The Belmont Stakes, the final race in the 2026 Triple Crown series, will feature a rematch between the top two finishers of the Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo and Renegade. Nine horses will compete in the Belmont, which is being held at Saratoga Race Course in New York due to renovations at Belmont Park. Renegade, who narrowly lost to Golden Tempo in the Derby, is the favorite with 2-1 odds. The race will be 1 1/4 miles long, matching the Derby’s distance. Renegade, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., has had a successful season, winning the Arkansas Derby and the Sam F. Davis Stakes. Ortiz, seeking his third Belmont win, previously won with Mo Donegal and Creator. Pletcher also trains Powershift, another contender in the race. Chief Wallabee, with 3-1 odds, finished fourth in the Derby and is another strong competitor. The Belmont Stakes is a prestigious event, often referred to as the “Test of the Champion.”
QUESTION: How might the outcome of the Belmont Stakes influence the future careers of the horses and their trainers?
Meet the Belmont Stakes horses running in the 2026 race
