American horse racing season is heating up. With the Belmont Stakes just weeks away and Santa Anita’s spring meet in full swing, there is plenty of news coming out of US racing circuits.
Kentucky Derby winner Midnight Thunder is preparing for the Belmont Stakes. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt worked five furlongs at Churchill Downs this morning. His time of 59.2 seconds was the fastest of the morning session.
Belmont Stakes Update
The Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, will be run on June 6 at Belmont Park. Midnight Thunder is expected to be the heavy favorite. But he will face stiff competition.
Preakness winner Saint Martin is also pointing to the Belmont. That race is 1.5 miles, the longest of the Triple Crown. Not every horse can handle the distance. Midnight Thunder’s pedigree suggests he can.
• Date: June 6, 2026
• Track: Belmont Park, New York
• Distance: 1.5 miles (12 furlongs)
• Purse: $1.5 million
• TV: NBC, 5:00 PM ET
Jockey News: Irad Ortiz Jr. Chasing History
Irad Ortiz Jr. is having another monster year. The Puerto Rican-born jockey has 47 wins already this season. He is on pace to break his own record of 350 wins set last year.
Ortiz won three races at Belmont Park last weekend. He is the leading jockey at the Belmont spring meet. His agent said he has rides in all nine races this Saturday.
Santa Anita Spring Meet Update
Santa Anita’s spring meet is drawing to a close. The track has seen some outstanding performances this year. Leading trainer Bob Baffert has 22 wins so far.
Baffert’s top horse, Arabian Knight, is being pointed to the Met Mile at Belmont. That race is on the Belmont Stakes undercard. It will be Arabian Knight’s first start of the year.
• Trainer: Bob Baffert (22 wins)
• Jockey: Juan Hernandez (18 wins)
• Owner: SF Racing (12 wins)
• Top Horse: Arabian Knight
Horse Injury News
There is some bad news from the East Coast. Grade 1 winner Forte has been sidelined with a minor tendon issue. The horse will miss the rest of the spring season.
Trainer Todd Pletcher said Forte should return in the fall. “We caught it early. He will have plenty of time to recover. The Breeders’ Cup is still the goal.”
Del Mar Summer Meet Preview
Del Mar’s summer meet opens July 17. The seaside track always attracts top horses and trainers. This year’s meet will feature 11 stakes races.
The highlight is the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on August 22. Arabian Knight is expected to run in that race. Last year’s winner, Slow Down Andy, may also return.
Kentucky Derby Winner Update
Midnight Thunder worked five furlongs at Churchill Downs this morning. His time of 59.2 seconds was impressive. The colt has put on weight since the Derby.
Owner Mike Repole said the horse is doing better than expected. “I’m not a nervous guy, but this horse makes me nervous. He is that good. I don’t want to mess anything up.”
• May 10: 4f in 48.1 (1/22)
• May 17: 5f in 59.4 (2/15)
• May 24: 5f in 59.2 (1/18)
• May 31 (scheduled): Final major work
New York Racing Association News
The New York Racing Association announced increased purses for the Belmont Stakes Day card. Total purses will exceed $10 million for the first time.
The Belmont Stakes itself will be worth $1.5 million. The undercard features five other Grade 1 races. Each of those races will offer at least $500,000.
TV Schedule for Belmont Week
NBC and USA Network will cover Belmont Stakes week. Coverage begins on June 3 with the Belmont Stakes draw. Post position draw will be shown live on NBCSN.
Race day coverage starts at 2:00 PM ET on NBC. The Belmont Stakes post time is approximately 5:00 PM ET.
Kentucky Oaks Winner Update
Kentucky Oaks winner Just Fabulous is being pointed to the Acorn Stakes at Belmont. That Grade 1 race is for 3-year-old fillies at one mile.
Trainer Brad Cox said the filly is training well. “She came out of the Oaks in great order. The Acorn is the logical next step.”
Churchill Downs News
Churchill Downs announced that fall meet dates are set. The meet will run from October 24 through November 28. The highlight is the Breeders’ Cup on November 6-7.
Tickets for the Breeders’ Cup go on sale next month. Early demand is expected to be high.
• June 6: Belmont Stakes (Belmont Park)
• July 17: Del Mar opening day
• August 22: Pacific Classic (Del Mar)
• October 24: Churchill Downs fall meet opens
• November 6-7: Breeders’ Cup (Churchill Downs)
Frequently Asked Questions
June 6, 2026 at Belmont Park, New York.
Midnight Thunder won the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
At Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on November 6-7.
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