Anticipation builds for the 158th Belmont Stakes, the final prestigious event in horse racing's Triple Crown. While a Triple Crown champion won't emerge this year, following Kentucky Derby victor Golden Tempo's absence from the Preakness Stakes, all eyes will be on Saratoga Race Course this Saturday, June 6th. Fans can expect extensive coverage, with early broadcasts starting at 10:30 a.m. ET on FS12, transitioning to Fox at 3 p.m. ET. For those eager to witness this thrilling spectacle, a detailed viewing guide is available, outlining cable-free streaming options and the latest odds for the contenders.
The 158th Belmont Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Early race-day coverage commences at 10:30 a.m. ET on FS2, with Fox joining the broadcast at 3 p.m. ET. The main event, the race itself, is slated for a 7:04 p.m. ET post time. For viewers without traditional cable, several streaming platforms offer access to Fox and FS1, ensuring no one misses out on the excitement. Options include services like YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo, many of which provide free trial periods.
The Belmont Stakes, often referred to as 'The Test of the Champion,' spans a distance of 1.5 miles. Horses and their jockeys will undoubtedly strive to surpass the legendary Secretariat's course record of 2 minutes and 24 seconds. This year's purse for the Belmont Stakes stands at an impressive $2 million, with the winner claiming a significant portion of this prize. The field includes a lineup of promising thoroughbreds, each with their own jockeys and morning line odds, adding to the competitive nature of the race. Notable entries include Vitruvian Man, Powershift, Chief Wallabee, and Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose Ortiz.
Golden Tempo, the triumphant horse of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, returns to the track for the Belmont Stakes. His victory at Churchill Downs cemented his place as a top contender, but his decision to skip the Preakness Stakes, which was won by Napoleon Solo, dashed any hopes of a Triple Crown title this year. The Triple Crown is an elite achievement in horse racing, awarded to a three-year-old thoroughbred that wins the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Only 13 horses in history have accomplished this feat, with Justify being the most recent winner in 2018.
The upcoming Belmont Stakes promises a thrilling conclusion to this year's Triple Crown series, even without a potential sweep. With Golden Tempo back in action and a competitive field of horses, fans can anticipate a memorable race at Saratoga. Whether watching via traditional television broadcasts on Fox and FS1 or through various streaming services, enthusiasts have ample opportunities to follow every moment of this prestigious event, from the early coverage to the final post time.
