The third and final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is one of the most storied sporting events in American history. It’s made a landmark of Belmont Park and legends of the horses and riders that have raced the track.
The Belmont returns Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Saratoga Race Course, where it has been run since renovations at Belmont Park began. Returning from a five-week absence is Golden Tempo, this year’s Kentucky Derby winner, who sat out the Preakness Stakes but is going for the second jewel in this year’s Triple Crown. Plus, the stakes have been raised further this year: The race distance has been cut by a quarter mile.
DIRECTV is the spot to catch all of the action of on Fox Sports, FS1 and FS2.
When is the 2026 Belmont Stakes?
The Belmont Stakes will be held Saturday June 6 with post time at 7:04 p.m. ET at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Where is the Belmont Stakes held?
Like Preakness, the Belmont Stakes is also taking place at a different venue than has historically been the case. Saratoga Race Course will once again host the race as reconstruction at Belmont Park continues.
How to Watch the 2026 Belmont Stakes Live
If you can’t make it out to the stakes race at Saratoga on race day to catch the Belmont Stakes in person, you can watch all of the action on FOX with DIRECTV:
- FOX (Check local channel listings)
- FS1 (DIRECTV Channel 219)
- FS2 (DIRECTV Channel 618)
Belmont Stakes Weekend TV Schedule
The racing weekend has a full lineup of races in Saratoga Springs. Here is when and where to catch them all:
| Date | Featured Event | Races | Time & Channel (ET) |
| June 3 | New York Showcase Day | 6 NY-bred stakes; Beverly D. Steinman (Grade 1) Steeplechase | 12:30-6 p.m. on FS2 |
| June 4 | Belmont Gold Cup (G2); Intercontinental (G2); Pennine Ridge (G3); Jersey Girl | 12:30-6:30 p.m. on FS2 | |
| June 5 | New York (G1); DK Horse Acorn (G1); Ogden Phipps (G1) pres. by Ford; Bed o’ Roses (G2) pres. by Boldyn Networks; Wonder Again (G2) pres. by Shift4 | 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on FS2; 5-6 p.m. on Fox; 6-8 p.m. on FS1 | |
| June 6 | Belmont Stakes Day | Belmont Stakes (7:04 p.m. ET); Resorts World Casino Manhattan (G1); Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) | 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on FS2; 3-4 p.m. on Fox; 4-7:30 p.m. on Fox/FS1; 7:30-8:15 p.m. on FS2 |
| June 7 | Poker (G3); Soaring Softly (G3) | 12:30-1 p.m. on FS2; 1-5:30 p.m. on FS1; 5:30-6 p.m. on FS2 |
Who is Competing in the Belmont Stakes?
Here are the horses who will run in the Belmont Stakes this year:
- Renegade, 2-1
- Golden Tempo, 3-1
- Chief Wallabee, 9-2
- Commandment, 6-1
- Emerging Market, 8-1
- Powershift, 12-1
- Growth Equity, 15-1
- Ocelli, 20-1
- Ottinho, 20-1
- Vitruvian Man, 30-1
Who is the Favorite to Win the Belmont Stakes?
Renegade and Golden Tempo open as the odds-on favorite to win the Belmont Stakes. If Golden Tempo pulls off the win, it would be their second jewel in this year’s triple crown.
Previous Belmont Stakes Winners
Listed below are the previous winners of the Belmont Stakes, going back 30 years to 1994:
| Year | Winner |
| 2025 | Sovereignty |
| 2024 | Dornoch |
| 2023 | Arcangelo |
| 2022 | Mo Donegal |
| 2021 | Essential Quality |
| 2020 | Tiz the Law |
| 2019 | Sir Winston |
| 2018 | Justify |
| 2017 | Tapwrit |
| 2016 | Creator |
| 2015 | American Pharoah |
| 2014 | Tonalist |
| 2013 | Palace Malice |
| 2012 | Union Rags |
| 2011 | Ruler on Ice |
| 2010 | Drosselmeyer |
| 2009 | Summer Bird |
| 2008 | Da’Tara |
| 2007 | Rags to Riches |
| 2006 | Jazil |
| 2005 | Afleet Alex |
| 2004 | Birdstone |
| 2003 | Empire Maker |
| 2002 | Sarava |
| 2001 | Point Given |
| 2000 | Commendable |
| 1999 | Lemon Drop Kid |
| 1998 | Victory Gallop |
| 1997 | Touch Gold |
| 1996 | Editor’s Note |
| 1995 | Thunder Gulch |
| 1994 | Tabasco Cat |
Belmont Stakes Watch Party Ideas
Having friends and family over to root for the longshot team? Let’s make it a party.
Carnations: One of the traditions at the Belmont Stakes is when the winner of the race is draped in a blanket of white carnations. Your local florist can help you turn your living room into Belmont Park.
Dress code: Horse races and big hats are the equine peanut butter and jelly. Suit up to the nines and put the dress in dressage.
Betting games: Perhaps the most time-honored tradition of horse racing is betting. Sometimes you don’t need to now the name, you just want the longshot.
Set up a betting sheet with the names of the participating horses and their odds, and have your guests place their bets.
Signature cocktail: The official drink of the Belmont Stakes is the Belmont Jewel Cocktail. If you want to serve this iconic drink up for your guests, here’s the recipe:
- 1½ ounces bourbon whiskey
- 2 ounces lemonade
- 1 ounce pomegranate juice
- lemon wedge or cherry (garnish)
It also never hurts to have the ingredients for the other Triple Crown races on hand: the Mint Julep for the Kentucky Derby and the Black-Eyed Susan for the Preakness Stakes.
Watch Horse Racing on DIRECTV
As we prepare for the final jewel of the Triple Crown, now’s the time to make sure you have a way to watch the race live. With DIRECTV, you can watch the Belmont Stakes live from the comfort of your home.
Watch the Belmont Stakes and so many of the top sporting events of the year on Fox.
Not a DIRECTV customer? Let’s change that.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three races in the Triple Crown?
Who won the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Who won the 2026 Preakness Stakes?
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