Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Belmont Stakes

Jun 03, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A strong cast of nine of the top three-year-old horses in training will run 1 1/4 miles over the dirt at Saratoga in the historic 158th Belmont (G1). The third leg of the Triple Crown attracted a handful of sophomores that competed in the Kentucky Derby five weeks ago at Churchill Downs, and each of those runners will be viable options in The Test of the Champion.

Renegade captured the Arkansas Derby (G1) two races back for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, and the outstanding three-year-old just missed when checking in second in the Run for the Roses in his most recent effort. By standout sire Into Mischief, the colt possesses a robust closing kick that he displayed in Louisville on May 2, and he is surely among the best horses in his crop. The morning-line favorite will be unhurried in the early stages of the race before putting in his customary closing run in the lane with regular pilot Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the saddle.

Beaten a neck by Golden Tempo in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Renegade is favored to gain revenge in Saturday's $2 million Belmont (G1) at Saratoga. 🏆

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Chief Wallabee has just one career victory to his credit, but the son of Constitution has performed very well in every one of his lifetime races to date for conditioner Bill Mott. The three-year-old was last seen finishing a very good fourth in the Kentucky Derby, with a trip that was less than ideal in his first with blinkers on, and the late bloomer will improve off of his first attempt at 1 1/4 miles. The Florida Derby (G1) third-place finisher has reportedly been working well in the mornings leading up to the Belmont, and the Kentucky-bred also has the positional speed not to be left with too much to do turning for home in his first run at Saratoga. He will be ridden by his regular jockey, Junior Alvarado.

Commandment, who captured the Florida Derby for leading trainer Brad Cox, had no apparent excuse for his unplaced finish in the Derby but deserves another chance against this cast. Also a son of Into Mischief, the accomplished horse can be excellent on his best day, and he also has a versatile running style that will come in handy in a field without an abundance of pace signed on. He gets a rider change to John Velazquez, who has two prior Belmont wins.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #4 Renegade on top of #3 Chief Wallabee and #7 Commandment in the 2026 Belmont Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.