite connections, the Into Mischief colt fell just a neck short of victory after starting from the dreaded post position one.
Prior to his narrow defeat at Churchill Downs, Renegade was on a brilliant trajectory, putting together dominant, back-to-back stakes victories. He captured the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs before securing a brilliant victory in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.
Because both Golden Tempo and Renegade bypassed the Preakness, they will enter this race with identical rest. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch that will dominate Belmont Stakes betting discussions across the country.
Before the Kentucky Derby, Commandment was regarded as one of the most consistent and formidable three-year-olds on the East Coast circuit. He proved his class by defeating Chief Wallabee in two highly competitive prep races in Florida.
First, he took the Fountain of Youth Stakes by a nose, followed by a half-length victory in the Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. However, his Derby hopes were compromised early after a slow start left him 5 1/4 lengths behind Golden Tempo in seventh place.
With a smaller, far less crowded field expected at Saratoga, Commandment represents an incredibly logical bounce-back candidate. Bettors looking to bet on Belmont Stakes contenders with proven class should keep this colt high on their shortlists.
Chief Wallabee ran an incredibly brave fourth in the Kentucky Derby, beaten by only three lengths after enduring a highly troubled stretch run. The talented colt was bumped hard during the drive, which severely compromised his momentum at a crucial moment.
Because he closely matched strides with Commandment in Florida, the betting public treated them similarly in the Derby wagering pools. Chief Wallabee entered the starting gate as the fifth choice in the massive 18-horse field and outperformed his odds.
With a cleaner journey and a smaller field size, Chief Wallabee has all the tools necessary to turn the tables on his rivals. He represents an enticing option for those exploring various Belmont Stakes betting exotic wagers.
Emerging Market entered the Kentucky Derby with an undefeated record in two starts, crowned by a stellar win in the Louisiana Derby. However, his classic debut resulted in a disappointing 10th-place finish under the twin spires.
It is crucial for horseplayers to remember that facing 17 rivals in front of 150,000 screaming fans is an immense mental challenge for a young horse. This was only the third career start for the promising colt, and the overwhelming environment clearly took its toll.
Handicappers who still believe in his raw talent should absolutely give this colt a second chance on June 6. His early-career brilliance suggests he has the quality to outrun his current Belmont Stakes Odds.
Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy showed immense courage in the Kentucky Derby, pressing a very hot early pace from second place. He battled gamely deep into the Churchill Downs stretch before finally fading late to finish ninth.
Saratoga's main track historically favors horses with high cruising speed, which plays directly into So Happy's tactical strengths. His ability to sit just off the lead could give him a massive tactical advantage over the deep closers in this field.
Additionally, he will enter the Belmont with a rock-solid physical foundation, having contested consecutive races at 1 1/16 miles, 1 1/8 miles, and 1 1/4 miles. He is a very live longshot for those who want to bet on Belmont Stakes runners with speed.
Trainer Whit Beckman is strongly considering the Belmont Stakes for Ocelli, who continues to perform admirably against the best of his generation. The Connect colt enters after a fourth-place finish in the Preakness Stakes on May 16, which followed a brilliant third in the Kentucky Derby.
Remarkably, Ocelli is still technically a maiden, meaning he has yet to officially win a race in his career. Despite this, he was beaten by only a single length in the Derby, proving he can compete with any three-year-old in training.
This race would mark his fourth start in a grueling nine-week window, and his sixth consecutive appearance against stakes-caliber competition. Like Golden Tempo, he is a deep closer who needs a swift early pace to finally visit the winner's circle.
Several fresh faces will enter the Triple Crown spotlight for the first time on June 6, led by Peter Pan Stakes winner Growth Equity. He put on a show in the May 9 prep race, defeating Talk to Me Jimmy by a decisive two lengths.
Of all the new shooters targeting this classic, Growth Equity looks like the clear standout of the group. His upward trajectory and affinity for the New York racing circuit make him a dangerous threat to the established Derby alumni.
His presence adds a fascinating layer of complexity to the Belmont Stakes Odds boards. Sharp horseplayers will closely monitor his morning workouts to see how he handles the step up in class.
The remaining new shooters include Withers Stakes winner Talk to Me Jimmy and Blue Grass Stakes runner-up Ottinho. Both will be making their very first appearances in a Triple Crown race, facing a steep rise in competition.
Additionally, Chip Honcho enters the mix after a very game third-place finish in the Preakness Stakes. Meanwhile, San Felipe Stakes winner Potente will try to bounce back and redeem himself after a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.
While these runners add depth, history suggests it would be a surprise if the winner emerged from this particular tier. However, they remain highly relevant for completing the lower rungs of trifecta and superfecta tickets.
As we approach the Belmont Stakes Gate Draw (Monday, June 1st), analyzing the prospective pace scenario is absolutely vital for success. The shorter 1 1/4-mile distance means tactical positioning will be more critical than ever on the historic Saratoga main track.
As the old racing adage goes, "pace makes the race," and that sentiment has never been truer than in this matchup. If front-runners like So Happy face pressure, it will set the stage beautifully for Golden Tempo, Renegade, or Ocelli.
Be sure to finalize your handicapping early and lock in your plays to bet on Belmont Stakes action. This historic renewal at Saratoga promises to be one of the most exciting and profitable betting events of the entire year.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
