2026 Belmont Stakes prediection, preview, picks: Which horses to use in exactas, trifectas?

The 2026 Belmont Stakes is headlined by two horses: No.9 Golden Tempo (9-2), the Kentucky Derby winner, and No.

4 Renegade (2-1), the morning-line favorite.Neither one of them seems all that appealing from a betting standpoint.For Renegade, it’s all about the price.Although Mike Repole’s contender came out of the Kentucky Derby with a bolstered reputation thanks to an impressive runner-up finish despite an awful trip, he is a 2-1 favorite in an elite field of horses and could get even shorter as the money shows up throughout the day.A deserving favorite, for sure, but not one that will add much value to your tickets.Golden Tempo’s price is also uninspiring after he went off at 23-1 at the Derby.Obviously, that number will come down after a win, but this deep closer got the perfect setup at Churchill Downs with a hot pace and tons of traffic, which led to a lot of tiring horses.Full credit to him and his connections, but it’s hard to see a similar script unfolding in this field.Instead, we’ll focus on a trio of horses that should provide more value to your exotics at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

Top choice: No.8 Emerging Market (6-1)There is a lot more than meets the eye for the 10th-place finisher at the Kentucky Derby.

Emerging Market came into Churchill Downs as a trendy pick at 8-1, but lost a shoe and fell out of contention.But the fact that he had so much support in just the third race of his career tells you that bettors believed in his ceiling, which makes sense after he won his first two starts, including an impressive victory in the Louisiana Derby.The connections are great with trainer Chad Brown and jockey Flavien Prat, and the price should be strong since most folks will not be too keen on backing a horse that finished well behind Golden Tempo, Renegade, Chief Wallabee and Commandment in the biggest race of the year.Use underneath: No.3 Chief Wallabee (3-1), No.

6 Growth Equity (12-1)Like Renegade, Chief Wallabee had quite a rocky trip a...