The $500,000 Jaipur Stakes (G1) is one of the more prestigious turf sprints and is typically at 6 furlongs, but will run at 5½ furlongs on Saratoga’s turf course Saturday due to Belmont Park renovations.
Additionally, it offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Keeneland in October.
First run in 1984 and originally a Grade 3, it honors the 1962 Belmont Stakes winner and 3-year-old champion Jaipur, also notable for his dramatic Travers Stakes (G1) win that year.
Among past winners are repeaters Disco Partner (2017-18), Casa Creed (2021-22), and Ecclesiastic (non-consecutive). Ag Bullet won the 2025 edition at Saratoga against males and returns looking to become the first female to repeat.
Recent standouts feature Cogburn, who set the course record in 2024, and Caravel, the BC Turf Sprint winner in 2023.
The Jaipur is one of six Grade 1 stakes on Belmont Stakes Day, the highlight of the 14-race card, the $2 million Belmont featuring a rematch between Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Golden Tempo and runner-up Renegade.
| 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
The Jaipur post time is 4:19 p.m. ET (race 9). The Belmont is race 13 with a post time of 7:04 p.m.
As defending champion, Ag Bullet (3-1) heads the field and is the lone Grade 1 winner. The 6-year-old Twirling Candy mare is a model of consistency [17-8-1-3 lifetime] with wins from 5½ furlongs to a mile. She stalked and pounced in last year’s Jaipur for a two-length score over My Boy Prince, and after a win in the Ladies Turf Stakes (G2) at Kentucky Downs, finished second in the BC Turf Sprint and third in the Matriarch Stakes to end the year.
She is versatile on or off the pace; she excels when fresh—this is her 2026 debut—and has no trouble shipping. The Richard Baltas trainee will be ridden by John Velazquez.
Litigation (7-2) is a specialist at the 5 to 5 ½-furlong distance. The 4-year-old Twirling Candy colt opened 2026 with back-to-back wins at Gulfstream, including a strong 102 Beyer stakes score, and was a close third in the recent Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) in a tight finish.
He’s speedy and consistent in sprints, which makes him a major threat from a good post. Florent Geroux rides for trainer Brian Lynch.
Reef Runner (4-1) brings top-class form for trainer David Fawkes. The 5-year-old The Big Beast gelding won the Eddie D Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita and was competitive to finish fourth in the BC Turf Sprint last year before strong efforts to win the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia and finish fourth in Dubai’s Al Quoz Turf Sprint (G1) earlier this year. He has a strong finishing kick, versatility to handle the distance, and should relish the cutback. Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the saddle is a big plus.
The Mark Casse-trained My Boy Prince (5-1) is a versatile 5-year-old gelding and was Canada’s 2023 champion 2-year-old. This year he won the Shakertown Stakes (G2) at Keeneland at 5 ½ furlongs and then ran a close fourth in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint last out. He was second to Ag Bullet in last year’s Jaipur and likes the distance, though the outside post and slight preference for more ground could be a factor. He’s a grinder with a big heart who always tries. Jose Ortiz will be in the saddle.
Works for Me (6-1) is a dual stakes-winning New York-bred son of Daddy Long Legs with good recent turf sprint form coming off a nice win in a rich Keeneland allowance race at this distance. The consistent performer should be in the mix early under jockey Flavien Prat, the main question being the jump in class.
John the Beer Man (10-1) is in sharp form for trainer Rob Atras off a long layoff, winning back-to-back allowance turf sprints this spring after a two-year hiatus, but owns figures competitive at this level. He’s an interesting mid-pack or closer type looking to step up. Kendrick Carmouche will be at the helm.
Twenty Six Black (12-1) is a dual graded stakes-placed New York-bred and has shown ability, but needs to step forward against this depth from a wide post. Manny Franco rides for trainer Horacio De Paz
Paco Lopez will be aboard Governor Sam (15-1) for trainer George Weaver. The three-time turf sprint stakes winner as a juvenile has experience over the course and at the distance [last summer’s Quick Call Stakes (G3) win]. The son of Improbable is a pace presence but seeks his first win since last summer after a synthetic surface detour this year.
Clock Tower (20-1) is a Grade 3 winner from trainer Wesley Ward’s barn who can add value as a longshot under jockey Dylan Davis.
Bold Journey (30-1) is an experienced 7-year-old New York-bred millionaire with turf stakes placings, but 5½ furlongs may be a bit short for the Bill Mott trainee, and he’s been more effective at longer sprints. Junior Alvarado rides.
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