Belmont Stakes Runners 2026: Profiles, Odds, Form Guide, Jockeys and Post Positions

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Belmont Stakes Runners 2026: Profiles, Odds, Form Guide, Jockeys and Post Positions

Belmont Stakes Runners 2026: Profiles, Odds, Form Guide, Jockeys and Post Positions — USA TODAY Sports

Andy Newton · Sportsnaut

Sat, Jun 6, 2026 ·

4 min read

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See below the expected Belmont Stakes runners 2026, including their profiles, form and the latest betting odds for Saturday's 'Run for the Carnations'.

Plus the 2026 Belmont Stakes post position draw and jockey bookings for the final NINE runners.

Belmont Stakes Date and Race Details2026

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Venue: Saratoga Racecourse
Race Number: 158th running of the Belmont Stakes
Distance: 1¼ miles (10 furlongs)
Surface: Dirt
Race Type: Grade 1 Thoroughbred race for three-year-olds
Festival Dates: Wednesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 7, 2026
Purse: $2 million

Also see the Eddie Olczyk Belmont Stakes picks , plus his best bets for the Met Mile and Manhattan Stakes.

2026 Belmont Stakes Runners – Horse Profiles, Jockeys and Post Positions

1. VITRUVIAN MAN
Post Position: 1
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Doug O'Neill
Jockey: A. Fresu
Owners: Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing Inc
Recent Runs: 4-5-1-2-3-3
Last Race: 3rd Santa Anita Derby
Belmont Stakes Odds: 30/1

The colt arrives at Saratoga after finishing third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, a performance that brought him into Triple Crown calculations for the first time.

Form Overview

Although he has only one career victory to his name (6 starts), he has gradually improved with racing and appears to be peaking at the right stage of the season.

Trainer Doug O'Neill, a two-time Kentucky Derby winner, has spoken positively about the colt's recent development. Suggesting he has begun to fulfil the promise he showed as a younger horse.

Vitruvian Man has also attracted extra attention through the celebrity-backed Run Fast Racing ownership group, which includes music stars Lil Wayne and Lil Yachty.

The step up into Belmont Stakes company represents a significant class test. But his Santa Anita Derby effort demonstrated he can be competitive against graded stakes opposition.

If he continues progressing, he could prove capable of outrunning his odds as the Doug O'Neill barn look for their first Belmont Stakes winner.

He'll he ridden by Italian jockey Antonio Fresu, who is hunting his first Belmont Stakes success.

2. POWERSHIFT
Post Position: 2
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: L. Saez
Owners: Repole Stable
Recent Runs: 2-6-1
Last Race: 1st Maiden Special Weight
Belmont Stakes Odds: 12/1

Powershift represents the second string of Todd Pletcher's Belmont team, but his profile has been steadily rising throughout the spring.

Including when 6th in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby back in March.

A progressive colt with only a handful of starts, he has shown steady improvement and is expected to take another big step forward in the Belmont Stakes.

Form Overview

Powershift broke his maiden in convincing style at Churchill Downs (watch below) to suggest he handles both pace pressure and distance increase well.

While he lacks the Grade 1 experience of several rivals, his recent training reports from Saratoga have been encouraging, particularly his strong finishing work alongside Renegade.

This will be his toughest assignment to date, but his upward trajectory suggests he is not without a chance of outrunning expectations if the race develops into a strongly run contest.

Luis Saez rides, who won the Belmont Stakes in 2024 (Dornoch) and 2021 (Essential Quality).

Oh, and is another from the Pletcher barn, who have four Belmont Stakes wins to their name.

3. CHIEF WALLABEE
Post Position: 3
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: William I. Mott
Jockey: J. Alvarado
Owners: Michael & Katherine G. Ball
Recent Runs: 1-2-3-4
Last Race: 4th Kentucky Derby
Belmont Stakes Odds: 3/1

Chief Wallabee has been one of the more consistent performers on the Triple Crown trail, finishing in the frame in multiple Grade 1 preps and holding his form well through the spring.

