Belmont Stakes: Saratoga Hosts $2M Purse Race

Saratoga is set to host the 158th Belmont Stakes this Saturday, June 6th, serving as the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. Due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park, the prestigious race will be held at Saratoga.

The contest boasts a $2 million prize fund, making it one of the richest horse races in the United States and a significant event on the American racing calendar.

The $2 million purse is distributed among the first eight finishers. The winner receives the largest share at $1.2 million, with the runner-up earning $360,000 and third place securing $200,000. Even the eighth-place finisher is awarded $20,000.

This substantial prize money is then split between the winning owner, jockey, and trainer. Typically, the owner receives 80% of the purse, while the jockey and trainer each get 10%. This means the winning jockey and trainer would each earn approximately $120,000 before deductions.

Further deductions apply to the jockey's earnings. A jockey's agent receives 25% of their share, and the valet gets 5%. After these deductions, a jockey's net earnings are around $84,000, prior to taxes. The winning jockey also receives a trophy.

First staged in 1867, the Belmont Stakes has seen dramatic purse increases over its history. The purse reached $1 million in 1998, rose to $1.5 million in 2014, and increased to its current $2 million level in 2024. In comparison, the Kentucky Derby's 2026 winner received $3.1 million.