With the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in the rearview mirror, it’s time for the 2026 Belmont Stakes. The final jewel of the triple crown, the Test of the Champion, is typically the longest of the three races at a full 1.5 miles. However, the 2026 Belmont Stakes will run at the historic Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., rather than at Belmont Park, for the third year in a row, as renovations continue at the race's usual home. That means the distance is being reduced from 1.5 miles to 1.25 miles due to the difference in the tracks’ circumferences. Below, we take a look at the current Belmont Stakes odds, post position, and expert advice for Chief Wallabee.
Chief Wallabee Belmont Stakes Predictions
- Post Position: 3
- Odds: 3-1
Chief Wallabee finished a very strong fourth place at the Kentucky Derby the last time he ran. While the result may put him off a lot of bettors’ boards, if you watch his run down the home stretch, it’s a miracle he was part of any payouts. This is a horse that got caught right in the middle of the pack heading for the finish line, and he was bumped so much that at one point the horse’s head was turned almost completely sideways. Yet, Junior Alvarado was able to make it work, and the horse still almost won the race. The smaller field benefits Chief Wallabee, and I don’t mind the length of this race for the horse. The only thing I do mind is that Chief Wallabee hasn’t won since his debut in January. Therefore, I’ll use this horse in exotics, but don’t be surprised if Chief Wallabee runs away with the win.
-Phil Wood
Bet: Exotics
2026 Belmont Stakes Post Positions & Odds
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
| 1 | Vitruvian Man | Doug O’Neil | Antonio Fresu | 30-1 |
| 2 | Power Shift | 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 |
Looking for a deeper dive into the 2026 Belmont Stakes? Don't miss our complete Belmont Stakes Betting Guide, where we break down the field from top to bottom. This guide has everything you need to bet smarter on this year's Test of the Champion. Make sure to read our full preview before placing those bets.
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