158th Belmont Stakes Set for Saturday
The 158th Belmont Stakes, the concluding event of the Triple Crown, is scheduled for this Saturday. Interestingly, similar to the Preakness Stakes, it won’t be taking place on the traditional horse racing tracks. Instead, this year marks the third consecutive time the race, often dubbed the “Test of Champions,” will occur at the Saratoga Race Course. This change comes as Belmont Park prepares for major renovations slated to begin in 2024.
Due to the event being held at an alternative venue, the race distance will be shortened to 1 1/4 miles, a departure from the usual 1 1/2 miles that the Belmont Park course offers.
Returning to this year’s race is Golden Tempo, who recently claimed victory at the Kentucky Derby, although he did not participate in the Preakness Stakes. In contrast, Napoleon Solo, the Preakness Stakes winner, will not be seen at the Belmont, as horses competing in the Preakness typically don’t run in the Belmont, leaving no horse eligible for all three Triple Crown races.
A total of nine horses will vie for a prize of $2 million.
Who’s Competing and What Are the Odds?
- Vitruvian Man (Antonio Flesch) 17-1
- Power Shift (Luis Saez) 11-1
- Chief Wallaby (Junior Alvarado) 6-1
- Renegade (Irado Ortiz Jr.) 2-1
- Ottinho (Dylan Davis) 19-1
- Growth Equity (Manuel Franco) 11-1
- Commandments (John Velazquez) 5-1
- Emerging Markets (Flavien Prat) 5-1
- Golden Tempo (Jose Ortiz) 9-2
Golden Tempo and Trainer Under Spotlight
Renegade, who placed second at the Kentucky Derby and is under the guidance of trainer Todd Pletcher, is favored with odds of 2-1. Meanwhile, Emerging Market and Commandment, trained by Chad Brown and Brad Cox respectively, both sit at 5-1. Golden Tempo, with a recent win at the Derby, holds odds of 9-2, while Chief Wallaby boasts a record of six wins and one loss.
What’s the Buzz Before the Race?
Golden Tempo is fresh off a five-week break after his Derby win. This decision to skip the Preakness, much like Sovereignty did last year before going on to win the Belmont, raises interesting discussions among fans and experts alike. Many will remember that Sovereignty was last year’s Belmont champion.
Trainer Shelley Devaux has faced criticism regarding the choice not to participate in the Preakness, urging that “horses are not machines.” If Golden Tempo replicates Sovereignty’s success, Devaux would make history as the first female trainer to win multiple Triple Crown races in a single year.
Adding to the historical context, Jenna Antonucci made headlines in 2023 as the first female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes, signaling a shift in the landscape of horse racing.
This year, five of the horses competing in the Belmont are coming directly from the Kentucky Derby, namely Golden Tempo, Chief Wallaby, Renegade, Commandment, and Emerging Market.
Rain is predicted for Saratoga on Saturday afternoon, which might impact race conditions as observers tune in for the exciting finale of the Triple Crown.
Event Details
- Location: Saratoga Springs, New York
- Date: June 6, 2026
- Estimated post time: 7:04 PM ET
- Broadcast: FOX and FS1
- Prize purse: $2 million
