2026 Belmont Stakes predictions, odds, field and expert picks released
8 reported
The 2026 Belmont Stakes will take place Saturday at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., with Renegade listed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. The race follows the Kentucky Derby, where Golden Tempo rallied from last place to win, making trainer Cherie DeVaux the first woman to win the Derby. The $2 million race has a post time of 7:04 p.m. ET and features nine horses. SportsLine horse racing expert Gene Menez has released his picks for the race, including a prediction to fade Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo at 9-2 odds. Menez, a former Sports Illustrated reporter and handicapper, has a track record of successful picks, including hitting the Kentucky Derby superfecta in 2015 and a $1,045 payout at last year’s Derby.
What’s reported
Renegade is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the 2026 Belmont Stakes.
Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby, making trainer Cherie DeVaux the first woman to win the Derby.
The race is at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Saturday.
Post time is 7:04 p.m. ET for the $2 million race.
Nine horses are in the field; top five odds: Renegade (2-1), Chief Wallabee (3-1), Golden Tempo (9-2), Commandment (6-1), Emerging Market (6-1).
Gene Menez, a former Sports Illustrated reporter and handicapper, is providing picks for SportsLine.
Menez is fading Golden Tempo, citing an unlikely sweet pace setup that helped him win the Derby.
Menez’s top pick is a horse he says “should sit a perfect trip,” and he also likes a double-digit longshot.
Key figures
Renegade (horse, morning-line favorite)
Golden Tempo (horse, Kentucky Derby winner)
Cherie DeVaux (trainer of Golden Tempo)
Gene Menez (SportsLine horse racing expert)
Chief Wallabee, Commandment, Emerging Market (other horses in the field)
Sources: CBS Sports