Including a silver in the Fountain Of Youth Stakes and also a bronze in the Florida Derby – both at Gulfstream Park earlier this season.

Form Overview

A strong-closer by nature, Chief Wallabee typically does his best work late and benefits from strong early pace scenarios.

His Kentucky Derby effort saw him stay on well for a solid fourth, underlining his stamina but also highlighting the need for a more efficient trip in elite company.

At Saratoga, where positioning can be crucial, he will need everything to fall right, but his consistency makes him a live contender for minor honours or a place if the leaders go too hard up front.

Chief Wallabee is also from the Bill Mott barn that won the Belmont Stakes last year with Sovereignty.

He's well-fancied in the Belmont Stakes odds at 3/1 and will be ridden by Junior Alvarado , who also rode last year's winner.

Can he become the first jockey since Laffit Pincay Jr (82, 83 & 84) to win the race 'back-to-back' ?

4. RENEGADE
Post Position: 4
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: I. Oritz Jr
Owners: Robert & Lawana L. Low & Repole Stable
Recent Runs: 3-2-2-1-1-2
Last Race: 2nd Kentucky Derby
Belmont Stakes Odds: 2/1

Renegade enters the Belmont Stakes as one of the most established form horses in the field after a standout spring campaign on the Triple Crown trail.

He has consistently competed at Grade 1 level and arrives off a strong effort in the Kentucky Derby. Where he finished a close second behind Golden Tempo after travelling powerfully throughout.

Renegade will be looking to give trainer Todd Pletcher a fifth Belmont Stakes , having last won the race in 2022 with Mo Donegal.

Form Overview

Renegade has built his reputation on tactical versatility and strong finishing speed.

His Arkansas Derby win stamped him as a top-class contender early in the season, and his Derby performance confirmed he belongs firmly at the elite level of his generation.

While he was unable to reel in Golden Tempo at Churchill Downs, the effort underlined his stamina and ability to handle strong pace scenarios.

With the Belmont Stakes now run at Saratoga over 1¼ miles, Renegade's blend of stamina and acceleration makes him a major player.

Pletcher has reportedly kept him fresh since the Derby, bypassing the Preakness in favour of this targeted approach.

Irad Ortiz Jr. takes the rides as he looks to add to his 2022 (Mo Donegal) and 2016 (Creator) wins in the Belmont.

5. OTTINHO
Post Position: 5
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: D. Davis
Owners: Three Chimneys Farm LLC
Recent Runs: 3-1-3-2
Last Race: 2nd Blue Grass Stakes
Belmont Stakes Odds: 25/1

Ottinho may have only one victory on his résumé, but he has quietly put together one of the most consistent records among the Belmont Stakes contenders.

Form Overview

The Chad Brown-trained colt has never finished outside the first three and announced himself as a serious prospect when runner-up in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

A homebred for the powerful Three Chimneys Farm operation, Ottinho possesses a pedigree packed with stamina and class.

His Blue Grass performance suggested he is still learning his craft, staying on strongly through the final furlong despite lacking the experience of several rivals.

The Belmont Stakes could suit him perfectly. And will be ridden by Dylan Davis, who yet to win the Belmont Stakes.

Saratoga's 1¼-mile configuration should allow him to settle into a rhythm before using his grinding late run, and with Chad Brown, who is yet to win this prize, targeting the race with a strong team of runners, Ottinho enters as a horse capable of producing a career-best effort.

6. GROWTH EQUITY
Post Position: 6
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: M .Franco
Owners: Klaravich Stables Inc.
Recent Runs: 2-2-1-1
Last Race: 1st Peter Pan Stakes
Belmont Stakes Odds: 12/1

Growth Equity enters the Belmont Stakes as one of the fastest-improving horses in the field.

After making only one start as a two-year-old, he returned this season looking a far more mature performer and quickly broke his maiden before taking a major step forward in graded company.

Form Overview

His biggest performance came in the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes, traditionally one of the strongest Belmont prep races.

