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June 6 Belmont at Saratoga, 1¼-mile, Renegade favorite

6/7/2026

38 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The 2026 Belmont Stakes will run on Saturday, June 6, at Saratoga with a 7:04 p.m. ET start.
Because the race is at Saratoga, the distance is reduced to 1¼ miles, making it the first Belmont since 1917 without Preakness starters.
Renegade, the Arkansas Derby winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up, leads betting at 2-1 odds.
Jody Demling and Gene Menez say they will not wager on Golden Tempo, listed at 9-2 odds.

History

Historical Context

The Belmont Stakes, traditionally run 1½ miles at Belmont Park, has been moved several times, most recently to Saratoga in 2024-2026 while the Elmont venue undergoes a $455 million renovation. Those relocations echo earlier disruptions, such as the 1910 anti-betting law that halted New York racing and the 1963-1967 Aqueduct run, showing how venue changes alter distance and entry rules.

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Story summary

The 2026 Belmont Stakes will run on Saturday, June 6, at Saratoga with a 7:04 p.m. ET start.
Because the race is at Saratoga, the distance is reduced to 1¼ miles, making it the first Belmont since 1917 without Preakness starters.
Renegade, the Arkansas Derby winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up, leads betting at 2-1 odds.
Jody Demling and Gene Menez say they will not wager on Golden Tempo, listed at 9-2 odds.

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