The Eddie Olczyk Belmont Stakes picks for 2026 have been revealed, with the former NHL player and now respected NBC handicapper lifting the lid on his “must-use” tips for Saturday’s 158th renewal of the final Triple Crown race.
Olczyk names his main Belmont selection, along with his main picks for the Met Mile and Manhattan Stakes – which are also on the Belmont Saratoga card on Saturday night.
Eddie Olczyk has also already fired in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winners this year – so will be looking for a Triple Crown clean sweep.
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Eddie Olczyk Belmont Stakes Picks and Predictions 2026:“I Think He’s The Best Horse In The Race”
After talking to the The Jury Podcast on Thursday – Eddie Olczyk revealed his 2026 Belmont Stakes picks.
“Well, 100% I was going to pick him in the Kentucky Derby, but RENEGADE ended up on the rail and I wasn’t too keen on where he ended up – coming second to Golden Tempo, who was my third-placed pick in the race so I ended up getting lucky on the exacta, even though Emerging Markets was the main horse I picked in the Derby. “
“But I think the race (Belmont) is going to set up absolutely perfect for RENEGADE. I think he is the best equine athlete in this race. “
“I also think he’ll get a perfect trip. Last time I feel the excuses were plentiful in the Derby and has since had plenty of time to come back. The race sets up and we have to trust connections (Todd Pletcher).”
“I’d be happy with 5/2, but I don’t know if I’m gunna get it. But sometimes you just have to take what the track gives you.”
“I’m ALL IN ON RENEGADE.”
“I just feel he is the best horse and the race sets up for him and he can show everybody the type of horse he is here. “
“Despite picking him in the Derby, I just don’t see things breaking right for Golden Tempo. So I’ll be using Emerging Markets and Chief Wallabee too.”
Belmont Stakes Pick: RENEGADE
Belmont Stakes Post Positions and Betting Odds 2026
See the latest Belmont Stakes betting odds below, which changed after the Belmont Stakes post positions were revealed.
- Vitruvian Man (Doug O’Neill, Antonio Fresu) 50/1
- Powershift (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez) 12/1
- Chief Wallabee (Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado) 7/2
- Renegade (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr) 7/4
- Ottinho (Chad Brown, Dylan Davis) 25/1
- Growth Equity (Chad Brown, Manny Franco) 12/1
- Commandment (Brad Cox, John Velazquez) 7/1
- Emerging Market (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat) 8/1
- Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz) 6/1
Note: Belmont Stakes betting odds are subject to change and will be updated accordingly.
Belmont Stakes Race Details 2026
- Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
- Venue: Saratoga Racecourse
- Race Number: 158th running of the Belmont Stakes
- Distance: 1¼ miles (10 furlongs)
- Surface: Dirt
- Race Type: Grade 1 Thoroughbred race for three-year-olds
- Festival Dates: Wednesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 7, 2026
- Purse: $2 million
Eddie Olczyk Also Has Met Mile and Manhattan Stakes Fancies
Eddie Olczyk Met Mile Pick 2026: Journalism To Hit The News
“I will try and take a stab on the outside runner JOURNALISM, in what is an unbelievable edition of the Met Mile and over the one turn I’ll be hoping he’ll have enough left in the lane to get the job done. “
“I will be very interested to see how this race plays out – especially when you are gunna have a horse like Nysos breaking from the inside for Bob Baffert. “
“Where I overlooked Nysos initially, the so-called one turn out of the shoot at Saratoga – I thought that was a positive check mark for Nysos to be able to run one of his better races. “
“But I’m looking to try and beat Nysos and because he’s down on the inside and do believe there’s a little more speed in here and thought JOURNALISM from the outside post position he’ll be able to sit the trip out and make the one run. “
“No doubt he needed the last race (watch below) – the 1 1/4, I think, is good and shorten up on the outside as there’s going to be some speed and maybe Nysos gets boggled down or gets in behind and doesn’t have the greatest trip.”
“Of the rest, I think Vibe might be aggressive and should be forward here. He could set the tone for this race and could be huge at 15-1. “
Met Mile Pick: JOURNALISM
Eddie Olczyk Manhattan Stakes Pick 2026: Make Me King To Sit On Saratoga Throne
“Added distance will certainly help – I kinda felt – knowing there is going to be pace up front. “
“When these European horses come over, especially in these grass races – it’s difficult to know a lot about these horses. Obviously the stakes runners, like Bright Picture – you can see that they are going to be in a position to be dominating a race like this.”
“If you are willing to take a short price – then feel free.”
“But I just thought MAKE ME KING would have the race set up and possibly get the jump on the others and the so-called closers in the race. “
“For the first time at Churchill Downs I thought he ran an impressive race (2nd, watch below), and with a better post position (3) and enough speed in the race I was really looking for a price. “
“Maybe I’ll box him up with Bright Picture, but MAKE ME KING is my pick and maybe we get lucky with the exacta.”
Manhattan Stakes Pick: MAKE ME KING
Who Is Eddie Olczyk – The NBC Horse Racing Handicapper?
Plenty of racing fans will already have their own opinions heading into Saturday’s 158th running of the Belmont Stakes, as this latest group of three-year-olds look to land The Run for the Carnations on Saturday.
Still, whether you’re a seasoned punter or just follow the sport casually, there’s always interest in hearing what the top racing voices have to say – and NBC’s Eddie Olczyk is firmly in that category.
Many will remember Olczyk from his 16-year NHL career, where he played for six different teams, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
He later returned to Pittsburgh as head coach in 2003.
Eddie Olczyk Horse Racing Picks 2026
After stepping away from hockey, Olczyk moved into broadcasting with NBC, covering the NHL.
That role eventually gave him the chance to bring his passion for horse racing to television as well. With the network bringing him in as an analyst and handicapper.
Since then, he’s become one of the familiar voices around the biggest races in the US, covering the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Breeders’ Cup, and Preakness Stakes for NBC.
His views – both on a weekly basis and on racing’s biggest days – are followed by thousands.
Which makes his 2026 Belmont Stakes predictions more than worth paying attention to. Especially after firing in a 1-2 in the Derby.
