The 9 Horses Competing In The 2026 Belmont Stakes

BusinessSportsMoneyThe 9 Horses Competing In The 2026 Belmont StakesByDanny Brewer,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Danny Brewer has been covering Thoroughbred/horse racing since 2006.Follow AuthorJun 04, 2026, 11:00am EDTLOUISVILLE, 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)Getty ImagesThe 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 158th 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 m...