2026 Belmont Stakes horses, odds, date - CBS Sports
Jody Demling, who has called four of the last eight Belmont winners, reveals his 2026 Belmont Stakes picks and horse racing predictions
www.cbssports.comHere’s the latest overview of the 2026 Belmont Stakes as of late May 2026.
Key takeaways
- Date and venue: The Belmont Stakes is scheduled for June 6, 2026, and will be run at Saratoga Race Course due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park. This marks the third consecutive year the race is staged at Saratoga while Belmont Park undergoes construction.[1][2]
- Format: The race remains the 1.25 miles distance for 2026 because of the Saratoga track configuration, consistent with recent Belmont formats during the Saratoga stand.[2]
- Field progress: Leading contenders and early entrants have been publicly discussed, with several notable horses in consideration and some withdrawals already announced. Reports in May 2026 highlighted top prospects like Golden Tempo and Renegade among early contenders, with others such as Growth Equity and Talk to Me Jimmy noted in various previews.[3][5]
- Scheduling context: The spring/summer Stakes schedule for Belmont at the Big A was adjusted due to construction, with the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival returning to Saratoga in 2026 for a third and final year, and the reimagined Belmont Park slated to reopen later in 2026. The festival date is set for early June, aligning with the Belmont Stakes.[2][3]
- Coverage and forecasts: Multiple outlets provided ongoing updates on contenders, workouts, and odds as the race approached, including industry outlets and racing-focused sites. Expect continued coverage through the final field announcement and post-position draw.[4][10]
What to watch next
- Final field and injuries: Any late withdrawals or injuries can reshape the competitive landscape; monitor official NYRA updates and reputable racing outlets for the final field and post position draw.
- Odds and betting markets: As the field firms up, odds will shift with workout reports and insider assessments. Major outlets typically publish updated morning lines and post-ride odds around race week.
- Track conditions: Saratoga in early June can bring firm or yielding main track conditions; weather will influence race day strategy and equipment choices.
If you’d like, I can pull the latest official field, post positions, and current odds from reliable sources and summarize them in a concise table, or create a quick chart showing the top contenders’ key metrics (speed figures, workouts, and recent form). I can also provide short betting theses for the top horses based on the latest reports.