The 2026 Triple Crown season has already delivered plenty of excitement, surprise finishes, and shifting storylines. Now, all eyes turn to the Belmont Stakes for the final chapter.

From a historic Kentucky Derby win to a wide-open Preakness and a highly anticipated rematch at Saratoga, here’s a look at how we got here and what to expect in the 2026 Belmont Stakes.

Kentucky Derby 2026: Golden Tempo Makes History

The 152nd Kentucky Derby delivered a memorable finish as Golden Tempo stormed home to capture the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo rallied from off the pace to secure a narrow victory and instantly became one of the biggest stories of the Triple Crown season. The win was historic not only for the colt, but for DeVaux, who became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner. 

Golden Tempo’s Derby performance set up early Triple Crown excitement. But his connections soon announced the colt would skip the Preakness and point directly toward the Belmont Stakes, prioritizing his well-earned recovery. 

Preakness Stakes 2026: Napoleon Solo Seizes the Moment

With Golden Tempo absent, the 151st Preakness Stakes offered a fresh opportunity. And Napoleon Solo took full advantage.

Held at Laurel Park for the first time during ongoing renovations at Pimlico, the Preakness featured a competitive field and a dramatic finish. Napoleon Solo, trained by Chad Summers and ridden by Paco Lopez, surged late to defeat Iron Honor and claim the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Chip Honcho rounded out the top three. 

While there will be no Triple Crown winner in 2026, this year’s races have created something racing fans love: a Belmont showdown between two classic winners. 

Belmont Stakes 2026: Saratoga Hosts the Final Jewel Again

The 158th Belmont Stakes is set for June 6, 2026, at Saratoga Race Course.

This marks the third consecutive year the race will be held at Saratoga while Belmont Park renovations continue. Because of Saratoga’s configuration, the Belmont Stakes will once again be contested at 1¼ miles rather than its traditional 1½-mile distance. 

That shorter distance creates a very different race dynamic and often favors tactical speed and fresh legs, making this year’s field especially intriguing. 

Belmont Stakes 2026 Contenders to Watch

Golden Tempo

The Kentucky Derby winner arrives fresh after bypassing the Preakness. With additional recovery time and momentum from Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo enters the Belmont Stakes as one of the headline contenders. 

Napoleon Solo

Fresh off his Preakness victory, Napoleon Solo brings confidence and proven experience into Saratoga. Momentum matters this time of year, and he has plenty of it.

Renegade

After finishing just behind Golden Tempo in the Kentucky Derby, Renegade returns looking for redemption. Many handicappers view him as a serious threat in this Derby rematch. 

Growth Equity

The Peter Pan Stakes winner enters the Belmont Stakes with fresh form and the profile of a dangerous new shooter. Horses arriving off strong prep races often play spoiler in Saratoga. 

No matter how the gate fills out, the 2026 Belmont Stakes is shaping up to be a competitive finish to this year’s Triple Crown trail.

Shop Horse Care Essentials

Whether you’re heading to a horse show, conditioning for competition, or simply inspired by the excitement of the Triple Crown season, your horse deserves quality care every day, not just on race day.

FarmVet carries the horse health essentials you rely on to help keep equine athletes comfortable, supported, and ready to perform.

Learn About Leg Wrapping

From shipping and recovery to post-work support, proper leg wrapping is an important part of everyday horse care. When applied correctly, wraps can help protect your horse’s legs, support recovery, and keep them comfortable whether they’re headed to a race or resting back at the barn. 

Learn more in our Leg Wrapping 101 guide.