Sent off favourite, Growth Equity travelled comfortably throughout before asserting in the stretch and drawing clear for an authoritative victory.

The manner of that success immediately elevated him into Belmont Stakes contention.

Unlike some of his rivals, Growth Equity arrives at Saratoga relatively fresh and with far fewer miles on the clock. That lack of experience is both a strength and a question mark.

While he still has plenty to prove against Grade 1 opposition, his rapid improvement curve makes him one of the more dangerous dark horses in the field.

Plus, a colt with considerable upside heading into the Triple Crown finale.

Manny Franco, who won the Belmont in 2020 on Tiz The Law, takes the ride.

7. COMMANDMENT
Post Position: 7
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: J. Velazquez
Owners: Wathnan Racing
Recent Runs: 4-1-1-1-1-7
Last Race: 7th Kentucky Derby
Belmont Stakes Odds: 6/1

Commandment comes into the Belmont Stakes as a lightly raced but rapidly improving colt who has taken a big step forward during the spring campaign.

Having last been seen running 7th in the Kentucky Derby.

Form Overview

His standout performance came in the Grade 2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes, where he controlled the pace and showed a sharp turn of foot when challenged.

And then added the Grade 1 Florida Derby in late March.

In the Kentucky Derby, he was unable to replicate that form, fading late after a wide trip against stronger opposition.

However, despite that setback, connections remain confident in his potential, especially over the shorter Belmont distance at Saratoga, which may suit his tactical speed more than the traditional 1½-mile "Big Sandy" test.

Trainer Brad Cox won the Belmont Stakes in 2021 with Essential Quality.

Plus, Commandment will be ridden by veteran John R. Velazquez, who has two Belmont wins to his name (2012, Union Rags and 2007, Rags To Riches).

8. EMERGING MARKET
Post Position: 8
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: F. Prat
Owners: Klaravich Stables Inc.
Recent Runs: 1-1-10
Last Race: 10th Kentucky Derby
Belmont Stakes Odds: 10/1

Emerging Market represents the Chad Brown-trained contingent and has been steadily progressing through graded stakes company this season.

But does need to bounce back from finishing 10th in the Kentucky Derby last time.

Form Overview

A winner of a key Derby prep earlier in the year – when landing the Louisiana Derby. Emerging Market has shown a reliable blend of stamina and tactical awareness.

His Derby run was respectable without being spectacular, as he finished midfield after being unable to sustain his early position.

He tends to be best when able to settle just off the pace. And, therefore, Saratoga's configuration could help him find a more comfortable rhythm.

If he reproduces his best form, he is capable of sneaking into the frame.

The Chad Brown team are still to win the Belmont Stakes, as is jockey Flavien Prat.

9. GOLDEN TEMPO
Post Position: 9
Age: 3-year-old colt
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: J.Ortiz
Owners: Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stable
Recent Runs: 1-1-3-3-1
Last Race: 1st Kentucky Derby
Belmont Stakes Odds: 9/2

Golden Tempo arrives at Saratoga as the horse to beat following a landmark Kentucky Derby victory earlier in the season.

The Derby winner has been campaigned conservatively since that success, skipping the Preakness to focus entirely on the Belmont Stakes.

Form Overview

Golden Tempo's Derby win was built on tactical speed and a powerful late surge, allowing him to edge out Renegade in a thrilling finish at Churchill Downs.

That performance confirmed him as one of the leading three-year-olds in training and a genuine Triple Crown-calibre colt.

His main question mark is adaptability to Saratoga's slightly different configuration and the repeat test against a rematch field.

However, his class, consistency and proven ability to handle big-race pressure make him a deserved favourite heading into the final leg.

Golden Tempo was freshened up by missing the Preakness Stakes too.

And will be looking to become follow Sovereignty last season – who won both the Derby and the Belmont.

Plus give jockey José Ortiz a second Belmont Stakes win, after taking the race in 2017 on Tapwrit.

Note: Belmont Stakes betting odds listed are subject to change

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