The 9 Horses Competing In The 2026 Belmont Stakes

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 02: Golden Tempo #19, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, celebrates with Renegade #1, ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., after they crossed the finish line at the Kentucky Derby. The two square off again in the Belmont Stakes. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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The third and final leg of the Triple Crown races for three-year-old thoroughbreds is set to be contested at Saratoga. This year’s Belmont Stakes will feature a field of nine runners including three of the top four finishers in the Kentucky Derby. They will be covering a mile and a quarter distance over the New York dirt with eyes on their share of a $2 million purse. Normally run at a mile and a half distance, the race is shortened due to the track configuration at the substitute sight of Saratoga as Belmont Park renovations are being completed. This 158^th running of the oldest of the Triple Crown races will feature five horses that ran on the first Saturday in May including Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo and runner-up Renegade. The quality of this group says this “Test of a Champion” is anything but a two-horse race. Can Cherie DeVaux become the second female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes and first to take two races in the series? Will Golden Tempo have enough pace to run at and have another dream trip? Will it be Jose Ortiz, his brother Irad, or some other jockey that wins this coveted race?

These questions and many others will be answered on June 6. The Belmont Stakes is carded as race 13 with an expected post time of 7:04 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the horses that will be running in this historic stallion-making event. The contestants will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey and morning line with a thought on each.

1. Vitruvian Man

Trainer:Doug O’Neill

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Odds: 30-1

The longest shot in the field, this son of Vino Rosso has one win, one second place, and two third place finishes in six lifetime starts. In his only start this year he finished a closing third in the Santa Anita Derby. Trainer has shipped and shocked in the past, but not sure Vitruvian is Man enough here to do any shocking in this one.

2. Powershift

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Luis Saez

Odds: 12-1

Lightly raced and with only three lifetime starts, this son of Constitution is looking for his second career win and first in Stakes company. Recent works have been encouraging enough for his conditioner, a four-time winner of this race, to take a swing. Having a jockey that has won two of the last five runnings of the Belmont is also a plus. Despite that, we look to others for our winner.

3. Chief Wallabee

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Odds: 3-1

Trainer won this race last year with Sovereignty and he looks to have real shot at a repeat. Four lifetime starts has produced a win, a second, and a third with the only off the board finish being a fourth in the Kentucky Derby. Knocks on the door, but has trouble getting in it seems. Don’t think this Chief gets the “W” here but absolutely a superfecta play.

4. Renegade

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Odds: 2-1

Morning line favorite was beaten a head in the Kentucky Derby after a very trying trip that saw him display a lot of toughness. Closed to win the Sam F Davis Stakes and used his big late kick as a runaway winner in the Arkansas Derby. A lack of early speed in this race could mean he sits much closer to the lead before unleashing down the lane. Absolutely the one to beat here and gets the nod from us as the winner.

5. Ottinho

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Dylan Davis

Odds: 20-1

Two starts this year has produced a third in the Withers Stakes and a distant second in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Has not raced since April 4, but trainer is a New York guy that likes to surround Stakes races. This son of Quality Road is one of three for Chad Brown and not the likely winner. We look elsewhere.

6. Growth Equity

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Manny Franco

Odds: 12-1

Won the Peter Pan Stakes in fine fashion in his last start on May 9 and has two wins and two seconds in four career starts. This son of Nyquist has never faced the likes of this company but his conditioner has a history of winning races with one of his “other” horses entered in the race. Not sure he has enough experience to make it happen here, but if he is 12-1 might be worth a look.

7. Commandment

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: John Velazquez

Odds: 6-1

Carried a four-race win streak into the Kentucky Derby before finishing a roughed up seventh. Florida Derby win proved he has some fight in him and he needs that here. Might be the most likely to spoil the party for the top two Derby finishers. If you can get 6-1 on him, he is an across-the-board horse for sure.

8. Emerging Market

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Odds: 6-1

Son of Candy Ride only has three career starts but two were wins including the Louisiana Derby. He finished a well beaten tenth in the Kentucky Derby after being in the early mix. Absolutely warrants consideration here with the jockey-trainer combo and lack of front-end speed in the race. Could he take’em gate to wire?...Put him in your superfecta for sure.

9. Golden Tempo

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Odds: 9-2

Deep closer than ran them all down in the Kentucky Derby and shook up the world. Talented colt for sure with three wins and two thirds in five career starts, but he needs a pace to run at. Nice works indicate he is ready, but can this son of Curlin get his conditioner on more pages in the history books with another huge effort. Favorable post draw and he will be there at the end, but don’t think he gets there in this one.