The Kentucky Derby 1-2 rematch between Golden Tempo and Renegade is set after a field of 9 was drawn today for Saturday’s 158th Belmont Stakes, final jewel in the Triple Crown. Saratoga will be the backdrop for a third straight year as Renegade opens as the 2-1 morning line favorite from post 4. Golden Tempo begins the mile and one-quarter journey from post 9 and looks to follow Sovereignty’s path from a year ago as bookend winners in the Triple Crown series.

Check out the 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide for all your handicapping needs leading up to a huge weekend in upstate New York. Play with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet in our $20,000 Exacta-Thon on Friday and Saturday for your share of bonus cash.

The moderate field size and extended run through the entire stretch the first time makes post positions less important than in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The big question Saturday in terms of positioning will be where the Belmont Stakes early speed comes from and how that might impact the running. Of the 9 runners in the field and their 41 combined races, only once has any of these runners been sent to the early lead – Ottino in a New Year’s Eve maiden race (he’s been far back early in both stakes attempts since). Ottinho breaks from post 5. Powershift, Growth Equity and Chief Wallabee may be best-equipped to attack the front if jockey intent and a cooperative racehorse matches that strategy. With Powershift in post 2 and Chief Wallabee in post 3, their likelihood to show more early tempo perhaps increased with the draw. Growth Equity in post 6 should be able to find a place outside some of the other potential speed if they go for the front. The drop-back style of Golden Tempo is optimal for the widest draw as he’ll let the field flow out in front of him and be able to save ground as Jose Ortiz sees fit. Renegade is no worse for the draw as well and I could see him bet lower than the 2-1 morning line estimate.

Fields for all races Wednesday through Saturday at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival are now set. Saturday’s Met Mile tops the undercard with a clash of 2025 Preakness winner Journalism and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile victor Nysos. Advance wagering on the complete Belmont Stakes Saturday card at Saratoga will be available both Thursday and Friday at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.

Belmont Stakes | Saratoga | Saturday Race 13 | 7:04 pm ET

1-Vitruvian Man (Doug O’Neill / Antonio Fresu) 30-1
2-Powershift (Todd Pletcher / Luis Saez) 12-1
3-Chief Wallabee (Bill Mott / Junior Alvarado) 3-1
4-Renegade (Todd Pletcher / Irad Ortiz Jr.) 2-1
5-Ottinho (Chad Brown / Dylan Davis) 20-1
6-Growth Equity (Chad Brown / Manny Franco) 12-1
7-Commandment (Brad Cox / John Velazquez) 6-1
8-Emerging Market (Chad Brown / Flavien Prat) 6-1
9-Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux / Jose Ortiz) 9-2

Special Wagers

All Dirt Two Day Pick 6 (20-cent minimum, 15% takeout)
- Friday’s Acorn & Phipps to Saturday’s True North, Woody Stephens, Met Mile and Belmont Stakes.

All Turf Two Day Pick 5 (50-cent minimum, 15% takeout)
- Friday’s Wonder Again, New York to Saturday’s Just a Game, Jaipur and Manhattan.

Daily Doubles ($5 minimum, 18.5% takeout)
- Friday’s Acorn to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes
- Friday’s New York Stakes to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes
- Saturday’s Woody Stephens to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes
- Saturday’s Met Mile to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes