Jockey Club Gold Cup Picks, Odds, Betting Preview, and Insights (Sep 18)

• When: Friday, September 18, 2026 @ 4:14 PM ET
• Where: Belmont Park, New York, USA
• How to Watch: FanDuel TV

A new era at Belmont Park gets underway this weekend, with the opening meeting of the recently renovated course being headlined by the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Clues for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup will be on offer, as last year’s BC Classic champion Forever Young is in action in the U.S. But, can the world-famous Japanese-trained superstar justify heavy market support at the best horse racing betting sites? Find the latest odds and our Jockey Club Gold Cup picks here.     

Jockey Club Gold Cup Odds

Horse (Stall)	Odds
Baeza (1)	+650
Stars And Stripes (2)	+2000
Chunk Of Gold (3)	+1200
Phileas Fogg (4)	+300
Banishing (5)	+1200
Render Judgment (6)	+5000
Forever Young (7)	-125

Latest odds taken from an Offshore Sportsbook. BetOnline markets open on the day of the race.

Race Information & Records

Stat	Information
Race Distance	1 1/4 Miles
Purse	$1,000,000
Most Successful Trainer	Jim Fitzsimmons (6)
Most Successful Jockey	Eddie Arcaro (11)

ALSO SEE: Presidents Cup Picks, Odds & Betting Preview (Sep 24-27)

Jockey Club Gold Cup: Recent Winners

• 2025– Antiquarian (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher)
• 2024– Highland Falls (Flavien Prat/Brad Cox)
• 2023– Bright Future (Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher)
• 2022– Olympiad (Junior Alvarado/William Mott)
• 2021– Max Player (Ricardo Santana Jr/Steven Asmussen)

Jockey Club Gold Cup: Betting Preview

A high-quality field of eight runners go to post for the feature on opening day at new-look Belmont Park this weekend. BC Classic champion and global superstar Forever Young headlines the betting in the Grade One worth $1 million. Find out more about the runners involved on Friday here.

Baeza (Junior Alvarado/William Mott)

Mott and Alvarado teamed up for success in the Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2022. However, Baeza looks exposed at the top level. The four-year-old has won once in nine stakes starts, and was last seen chasing home Sovereignty when six lengths and fourth in the G1 Whitney. Best efforts have come over shorter distances, including when landing the G1 Pennsylvania Derby last September.

Stars And Stripes (John Velazquez/William Mott)

A second runner from the Mott yard is the interesting Stars And Stripes. The four-year-old by Not This Time excelled over an extreme longer distance by hold off Parchment Party by a nose in the Birdstone Stakes in August. The drop back in trip is a clear concern having finished 17 lengths behind Phileas Fogg in the G2 Suburban Stakes. Will need a red-hot galloping pace to stand any chance.

Chunk Of Gold (Jaime Torres/Ethan West)

Largely unexposed over this kind of distance for the underrated Ethan West stable. The four-year-old steps back up to 1 ¼ miles for the first time since finishing ninth in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. Was a fine third (beaten under a length) behind Magnitude in the G2 Clark at the end of last season, and likely needed the return run when narrowly second in the G3 Philip H Iselin. Interesting.

Phileas Fogg (Kendrick Carmouche/Gustavo Rodriguez)

Interesting six-year-old, who has looked better than ever this season. The Astern gelding made a dominant impression last time out in the G2 Suburban Stakes, beating Hit Show by ten lengths. Has won three from four starts over this distance (all at Aqueduct), and is a four-time winner in stakes company. Lacks the Grade One prowess of Forever Young, but certainly a must for Exotics.

Banishing (Joel Rosario/David Jacobson)

Likable six-year-old with a gritty determination. Has finished in the first two on nine from 15 starts in stakes company, but lacks the quality to likely compete for the win. Was second in the G2 Charles Town Classic when last seen. Has form to find with Forever Young after finishing ten lengths behind the Japanese raider in the G1 Saudi Cup. Likely better over a mile these days.

Render Judgment (Manuel Franco/Kenneth McPeek)

Is yet to fire in five starts in stakes company, beaten 40 lengths in last year’s Kentucky Derby and ten lengths when fifth in the G3 Cornhusker Handicap in July. Settled better in a weaker race last time when beaten by Georgia Magic in an allowance optional claimer. Likely making up the numbers and he is easy to overlook.

Forever Young (Ryusei Sakai/Yoshito Yahagi)

Superstar Japanese raider, who won the BC Classic on his most recent U.S. start. He is a ten-time winner in stakes company. Landing the G1 Saudi Cup in striking fashion earlier this year when beating Nysos by a length. Forever Young is the world-class operator in this field, and he has excuses when beaten in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March (doesn’t perform at his peak at Meydan). Current BC Classic favorite at +300.

Jockey Club Gold Cup Picks

Racing fans will be in for a treat this weekend, as a rare opportunity to see Forever Young on U.S. turf is set. The Japanese raider is miles the best in this field, holding a 142 RPR (next best is Banishing with 134). A superstar performance will light up opening weekend at Belmont Park, which would see him move clear as favorite in the BC Classic betting in his bid to retain his title. Phileas Fogg and Chunk Of Gold look like the interesting Exotic plays to follow him home.

Free Pick:

• Forever Young
• Exacta Box: Forever Young/Phileas Fogg/Chunk Of Gold

Belmont Park Picks for September 18

Race	Pick
R1 – 1:30 PM ET– Maiden Special Weight	Mary Lois
R2 – 2:04 PM ET – Maiden Special Weight	Harlow Drive
R3 – 2:39 PM ET – Allowance Optional Claiming	Melodies
R4 – 3:15 PM ET – Allowance Optional Claiming	A Bourbon For Tony
R5 – 4:14 PM ET – G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup	SEE ABOVE
R6 – 4:49 PM ET – Allowance Optional Claiming	A Little At First
R7 – 5:24 PM ET – Maiden Special Weight	Stone Aged
R8 – 5:59 PM ET – Starter Allowance	Freaky
R9 – 6:34 PM ET – Allowance	Maria Callas