Kentucky Derby champion and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo will look to complete his own version of the Triple Crown when he competes in the Travers’ Stakes at Saratoga. As it enters its 157th year of existence, the “Mid-Summer Derby” is the oldest Stakes race specifically for three-year-old horses in the United States. The prestige and $1.25 million in purse money usually brings out a star-studded field of entrants and 2026 is absolutely no different. Nine other accomplished runners will challenge Golden Tempo including Kentucky Derby runner-up and Jim Dandy Stakes winner Renegade. Let’s take a look at the ten runners and provide a thought on each in what should be an excellent betting race for the speculating public. The runners will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line provided. Carded as race 13, the Travers has an expected post time of 6:35 pm eastern time.
1 Emerging Market
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Ricardo Santanna Jr.
Odds: 15-1
Son of Candy Ride won the Louisiana Derby in his second career start but was 10th in the Kentucky Derby and 5th in the Belmont Stakes. Inside draw will be a challenge and not sure how strong this Market is here. Invest elsewhere.
2 Leading Change
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Manny Franco
Odds: 12-1
Unbeaten in two career starts and won the Indiana Derby in his last start. Will this son of Gun Runner be a bit too wet behind the ears for a race like this? Conditioner is top notch, but this is awfully big step up in competition. Not so sure this Change will be leading at the end.
3 Napoleon Solo
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: John Velazquez
Odds:8-1
Preakness winner came up short in the Haskell in his last start. Gets a great gate jockey and the plan is likely try and take them all the way in gate-to-wire fashion. Loose on the lead would be good, but the mile and a quarter distance likely will be his Waterloo.
4 The Puma
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Odds: 8-1
Gutsy runner won the Tampa Derby and was just short in the Florida Derby. Slight injury kept him out of the Kentucky Derby and his comeback race was a fourth in the Haskell. Has the courage to be there at the end. Not sure he wins, but could be a horse for the superfecta.
5 Renegade
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Tyler Gafflione
Odds: 3-1
Brilliant in winning the Jim Dandy in his last start, this hard-driving son of Into Mischief has three wins, three seconds, and two third place finishes in eight career starts. Arkansas Derby win was also spectacular and runner-up finish in Kentucky Derby was also impressive. Closing style could set another late duel. One to have on all your exotic tickets.
6 Ocelli
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Edgar Zayas
Odds: 20-1
Son of Connect is winless in ten career starts but has earned $842,300 on the track. For a few seconds he looked like he might upset the Kentucky Derby before finishing third. Was a disappointing 7th in the Haskell in his last start. Breaking his maiden in this grade 1 race is not likely. Look for another longshot.
7 Sea Strike
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Odds: 5-1
Super impressive in winning the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga on August 2 by 8 ¼ lengths. Has just three career starts but trainer-jockey combination is highly successful. Tough ask for a relatively inexperienced horse, but he seems to be getting right at the right time. One to consider in the exotics and multi-race wagers.
8 Baby Vino
Trainer: Lindsay Schultz
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Odds: 10-1
Longshot winner of the Haskell with a gutsy run up the rail has now won three in a row. Beat some good horses but this will be by far his toughest test. Jockey is known for fearless rides and another ground-saving journey is needed again. Not sure this Baby has grown up enough to get it done in this one.
9 Golden Tempo
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Odds: 5-2
Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner had a slight hiccup that kept him out of prep races for this event. Recent works say his confidence and fitness are there. Huge closing kick could again pay big dividends. No female trainer has ever won this race but this has been a season of firsts. Our top choice to garner the glory.
10 Silent Tactic
Trainer Mark Casse
Jockey: Luis Saez
Odds: 10-1
Missed the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown races with injury but was a solid third in comeback in Jim Dandy. In all seven lifetime starts has finished in top three. Conditioner has been good in big spots all year and jockey has a knack for getting it done. Our upset special at a price and horse to have on your exotic tickets.