05/20/2026
Who are you rooting for?
The Road to the Belmont Starts Now
By WinningStride
Every Stride Tells a Story
The Triple Crown trail now turns to Saratoga.
The official Belmont Stakes field is not set yet, but the early list of possible contenders is already giving racing fans plenty to talk about.
I was there for the 2024 Belmont at Saratoga, and right now Saratoga is probably my favorite track. This year also carries another layer of history, as this is scheduled to be the final Belmont Stakes at Saratoga before the race returns to the new Belmont Park in 2027.
According to the Belmont Stakes contenders list from NYRA, several familiar names are being discussed for the final jewel of the Triple Crown:
Golden Tempo
Renegade
Commandment
Chief Wallabee
Emerging Market
Growth Equity
Ottinho
Ocelli
Potente
Chip Honcho
The biggest storyline right now is obvious.
Golden Tempo vs. Renegade.
The Kentucky Derby winner and the Derby runner-up could meet again at Saratoga. Golden Tempo got the roses, but Renegade was right there in the final yards at Churchill Downs. A Belmont rematch would give fans another chapter in that story.
Ocelli is also listed after hitting the board in the Derby and staying active through the Triple Crown trail.
There are also major barns represented, including Cherie DeVaux, Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, Bill Mott, Chad Brown, Bob Baffert, and Steve Asmussen.
Nothing is final yet, but the Belmont picture is starting to take shape.
The roses have been handed out.
The Black-Eyed Susans have been claimed.
Now the road leads to Saratoga.
Who do you want to see in the Belmont Stakes, and from the current names being discussed, who do you like the most?
