The 2026 Belmont Stakes is set, and the odds point to a familiar face from the Kentucky Derby. Renegade is the 2-1 morning-line favorite, and he heads a compact field of nine for the final leg of the Triple Crown. If you are searching for Belmont Stakes odds, expert picks, and the full post positions, here is everything in one place.
This year’s race runs Saturday, June 6, with a post time of 7:04 p.m. ET. There is one twist worth knowing up front. The race is being held at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York, not at Belmont Park, which remains under renovation. Because Saratoga’s main track is smaller, the distance is set at 1 1/4 miles rather than the traditional 1 1/2 miles.
There is no Triple Crown on the line this year. No horse won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, so 2026 marks the eighth straight year without a Triple Crown bid. What you do get instead is a rematch between the top two finishers from the Derby.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and morning line 4-1 favorite Renegade with exercise rider Nora McCormack works at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Renegade was raced five times, winning twice with multiple finishes with around $1 million in earnings. The trainer is Todd Pletcher. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. is slated to ride. April 27, 2028.Belmont Stakes 2026 Odds and Favorite
Renegade opened as the 2-1 favorite after the post draw. That is no surprise. He ran second in the Kentucky Derby after overcoming a tough trip, and he draws a clean middle post here with Irad Ortiz Jr. back in the saddle.
Chief Wallabee is the second choice at 3-1. Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner, sits right behind at 9-2 from the far outside post. After that, the prices climb quickly into longshot territory.
The short version is that the market sees this as a three-horse race at the top, with Renegade slightly preferred over the colt who beat him at Churchill Downs.
Full Post Positions and Morning-Line Odds
Here is the complete 2026 Belmont Stakes field, in post-position order, with jockey, trainer, and morning-line odds.
Post 1: Vitruvian Man, Antonio Fresu, trainer Doug O’Neill, 30-1 Post 2: Powershift, Luis Saez, trainer Todd Pletcher, 12-1 Post 3: Chief Wallabee, Junior Alvarado, trainer Bill Mott, 3-1 Post 4: Renegade, Irad Ortiz Jr., trainer Todd Pletcher, 2-1 Post 5: Ottinho, Dylan Davis, trainer Chad Brown, 20-1 Post 6: Growth Equity, Manuel Franco, trainer Chad Brown, 12-1 Post 7: Commandment, John Velazquez, trainer Brad Cox, 6-1 Post 8: Emerging Market, Flavien Prat, trainer Chad Brown, 6-1 Post 9: Golden Tempo, Jose Ortiz, trainer Cherie DeVaux, 9-2A few things jump out. Chad Brown saddles three of the nine runners, so he has plenty of ways to win. Todd Pletcher sends out both the favorite Renegade and the longer-priced Powershift. And the Derby winner, Golden Tempo, drew the outside, which can be a tricky spot in a shorter race.
The Derby Rematch
The headline angle is simple. Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby. Renegade finished second. Now they meet again at a new track and a new distance.
Golden Tempo has done nothing but improve. He has not regressed in any of his five career starts, and the addition of blinkers has helped him focus. The one knock is that his winning speed figure in the Derby was modest, which leaves the door open for a horse trending up at the right time.
Renegade is the one most likely to walk through that door. He is similar in running style to Golden Tempo, he gets a better post this time, and he has one of the best jockeys in the country aboard. That is why the market flipped the order and made the runner-up the favorite.
Golden Tempo jockey Jose Ortiz, in red helmet with black silks, came from the outside to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby.. May 2, 2026.Expert Picks for the 2026 Belmont Stakes
Here is how the contenders stack up, based on current analysis of the field.
Golden Tempo, 9-2. The Derby winner keeps getting better with every start, and a horse that never runs a bad race is dangerous at this price. If his steady improvement continues, he can win again.
Renegade, 2-1. The favorite has the trip, the post, and the jockey. The only real concern is value, since a short price gives you less room for error. If his number drifts above 5-2 by post time, he becomes a stronger play.
Growth Equity, 12-1. This is the longshot to watch. He won the Peter Pan Stakes at this track, he does his best running just off the lead, and his speed figures keep improving. If the early pace is slow, he could steal it.
Commandment, 6-1. One for your exotic bets. He dealt with traffic trouble in the Derby and never got a clean run. With Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard, he could bounce back and is worth using underneath in trifectas and superfectas.
Why Saratoga and the Distance Matter
Moving the race to Saratoga changes more than the scenery. The 1 1/4-mile distance is a quarter mile shorter than the classic Belmont. That can help horses with tactical speed and slightly hurt deep closers who count on a long stretch run to reel in the leaders.
A shorter race can also make post position and early positioning more important. Horses drawn outside, like Golden Tempo, have to work a bit harder to find a good spot before the first turn. Horses with a clean middle draw, like Renegade, have an easier time settling into rhythm.
Pace is the other key. If the early leaders go slow, a stalker like Growth Equity gains a big advantage. If they go fast and tire, a closer can come flying late. Reading the likely pace is half the battle in a race like this.
How to Bet the Belmont Stakes
If you are new to horse racing, the basic bets are easy to understand.
Win: your horse has to finish first Place: your horse has to finish first or second Show: your horse has to finish first, second, or thirdMorning-line odds are written as fractions. Renegade at 2-1 means a 2 dollar profit for every 1 dollar you bet if he wins, plus your stake back. Golden Tempo at 9-2 pays 9 dollars for every 2 dollars wagered. The bigger the first number relative to the second, the longer the price.
Once you are comfortable, the exotic bets are where a lot of the fun lives.
Exacta: pick the first two finishers in order Trifecta: pick the first three in order Superfecta: pick the first four in orderExotics are harder to hit, but they pay much more. A small ticket using the favorites on top with a longshot like Growth Equity or Commandment underneath can return a nice price.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Commandment takes the track before most Derby horses for trainer Brad Cox during early morning training in Louisville, Kentucky. April 29, 2026Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the favorite for the 2026 Belmont Stakes?
Renegade is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. He is the Kentucky Derby runner-up and drew post 4 with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding.
When and where is the 2026 Belmont Stakes?
The race runs Saturday, June 6, at 7:04 p.m. ET. It is being held at Saratoga Race Course because Belmont Park is under renovation, and the distance is 1 1/4 miles.
How many horses are in the 2026 Belmont Stakes?
There are nine horses in the field.
Is there a Triple Crown on the line in 2026?
No. No horse swept the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, so there is no Triple Crown bid. It is the eighth year in a row without one.
Who are the best longshots in the 2026 Belmont Stakes?
Growth Equity at 12-1 is the most live longshot, with Commandment at 6-1 a strong option to use in your exotic bets.
Responsible Gambling
The Belmont Stakes is one of the most exciting betting days of the year, but it is still important to keep your wagering under control. Set a budget before the race and treat that money as the price of entertainment, not as an investment you expect to grow.
A good habit is to decide how much you want to spend on the whole card, then divide it across the races you actually want to play. That keeps you from blowing your entire bankroll on one bet and chasing losses afterward.
Use the tools your sportsbook or track app offers. Deposit limits and time limits make it easier to stay within your plan. If the fun starts to fade or betting feels like pressure, take a break.
Bet within your means, keep it enjoyable, and remember that even the experts miss plenty. If gambling ever becomes a problem for you or someone you know, confidential help is available through your state’s problem gambling resources.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Responsible Gaming Resources
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