Answer the ‘Bel’ A star-studded field of nine sophomores will descend on Saratoga this Saturday, each to chase the final jewel of the Triple Crown: the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1). The 158th running of the prestigious 1 ¼-mile contest is set to be headlined by the tantalizing trio of Renegade, Chief Wallabee, and 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) champion Golden Tempo. Renegade, a multi-millionaire Into Mischief colt trained by Todd Pletcher, finished second to Golden Tempo in the Run for the Roses, but enters the Belmont atop the early betting at 2-1. Chief Wallabee, who finished fourth in the Derby for breeders/owners Michael and Katherine Ball, trails closely at 3-1 on the morning line. Derby victor Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, rounds out the group as the third early-betting choice for breeders/owners Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable. Hold the Throne With one successful title defense already under his belt this season, reigning $1 million Manhattan (G1) champion Deterministic returns to Saratoga this Saturday with the same idea in mind. The accomplished son of Liam’s Map–Giulio’s Jewel kicked off his age five season by capturing his second straight Fort Marcy (G3) on May 5 at Aqueduct. Deterministic now returns to the top level amidst a four-race win streak, which includes the 2025 Manhattan and Fourstardave (G1) sandwiched between the Fort Marcy majors. Trained by Miguel Clement, the seven-time graded stakes winner has earned north of $2 million from 14 starts (8-3-1). At 7-2, Deterministic opens as the third betting choice behind Rhetorical (2-1) and Bright Picture (FR) (3-1). Ding Ding There’s a heavyweight battle brewing between megastars Nysos and Journalism in Saturday’s $1 million Metropolitan (G1) at Saratoga. The tale of the tape begins with Nysos (9-5), who holds the early betting advantage over Journalism (5-2). Trained by Bob Baffert, the 5-year-old son of Nyquist–Zetta Z sports six graded stakes badges and over $4.7 million in purse earnings on his magnificent resume (9: 7-2-0). The brilliant bay last appeared on February 14, finishing runner-up in the Saudi Cup (Gr. 1). Standing opposite him from the outside post is five-time graded stakes victor and purse earner of nearly $4.5 million, Journalism. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the 4-year-old Curlin colt commenced his season with a fourth in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) on April 18. The Met Mile offers an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), which Nysos captured in 2025, on October 31, at Keeneland. On Target Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran’s standout mare Ag Bullet finds herself back at Saratoga this Saturday hoping to repeat as the $500,000 Jaipur (G1T) champion. Triumphant by two lengths in last year’s edition of the 5 ½-furlong turf sprint, the 6-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy–Noble Grey with nearly $3 million to her name has yet to compete this season. Trained by Richard Baltas, Ag Bullet stands at 8-1-3 through 17 starts, most recently landing in third in November’s Matriarch (G1T) at Del Mar. She enters the Jaipur as the narrow 3-1 choice. Also featured on Saratoga’s loaded Belmont Stakes Day is the Woody Stephens (G1), Just a Game (G1T), and True North (G3). Make it Rain Louisiana-bred sophomore Our Moneyman will make his graded stakes debut this Sunday in the $500,000 Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs. The Allied Racing Stable homebred has never finished below third across seven lifetime starts, picking up his flagship triumph in the 2025 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes. Our Moneyman notched a career-best Equibase Speed Figure in his latest outing – a third in a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional claiming tilt on May 2 at Churchill Downs. Up to 3-3-1 under trainer Bret Calhoun, Our Moneyman has banked over $245,000 lifetime. He slots into post four for the 1 1/16-mile Matt Winn. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
