SouthernWorldwide.com – The 158th Belmont Stakes, the ultimate challenge in horse racing’s prestigious Triple Crown, is set to take place on Saturday.
However, this year’s event, much like the preceding Preakness Stakes, will not be held at its traditional home. The race, famously dubbed “The Test of the Champion,” is being conducted at Saratoga Race Course for the third consecutive year. This relocation is due to the extensive renovations that commenced at Belmont Park in 2024.
The change in venue also necessitates a modification in the race’s length. Instead of the customary 1 1/2 miles, the Belmont Stakes will be run over a slightly shorter distance of 1 1/4 miles.
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A notable contender returning to the Belmont Stakes is Golden Tempo, the triumphant winner of the Kentucky Derby. Golden Tempo had opted out of participating in the Preakness Stakes.
Conversely, Napoleon Solo, the victor of the Preakness Stakes, will not be competing in the Belmont Stakes. Importantly, none of the horses that competed in the Preakness Stakes will be present at the Belmont, meaning that no single horse will have vied for all three jewels of the Triple Crown this year.
A field of nine horses will contend for the substantial $2 million purse.
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Renegade, who secured the second position in the Kentucky Derby and is under the training of Todd Pletcher, currently holds the most favorable odds at 2-1.
Emerging Market, trained by Chad Brown, and Commandment, trained by Brad Cox, are both listed at 5-1.
Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner trained by Cherie DeVaux, is priced at 9-2. Chief Wallabee, trained by Bill Mott, is at 6-1.
Golden Tempo enters the Belmont Stakes after a five-week respite following its victory in the “Run for the Roses.” This marks the second consecutive year that the Kentucky Derby champion has bypassed the Preakness Stakes to compete in the Belmont, a strategy previously employed by Sovereignty last year, who went on to win the Belmont Stakes.
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Golden Tempo arrived at Saratoga last weekend. Should Golden Tempo replicate Sovereignty’s success, DeVaux would achieve a significant milestone, becoming the first female trainer to win multiple legs of the Triple Crown within the same year.
Jena Antonucci made history in 2023 by becoming the first female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes, thereby becoming the first woman to win any leg of the Triple Crown.
A total of five horses that participated in the Kentucky Derby will also compete in the Belmont Stakes: Golden Tempo (the winner), Chief Wallabee (who finished fourth), Renegade (second), Commandment (seventh), and Emerging Market (tenth).
The weather forecast for Saturday afternoon in Saratoga indicates a possibility of rain.
