Experts’ Belmont Stakes picks
Can Golden Tempo add the Belmont to his Kentucky Derby win?
The Biz
June 6, 2026
The running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes takes place today at 7:04 p.m. at Saratoga. It’ll be — presumably — the final running of the Belmont at the Spa and its final edition run at 1 1/4 miles rather than the traditional distance of 1 1/2 miles.
Can Golden Tempo back up his Kentucky Derby triumph with a win here? Can Renegade turn the tables? Or will another runner jump up to steal the crown?
We asked our experts for their takes, and here’s what they gave us.
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It’s a somewhat wide-open field, with four horses at 5-1 in early wagering. Our experts land on Renegade as their top choice, and the Todd Pletcher trainee is 8-5 as of noontime, down from a 5-2 morning line.
Our crew likes the four 5-1 runners to fill out the next four spots: Commandment, Chief Wallabee, Golden Tempo, and Emerging Market.
Good luck!
BELMONT STAKES SELECTIONS GRID
| Joseph Aiello | Gary Quill | Nick Hahn | Derby Bill Watson | Emily Fewster | Eric Rubin | |
| Win | 4. Renegade | 3. Chief Wallabee | 7. Commandment | 4. Renegade | 4. Renegade | 7. Commandment |
| Place | 7. Commandment | 4. Renegade | 4. Renegade | 9. Golden Tempo | 9. Golden Tempo | 8. Emerging Market |
| Show | 3. Chief Wallabee | 7. Commandment | 9. Golden Tempo | 6. Growth Equity | 3. Chief Wallabee | 3. Chief Wallabee |
CONSENSUS PICKS
| Finish | Horse |
| Win | 4. Renegade |
| Place | 7. Commandment |
| Show | 3. Chief Wallabee |
| 4th | 9. Golden Tempo |
| 5th | 8. Emerging Market |
| 6th | 6. Growth Equity |
OUR HANDICAPPERS ARE:
- Gary Quill, co-host of Better Betting podcast and former The Racing Biz Maryland handicapper
- Derby Bill Watson, legendary former Colonial Downs on-air analylyst
- Emily Fewster is an exercise rider and former jockey who appears frequently on the Maryland Jockey Club on-air feed.
- Nick Hahn is the host of Off to the Races Radio, powered by The Racing Biz.
- John Piassek, Maryland handicapper for The Racing Biz.
- Eric Rubin is co-host of the Better Betting podcast.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
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