The 158th Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, marking the conclusion of the Triple Crown. This year, the race will again occur at Saratoga Race Course rather than its usual venue. Belmont Park is undergoing significant renovations, leading to this change.

Due to the venue shift, the race distance is reduced to 1 1/4 miles from the traditional 1 1/2 miles. The event promises a competitive lineup with a $2 million prize on the line.

Key Contenders

Golden Tempo: Fresh off a Kentucky Derby win, this horse skipped the Preakness but aims to secure another victory at the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Cherie DeVaux has faced some criticism for sidestepping the Preakness, but she remains focused on the prize.

Renegade: With the strongest odds at 2-1, this horse finished second in the Kentucky Derby. Renegade is trained by Todd Pletcher, contributing to high expectations.

Emerging Market and Commandment: Both have 5-1 odds. They are trained by Chad Brown and Brad Cox, respectively, and pose formidable challenges to their rivals.

Chief Wallabee: With odds of 6-1, this horse finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby. Bill Mott’s training expertise is expected to give Chief Wallabee an edge.

The remaining lineup features: Vitruvian Man at 17-1, Powershift at 11-1, Ottinho at 19-1, and Growth Equity also at 11-1.

Racing Highlights

In the past year, Jena Antonucci made headlines as the first female trainer to win a Belmont Stakes, achieving a historic milestone. This year, Cherie DeVaux could join those ranks if Golden Tempo wins.

Golden Tempo arrived in Saratoga a week before the race. The strategy mirrors Sovereignty’s path, who won after the same gap in 2025.

Weather and Viewing Details

The weather forecast indicates a possibility of rain on race day. Audiences can catch the action at 7:04 p.m. ET on networks FOX and FS1. The event is also available for streaming on FOX One.