| 2026 Belmont Stakes Odds | ||
| Official post positions set following the post-position draw on Monday, June 1, 2026. | ||
| PP | Horse / Trainer | Morning Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vitruvian ManAntonio Fresu · D. O'Neill | 30/1 |
| 2 | PowershiftLuis Saez · T. Pletcher | 12/1 |
| 3 | Chief WallabeeJunior Alvarado · W. Mott | 3/1 |
| 4 | RenegadeIrad Ortiz Jr. · T. Pletcher | 2/1 |
| 5 | OttinhoDylan Davis · C. Brown | 20/1 |
| 6 | Growth EquityManny Franco · C. Brown | 12/1 |
| 7 | CommandmentJohn Velazquez · B. Cox | 6/1 |
| 8 | Emerging MarketFlavien Prat · C. Brown | 6/1 |
| 9 | Golden TempoJose Ortiz · C. DeVaux | 9/2 |
Last Updated on 06/01/2026
After finishing third in a pair of Grade 2 races prior to the Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo wasn’t garnering much attention as Cherie DeVaux prepped the colt for the biggest race of his life.
Which was just fine with the 44-year-old trainer, who, when asked about her charge’s chances in the 1 ¼-mile race at Churchill Downs, said simply she just wanted him to continue to improve and come out of the race safe and healthy.
Belmont Stakes contender Golden Tempo’s last-to-first charge put him a neck ahead of Renegade and proved DeVaux’s instincts were spot on. With another 1 ¼-mile classic coming up on Saturday – the third running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course – DeVaux is seeing the same kind of progress from the son of Curlin.
“He’s doing really well,” she said. “He’s a horse that [really came] into his own going into the Derby, and he’s still on that trend where he’s continuing to improve. He’s really matured, both physically and mentally.”
As he did prior to the Derby, Golden Tempo had two sharp works at Keeneland in preparation for the Belmont, breezing 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 on May 23, the third fastest of
10 at the distance, and a half-mile in 48.20 on May 30, third-fastest of 49.
“He’s been full of himself,” DeVaux said. “He’s always really quiet, just touting himself with some confidence. I’m really pleased with how he’s acting; he seems like he’s taken another step forward.”
Two of the biggest things contributing to Golden Tempo’s Derby win were an outside post (No. 16) and fast early fractions (22.68, 46.44, and 1:10.90) that allowed jockey Jose Ortiz to ride a very, very smart race, keeping the horse out of trouble and perfectly timing his late run. Then again, Jose Ortiz is well-known for riding smart races, particularly at Saratoga, which is why he and his older brother Irad Ortiz, Jr., have won every riding title at the Spa between them since 2015 (save for 2021, when Luis Saez snuck in.)
None of the nine entered here has the need for the lead, and there’s the distinct possibility that a fast enough pace might not materialize, which could compromise not only Golden Tempo but also Derby runner-up and Belmont Stakes contender Renegade. To that end, Renegade’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, has also entered Powershift, a front-running maiden winner at Churchill Downs on Derby Day.
Said DeVaux: I only worry about the things I can control. Nothing else. It is a wasted use of emotion to worry about things like the pace. Jose [Ortiz] has been on him, and it is going to be what it is going to be on race day.”
If the morning line holds up, ignoring the Derby winner at 9-2 would not be a wise move. The No. 9 post is ideal for his running style; as DeVaux said, “The horses will break, and he’ll just find his footing, probably behind the field again, as he has in all of his races.”
Basically, Golden Tempo is an improving horse who wants the distance. He’s also seeking to follow the path of Sovereignty, who won the 2025 Derby, skipped the Preakness, and won the Belmont, en route to earning Horse of the Year honors. Now is the moment to build the perfect exotic that includes Golden Tempo.
Jenny Kellner is an award-winning journalist and teacher who has covered thoroughbred racing for years. As a reporter for both United Press International and The Associated Press, her work has appeared in publications and on websites around the world. Jenny has also written for The New York Times, the New York Post, Newsday and Sports Illustrated.
