A group of GI Belmont Stakes contenders are beginning to assemble at Saratoga Race Course. Leading the contingent is GI Arkansas Derby-winner and recent GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Renegade (Into Mischief), who arrived upstate for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher on Wednesday.
The colt returned to training on Thursday, and again on Friday morning for some light exercise in his first on-track appearances since finishing a neck second to Golden Tempo (Curlin) in the “Run for the Roses” at Churchill Downs last Saturday.
Renegade is in Saratoga to prepare for an intended start in the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
“He got back to the track yesterday and seems to be in good form,” Pletcher said. “He seemed to bounce out of it [the Derby] well and shipped nicely. He's probably enjoying the cooler weather. He'll have a couple breezes between now and the Belmont, and I haven't really firmed up anything. We'll monitor him this week and see how he does.”
Pletcher said he was proud of Renegade's Derby effort after the trouble he endured at the outset.
“He was super game, and it was just unfortunate he got bounced around a bit,” Pletcher said. “He still finished great.”
Renegade would likely face a rematch with the Cherie DeVaux-trained Golden Tempo in the Belmont, and potentially Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher Chief Wallabee (Constitution), who is also in Saratoga for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
“We always love the Belmont, and we're excited for him, and just hoping everything goes smoothly,” said Pletcher, who has won the Belmont four times.
Kentucky Derby runner-up RENEGADE has arrived at Saratoga ahead of the Belmont Stakes! pic.twitter.com/bo1IqAoksV
— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) May 6, 2026
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