2026 Belmont Stakes: Golden Tempo Favored, Napoleon Solo Withdraws
The 158th Belmont Stakes, final leg of the Triple Crown, will be held June 6, 2026, at Saratoga Race Course in New York, relocated due to Belmont Park renovations. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is the likely favorite after Preakness winner Napoleon Solo withdrew. Key contenders include Derby runner-up Renegade and Chief Wallabee. The race offers a $2 million purse and is shortened to 1.25 miles due to Saratoga’s track configuration.
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Belmont Stakes 2026 Preview: Renegade Favored, Saratoga Track Analysis and Betting Guide
The 152nd Belmont Stakes, held at Saratoga Race Course for the third consecutive year due to renovations at Belmont Park, features a nine-horse field led by morning-line favorite Renegade (2-1) trained by Todd Pletcher. The article analyzes Saratoga's unique track characteristics, noting that the 281-yard run to the first turn favors front-runners and inside post positions. Historical data shows that over half of mile-and-a-quarter races at Saratoga are won by horses breaking from posts 1-3. Key contenders include Chief Wallabee (3-1), Golden Tempo (9-2), and Commandment (6-1). The analysis suggests that inside posts and stalking styles have an advantage, potentially benefiting Powershift (12-1) over the favorite Renegade, who is a closer breaking from post 4. Post time is approximately 7:06 PM EDT on June 6, 2026, broadcast on Fox and FS1.
Forbes - BusinessThe 9 Horses Competing In The 2026 Belmont Stakes
The 2026 Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, will be held at Saratoga due to Belmont Park renovations, with a shortened distance of 1.25 miles and a $2 million purse. The race features nine three-year-old thoroughbreds, including five Kentucky Derby starters: champion Golden Tempo and runner-up Renegade. Renegade, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., is the 2-1 morning line favorite after a narrow loss in the Derby. Other contenders include Chief (3-1), trained by Bill Mott who won last year's Belmont, and Commandment (12-1), winner of the Peter Pan Stakes. The race is scheduled for June 6 as race 13 with a post time of 7:04 p.m. ET. Trainer Cherie DeVaux could become the second female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes.
Forbes - BusinessRenegade Preparing for Belmont Stakes Rematch After Kentucky Derby Second
Renegade, runner-up in the 2026 Kentucky Derby by a neck to Golden Tempo, is preparing for the 158th Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course. The horse, trained by Todd Pletcher, overcame a difficult start from post 1 in the Derby, where he faced heavy contact but emerged unscathed. Renegade previously won the Arkansas Derby and Sam F. Davis Stakes. The Belmont Stakes, shortened to 1.25 miles due to Saratoga's configuration, offers a $2 million purse. Pletcher, a four-time Belmont winner, notes Renegade's versatility and grit, setting up a highly anticipated rematch with Golden Tempo.
Forbes - BusinessRenegade Prepares for Rematch with Golden Tempo in 2026 Belmont Stakes
Renegade, runner-up in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, is preparing for the 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 6. The horse, trained by Todd Pletcher, overcame a difficult start from post position 1 in the Derby, where he battled through contact and finished a close second to Golden Tempo. Pletcher praised Renegade's grit and versatility, noting the horse can win from any position. The Belmont Stakes, shortened to 1.25 miles due to Saratoga's track configuration, offers a $2 million purse and a rematch between the top two Derby finishers. Pletcher, a four-time Belmont winner, expressed confidence in Renegade's ability to adapt to the distance and track.
Forbes - BusinessRenegade Preparing for Belmont Stakes Rematch After Kentucky Derby Second
Renegade, the runner-up in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, is preparing for the 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 6. The horse, trained by Todd Pletcher, finished a courageous second by a neck to Golden Tempo after a troubled trip from the rail post. Despite early contact and jostling, Renegade showed grit and a strong late kick. Pletcher, a four-time Belmont winner, believes the shortened mile-and-a-quarter distance at Saratoga suits his versatile colt. The race promises a rematch with Derby winner Golden Tempo and a $2 million purse, drawing significant interest from the thoroughbred racing world.
Forbes - BusinessKentucky Derby Winner Golden Tempo Likely for 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga
The 2026 Belmont Stakes, a Grade 1 race with a $2 million purse, is scheduled for June 6 at Saratoga Race Course in New York. The event has been relocated from Belmont Park in Elmont due to ongoing renovations. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Jose Ortiz, is considered a likely participant along with Renegade, the Derby runner-up. The article provides a preliminary list of other contenders being considered for the race, including Chief Wallabee, Commandment, Emerging Market, Growth Equity, Ocelli, and Ottinho. Each potential entrant's profile is detailed, listing their trainer, jockey, sire, career record, and most recent race results. For instance, Chief Wallabee finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby under trainer Bill Mott, while Growth Equity recently won the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes. The official draw for the Belmont Stakes is set to take place on June 1 at 5 p.m. This coverage highlights the anticipation surrounding the third leg of the Triple Crown, focusing on the strong field potentially assembled following the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
yahoo sports2026 Belmont Stakes: Preakness Winner Napoleon Solo Withdraws, Golden Tempo to Run
The 2026 Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, is set to take place on Saturday, June 6, at Saratoga Race Course. In a significant development, Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo has officially withdrawn from the race, preventing a highly anticipated matchup with Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo. This decision means history will not repeat itself from the previous year, where both the Derby and Preakness winners competed. Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, remains a top contender after his dramatic victory in the Kentucky Derby. Other notable horses expected to compete include Renegade, who finished second in the Derby, and Chief Wallabee, trained by Bill Mott. Ocelli is noted as the only Preakness participant expressing interest in running, potentially making him one of the few horses to compete in all three Triple Crown races this year. While official betting odds have not yet been released, the field is shaping up with these key entrants. The article also provides historical context by listing past Belmont Stakes winners and their odds, alongside promotional content for sports betting platforms.
Covers.com: general News and Stories2026 Belmont Stakes Odds: Golden Tempo Favored at Saratoga
The 2026 Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at Saratoga Race Course. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is projected to be the betting favorite, having skipped the Preakness Stakes to train specifically for this race. His victory in the Derby made trainer Cherie DeVaux the first woman to win the event. Key competitors include Renegade, who finished second in the Derby, and Chief Wallabee, trained by Bill Mott, the 2025 Belmont winner's conditioner. While official betting odds are not yet live, the article highlights these top contenders and provides historical context by listing the final odds and post positions of the last twenty Belmont Stakes winners. The piece also references the previous year's thrilling matchup between Sovereignty and Journalism, setting expectations for a competitive field. Additionally, it includes promotional information for sportsbook FanDuel and brief biographical details about the author, Robert M. Criscola, emphasizing responsible betting practices.
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