The 158th Belmont Stakes is set to take place at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York, marking the final year before the event returns to its traditional home at Belmont Park. Renegade, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, is the favorite with odds of 8-5, having opened at 2-1. This horse, a runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, is expected to face stiff competition from a strong field.

Strong Contenders

Among the contenders is Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner, who has made history by making Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Derby winner. DeVaux, a native of Saratoga Springs, is aiming to become the second woman to train a Belmont winner, following Jena Antonucci’s victory with Archangelo in 2023. Other notable horses in the race include Chief Wallabee, Commandment, and Emerging Market, each with odds of 5-1.

The field also features long shots such as Powershift, another Pletcher-trained horse at 12-1, Growth Equity at 13-1, Ottinho at 19-1, and Vitruvian Man at 20-1. The Belmont Stakes, the third leg of horse racing’s prestigious Triple Crown, promises to be an exciting event with a diverse lineup of competitors.

Return to Tradition

The Belmont Stakes’ temporary relocation to Saratoga Race Course has been a unique chapter in its history, but fans and participants alike are looking forward to its return to the newly rebuilt Belmont Park next year. This year’s race not only highlights the talents of the horses and their trainers but also underscores the rich tradition and evolving history of one of horse racing’s most celebrated events.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.