Get to know the 2026 Belmont Stakes Contenders

For a third year, the Belmont (G1) will be held at Saratoga as the redevelopment of Belmont Park is completed. And once again, the distance has been reduced from the traditional 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/4 miles, making it a similar test to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

As was the case last year with Sovereignty and Journalism, the first two horses home in the Kentucky Derby – Golden Tempo and Renegade – are returning for a rematch. The major difference from last year is that neither of these horses has run since the Derby; last year, Journalism backed up after the Derby to win the Preakness (G1) prior to finishing second again to Sovereignty, who missed the Preakness to concentrate on the Belmont.

Derby third-place finisher Ocelli did contest the Preakness and is touted as a Belmont possibility, while fourth-place getter Chief Wallabee is expected to run in the Belmont.

The most notable newcomers to the Classic trail could be Peter Pan (G3) winner Growth Equity, Blue Grass runner-up Ottinho, and impressive Churchill Downs maiden winner Powershift, a stable companion of Renegade.

In the build-up to the draw on June 1, here are some of the potential candidates for the 2026 Belmont.