For British racing fans used to staying up for the big American occasions, this one is worth the alarm call. The final leg of the Triple Crown (2026 Belmont Stakes) at Saratoga brings together the Kentucky Derby winner and the horse most people expected to win it, setting up a rematch that the sport has been waiting for since the first Saturday in May.
Golden Tempo won the Derby at 23-1, a stunning last-to-first charge from the back of the field that handed trainer Cherie DeVaux a place in history as the first woman to condition a Kentucky Derby winner. Runner-up Renegade, beaten a neck, has arrived at Saratoga as the 2-1 favourite with a point to prove.
Nine horses go to post over a mile and a quarter, with Belmont Park still undergoing renovation meaning the race runs at Saratoga for a third straight year at the shorter distance.
The Field
1. Vitruvian Man: Finished a distant third in the Santa Anita Derby and his form figures are well short of what is needed at this level. For each-way exotic bets only.
2. Powershift: Stablemate to Renegade, likely sent to the front to ensure honest fractions. Only a maiden winner but could play a key tactical role in shaping the race for others.
3. Chief Wallabee: Fourth in the Kentucky Derby after being hampered by traffic in the straight, he had previously finished second and third behind Commandment at Gulfstream. Trainer Bill Mott won this race twelve months ago with Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado retains the ride. Lightly raced and with room to improve.
4. Renegade: The favourite. His prep season form was the strongest in the field and a neck defeat in a chaotic 18-horse Kentucky Derby is no reason to write him off. Post 4 gives him a clean run, Irad Ortiz Jr. can keep him closer to the pace in a smaller field, and Todd Pletcher has won the Belmont four times. Hard to oppose.
5. Ottinho: Skipped the Derby and arrives with speed figures below the main contenders. Needs a significant step forward to get involved.
6. Growth Equity: Still developing, won the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct last month and is clearly heading in the right direction. A moderate early pace would suit his stalking style and he could outrun his odds each-way.
7. Commandment: Won four races in a row, including the Florida Derby, before a troubled Kentucky Derby run where he was bumped in the stretch and finished seventh. That trip was a significant inconvenience for a horse who had been progressive all winter. John Velazquez, one of racing's most decorated riders, takes the mount and a cleaner passage could see him right back among the leaders.
8. Emerging Market: Entered the Derby off just two career starts, a near-unprecedented profile. He ran creditably in the circumstances but finished tenth. His Louisiana Derby win earlier in the spring was visually impressive. Talented but needs a personal best to win this.
9. Golden Tempo: The Derby winner is drawn widest in post 9. Trainer DeVaux bypassed the Preakness to bring him here fresh, which makes sense for a horse who needs a strongly run race to produce his best. The concern for British punters used to studying pace is straightforward: in a nine-horse field, the fast early fractions that set up his Derby win are unlikely to appear. He may find things tougher with less cover and a more measured tempo.
The Pace Factor
For those new to American racing, pace analysis is central to handicapping a race like this. With Powershift likely to lead and few other confirmed front-runners, the early fractions are expected to be relatively modest.
That benefits horses who can sit close to the pace and finish strongly, and works against extreme back-markers who need a fast early gallop to bring their finishing kick into play.
Golden Tempo falls into the latter category. Renegade, Chief Wallabee and Commandment are all more tactically versatile, which is part of the reason the market has positioned them ahead of the defending champion.
Selections
Win: Renegade (2-1). The best form in the prep season, a workable draw, and a near miss in the Derby that flattered the winner more than it reflected any weakness in Renegade. Ortiz will have him better placed from the start.
Main Danger: Chief Wallabee (3-1). A second win for the Mott and Alvarado partnership in consecutive years is not as fanciful as the odds might suggest. Fourth in the Derby with excuses, and still lightly raced enough to be better than his record currently shows.
Each-way: Commandment (6-1). His Florida Derby form was strong and his Derby run was compromised. Velazquez does not take bad rides. At 6-1 there is a case.
Longshot: Growth Equity (12-1). The each-way outsider for those who want a bigger price. Still learning, improving with every start, and suited by a moderate early pace.
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Where to Watch in the UK
The Belmont Stakes goes to post at 7:04pm Eastern Time on Saturday June 6, which means a 12:04am BST start for UK viewers in the early hours of Sunday morning. Sky Sports Racing carries live coverage for subscribers. ITV does not broadcast the race. Many betting apps offer a free live stream once you place a qualifying bet on the race. Check your bookmaker’s terms before wagering.
