Renegade could have company in the Belmont Stakes: Powershift emerges as another possible contender for the final jewel of the Triple Crown

Todd Pletcher is considering adding the promising son of Constitution to the final leg of the Triple Crown, where Arkansas Derby hero Renegade will seek revenge following his tremendous effort in the Kentucky Derby

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special to Turf Diario).- The road toward the Belmont Stakes (G1) is beginning to heat up, and the powerful barn of Todd Pletcher could launch a highly intriguing two-pronged attack at Saratoga.

While it had already been confirmed that Renegade (pictured) would target the final leg of the Triple Crown following his brilliant runner-up effort in the Kentucky Derby (G1), another name has now emerged as a legitimate possibility to join the lineup: Powershift.

The pair worked together Thursday over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga, covering a half-mile in :49.80 in a drill that left the Hall of Fame trainer fully satisfied.

“I thought it was a very good work for Renegade,” Pletcher explained. “He’s a very straightforward horse to train, he recovered quickly and didn’t show any signs of fatigue. Powershift is also a very talented work horse, and they’ve worked together many times before. They complement each other well.”

The visual impression did not go unnoticed.

Powershift finished slightly ahead of Renegade, although the primary objective was clearly to bring the Arkansas Derby (G1) hero back into competitive rhythm after not recording an official workout since his huge performance at Churchill Downs.

That afternoon, Renegade came close to giving Pletcher another Kentucky Derby victory despite suffering trouble shortly after the break from the difficult rail draw.

The son of Into Mischief responded with tremendous class to finish just a neck behind Golden Tempo (Curlin), in a performance that firmly established him among the leading 3-year-olds of the generation.

So far this season, Renegade owns two victories from three starts—including the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3)—while accumulating more than US$2 million in earnings.

But the major development surrounds Powershift.

The son of Constitution races for Repole Stable, the same ownership group that campaigns Renegade alongside Robert and Lawana Low, and he could potentially become an interesting tactical ally within the Belmont.

“I still need to talk with Mike (Repole), but we’re seriously considering running in the Belmont,” admitted Pletcher. “We’ve always thought highly of this horse, and we believe their running styles could complement each other very well. The possibility is definitely there.”

Powershift only broke his maiden on May 2 at Churchill Downs during Derby week, scoring by 2 3/4 lengths over 1700 meters after pressing the pace throughout.

Still, the regard surrounding him has always been high.

He debuted with a second-place finish at Tampa Bay Downs behind Emerging Market (Candy Ride), who later captured the Louisiana Derby (G2), and subsequently finished sixth in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) before taking the expected step forward at Churchill.

Now, the Belmont presents a possibility that is as ambitious as it is tempting.

The 2026 edition of the race promises to assemble an exceptionally competitive generation, with Golden Tempo and Renegade already established among the division’s major stars, while several other key contenders continue finalizing their next moves.