It is early 2026. The snow is still on the ground in New York, but horse racing people are already sweating the summer. The big talk? The "Test of the Champion" is heading back to Saratoga Race Course. For the third year in a row, the Belmont Stakes will leave its home on Long Island because of the ongoing construction at Belmont Park. If you’re trying to figure out what horses are running in the Belmont Stakes, you have to look at the three-year-olds currently grinding through the winter preps.
This isn’t the 1.5-mile marathon we grew up with. Because Saratoga’s track is shaped differently, the race stays at 1 1/4 miles. That change matters. It changes the type of horse that can win.
The Big Names: Who’s on the Early List?
Horse racing is a "what have you done for me lately" sport. Right now, the leader of the clubhouse is Sovereignty. He was the king of the two-year-old division in 2025. Honestly, he’s the horse everyone is trying to beat. Trained by Bill Mott, this colt has that grinding style that wins at Saratoga. He’s already the 2/1 favorite in some early markets.
Then you have Journalism. He’s the rival. They’ve been trading punches since last year. He’s got tactical speed—the kind that lets a jockey sit just off the lead and pounce. In a 10-furlong race, that’s gold.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
But don't ignore the late bloomers. Every year, a horse like Barnes or Citizen Bull comes out of nowhere in February or March. Barnes is currently a buzz horse because of his pedigree, and if he stays sound, he’ll be a heavy favorite by the time June 6th rolls around.
The Dark Horses and Longshots to Watch
If you want to find value, you look at the grinders. Rodriguez is a name popping up in the 6/1 range. He’s shown he can handle distance. On the other hand, horses like Uncaged and Heart of Honor are sitting at 30/1. Are they longshots for a reason? Yeah, probably. But in the Belmont, weird things happen.
- Baeza: A 4/1 shot that has been working lights out at Fair Grounds.
- Hill Road: A 10/1 option for people who think the favorites will burn each other out early.
- Crudo: 15/1. He’s the "pedigree play"—bred for every inch of a classic distance.
Why the Saratoga Factor Changes Everything
Let's be real. Running the Belmont at Saratoga is basically like running a second Kentucky Derby. At Belmont Park, the turns are huge. At Saratoga, they are tighter. A horse that needs five miles to warm up might get left behind when the real running starts at the top of the stretch.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Trainer Brad Cox is always dangerous here. He’s got a trio of contenders—Thunder Buck, White Tiger, and Quality Mischief—who are all currently fighting for points in the Lecomte and other winter stakes. One of them will likely be in the starting gate come June.
How to Track the Final Field
The "official" list of what horses are running in the Belmont Stakes won't be set in stone until the Tuesday before the race. That’s when the draw happens. However, you can see the field taking shape by watching the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" standings.
Generally, the top four or five horses from the Derby will show up. Then you get the "new shooters"—horses that skipped the Preakness to wait for the Belmont. This year, expect a field of about 10 to 12.
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
If you're betting, keep an eye on Sovereignty. If he’s healthy, the race goes through him. If not? It’s wide open. The 2026 edition is shaping up to be a tactical nightmare for jockeys, which makes it a dream for fans.
The best way to stay ahead is to watch the speed figures coming out of the Florida Derby and the Wood Memorial. Those races usually produce the "fresh" horses that challenge the Derby winner.
Keep an eye on the injury reports. In this game, a "minor foot bruise" in April means a horse is out of the Triple Crown by May. Follow the morning workouts at Saratoga starting in late May to see who actually likes the "Graveyard of Champions" surface.
Next Steps for Horse Racing Fans:
- Check the updated Kentucky Derby leaderboard every Monday to see which three-year-olds are accumulating enough points to qualify for the Triple Crown series.
- Watch the replay of the Lecomte Stakes to see if Thunder Buck or Quality Mischief showed the stamina needed for a 1 1/4-mile test.
- Mark June 6, 2026, on your calendar; post time is usually around 6:41 PM ET.