Golden Tempo Powers Belmont Stakes Betting Boom as Handle Tops $116 Million

Golden Tempo added another major victory to an already impressive season Saturday, winning the 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and helping generate one of the biggest betting days in horse race betting this year.

The Kentucky Derby winner rallied strongly down the stretch under jockey Jose Ortiz to capture the final jewel of the Triple Crown, giving trainer Cherie DeVaux her first Belmont Stakes victory. Golden Tempo’s victory capped a standout spring campaign and further established the colt as one of the top three-year-olds in racing.

The race also proved to be a major success at the betting windows and on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings. According to the New York Racing Association, Belmont Stakes Day generated more than $116 million in all-sources wagering handle across the 14-race card at Saratoga. The event attracted 46,128 fans and featured six Grade 1 races among seven graded stakes overall.

Belmont Stakes Betting Numbers

The 2026 Belmont Stakes produced impressive wagering figures despite being held at Saratoga for the third consecutive year while renovations continue at Belmont Park.

Key Betting Figures

• All-sources handle: $116,077,378
• On-track handle: $13,416,742
• Belmont Stakes race handle alone: $50,876,383
• Paid attendance: 46,128
• Total races on card: 14
• Grade 1 races: 6
• Total graded stakes races: 7

The Belmont Stakes itself accounted for nearly $51 million in wagering, underscoring the continued popularity of Triple Crown racing. Saratoga has proven to be a strong temporary host for the event, with Belmont Stakes Day remaining one of the largest wagering days on the North American racing calendar.

Top Three Finishers

1. Golden Tempo

• Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
• Jockey: Jose Ortiz
• Kentucky Derby winner
• Captured second Triple Crown race victory of the season
• Likely headed to a summer campaign at Saratoga

2. Renegade

• Entered as the morning-line favorite
• Finished runner-up after another strong effort
• Also finished second in the Kentucky Derby
• Remains among the leading three-year-olds in training

3. Chief Wallabee

• Closed well in the stretch
• Continued a consistent Triple Crown season
• Added another graded-stakes placing to his résumé

Television Audience and Viewership

FOX Sports once again served as the exclusive television home of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, providing comprehensive coverage throughout the day. The network devoted extensive live coverage to Belmont Stakes Day, including undercard races, analysis, and feature programming leading into the main event.

Official television ratings and total viewership figures have not yet been released. However, industry observers expect the race to generate strong numbers given Golden Tempo’s status as Kentucky Derby winner and the continued national interest in Triple Crown racing.

FOX has invested heavily in horse racing coverage in recent years, and Belmont Stakes broadcasts have consistently ranked among the most-watched horse racing events outside of the Kentucky Derby.

Saratoga’s Final Year as Belmont Host

This year’s race marked the final Belmont Stakes expected to be held at Saratoga before the event returns to its traditional home on Long Island.

Belmont Park is scheduled to reopen later this year following a major redevelopment project, with the Belmont Stakes slated to return there in 2027.

For now, Saratoga’s temporary run as host of the Belmont Stakes has been a success. Strong attendance, robust wagering, and another memorable Triple Crown performance from Golden Tempo ensured the historic race remained one of horse racing’s biggest events of the year.