Ocelli Withdraws From the Belmont, Leaving the 2026 Triple Crown Without a Horse Contesting All Three Legs

The Kentucky Derby (G1) third-place finisher and fourth in the Preakness will now target the Ohio Derby; the Belmont loses a major player, and the outlook becomes even more favorable for Golden Tempo and the division’s leading contenders

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special to Turf Diario).- Ocelli's journey through the American Triple Crown has come to an early end.

The Whit Beckman trainee, one of the season's biggest revelations, will not start in next Saturday's Belmont Stakes (G1) and instead will point directly toward the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown on June 20.

The decision, confirmed by the trainer himself, creates an unusual statistical footnote: for the first time in several years, no horse will have competed in all three races that make up the American Triple Crown.

Ocelli had put together a remarkable campaign.

He earned his way into the Kentucky Derby (G1) after finishing third in the Wood Memorial (G2) and then exceeded expectations once again at Churchill Downs, running a strong third behind Golden Tempo (Curlin) and Renegade (Into Mischief).

Two weeks later he returned in the Preakness Stakes (G1), where he finished fourth, beaten 7 1/4 lengths by Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map).

The demands of two such taxing performances in just fifteen days ultimately tipped the scales toward caution.

“I don't think the pace scenario in the Belmont is going to play to his strengths,” Beckman explained. “I think he could run well sitting closer to the pace, but we'd rather target a slightly less demanding race and head into the summer with a chance to win an important stakes.”

Ocelli's withdrawal further reduces the projected Belmont field, which, barring any late additions, would be left with only nine runners.

And it is far from an insignificant loss.

A deep closer by nature, he likely would have needed a strong pace to produce his best effort, something his connections consider unlikely in this year's renewal.

Beckman also acknowledged that the overall quality of the field played a major role in the decision.

“The race is shaping up like a condensed version of the Derby, with many of the best horses from the entire prep season,” he said.

That assessment appears accurate.

The Belmont is expected to reunite Derby one-two finishers Golden Tempo and Renegade, along with other major players such as Commandment (Into Mischief), winner of the Florida Derby (G1); Emerging Market (Candy Ride), hero of the Louisiana Derby (G2); and the rapidly improving Growth Equity (Nyquist), Ottinho (Quality Road), Powershift (Constitution), and Vitruvian Man (Vino Rosso).

Particularly intriguing is the presence of Powershift, Renegade's stablemate in the Todd Pletcher barn, who could jump directly from a recent maiden victory into the sport's highest level.

Meanwhile, Ocelli will attempt to build on the tremendous progress he displayed throughout the spring.

He worked a half-mile in :48.60 Sunday at Churchill Downs, leaving Beckman pleased with what he saw.

“He worked very well. We simply felt the Ohio Derby represented a better opportunity to win,” the trainer said.

With Ocelli out, the Belmont loses one of the most consistent performers of this year's Triple Crown series.

But it also brings greater clarity to a race increasingly centered around Golden Tempo, the sensational Kentucky Derby winner trained by Cherie DeVaux, who will attempt to solidify his position as the leader of the 3-year-old division and move one step closer to championship honors.

The post-position draw will take place Monday, finalizing the field for a race that, even without Ocelli, promises to assemble many of the most accomplished horses of the first half of the American season.