Travers Stakes Picks — Derby Winner Golden Tempo Favored at +265 on Return to Action (Aug 29)
- When: Saturday, August 29, 2026 @ 6:35 PM ET
- Where: Saratoga, New York
- How to Watch: FOX, FanDuel TV
The summer highlight on the Saratoga calendar is set for this Saturday, as a key stop for horses aged three on the way to the Breeders’ Cup comes in the form of the G1 Travers Stakes. Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes hero Golden Tempo will be back in action for the first time since June, and he will be favored at the odds available at the best horse racing betting sites to make a winning return. You can find the latest odds and our Travers Stakes picks here.
Travers Stakes Odds
| Horse (Draw) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Emerging Market (1) | +1800 |
| Leading Change (2) | +750 |
| Napoleon Solo (3) | +1000 |
| The Puma (4) | +900 |
| Renegade (5) | +325 |
| Ocelli (6) | +4500 |
| Sea Strike (7) | +350 |
| Baby Vino (8) | +1600 |
| Golden Tempo (9) | +265 |
| Silent Tactic (10) | +1200 |
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 1/4 Miles |
| Purse | $1,250,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | Bert Mulholland (5) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Javier Castellano (7) |
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Travers Stakes: Recent Winners
- 2025– Sovereignty (Junior Alvarado/William Mott)
- 2024– Fierceness (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher)
- 2023– Arcangelo (Javier Castellano/Jena Antonucci)
- 2022– Epicenter (Joel Rosario/Steven Asmussen)
- 2021– Essential Quality (Luis Saez/Brad Cox)
Travers Stakes: Betting Preview
The summer highlight on the Saratoga calendar is set for this weekend, as a star-studded field of ten go to post to contest the Midsummer Derby. The G1 Travers Stakes will see the field compete across 1 ¼ miles, and it will likely set the pecking order for the three-year-old horses when it comes to the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic later this season.
All eyes this weekend will be on Cherie DeVaux-trained Golden Tempo, who will be back on track for the first time since winning the G1 Belmont Stakes. The superstar has exceeded all expectations this season after winning the Kentucky Derby, but his win in the Belmont gives him a clear form edge over a couple of reappearing rivals. Yet to get the credit that he deserves, but is undoubtedly the one to beat on Saturday.
Renegade will once again re-oppose, with Tyler Gaffalione taking the ride in place of the injured Irad Ortiz. The three-year-old was a neck behind Golden Tempo in the Kentucky Derby before finishing five lengths behind the same rival in the Belmont. Has the added advantage of a recent run after holding off Commandment to win the G2 Jim Dandy.
The Puma could be the forgotten horse in this field, but the Gustavo Delgado runner ran a strong race after a layoff when fourth on sloppy ground in the G1 Haskell. Already has form mixing in with top horses this year, including a win in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby and a close second behind Commandment in the G1 Florida Derby.
Leading Charge and Sea Strike are two notable horses to consider this weekend, with the former boasting a perfect record under rules for Brad Cox. We don’t know where his ceiling lies yet, but this step up in distance should suit the Gun Runner colt.
Sea Strike is shorter in the betting for trainer Chad Brown after dominating a good field in the Listed Curlin Stakes, putting eight lengths between himself and Chief Wallabee.
Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo shouldn’t be ignored, and he looks more than capable of reversing the G1 Haskell Stakes with Baby Vino. Emerging Market was well beaten in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but he could yet improve with more racing as one of the more inexperienced runners in those fields.
Travers Stakes Picks
I put up Golden Tempo to win the Kentucky Derby in May, and I fully believe that he is the best three-year-old in the U.S. this season. His naysayers will always say that something will beat him, but while a fast pace in the Derby suited his chances, he proved in the Belmont that he could also knuckle down and win off a slow pace.
Versatile in every sense, and this is the weekend he will finally get the credit he deserves. The Puma and Renegade could complete the Trifecta.
Silent Tactic shouldn’t be ignored after running an eye-catching third (finishing just two lengths behind Renegade) after a near five-month layoff in the G2 Jim Dandy. Has form that mixed in with the best before the layoff, including winning the G3 Southwest and finishing a nose behind Class President in the G2 Rebel.
Free Pick:
