Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
The $1.25 million Travers Stakes brings one of the year’s strongest 3-year-old fields to Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 29. Known as the “Mid-Summer Derby,” the 1¼-mile Grade 1 could go a long way toward deciding the 2026 3-year-old championship. Golden Tempo (5-2), winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, is the horse to beat, while Renegade (3-1) and rapidly improving Sea Strike (5-1) appear capable of taking him down. Napoleon Solo (8-1) and Baby Vino (10-1) offer legitimate upset potential, while Emerging Market (15-1) and Ocelli (20-1) are intriguing longshots for bettors looking to spice up exactas and trifectas. Check out our race breakdown and full field info!
THE HORSES TO BEAT
- Golden Tempo – 5-2
The obvious starting point after spectacular last-to-first victories in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. He has already proven he can handle 1¼ miles at Saratoga, although this will be his first start since the Belmont after recovering from a bacterial infection. If he returns at his spring best, everyone else may simply be running for second. - Renegade – 3-1
Few horses have been more consistent against elite competition. Renegade finished second to Golden Tempo in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Belmont and then returned to Saratoga to win the Jim Dandy, the traditional local prep for the Travers. His familiarity with the track and sharp recent form make him perhaps the favorite’s most dangerous rival. - Sea Strike – 5-1
Sea Strike is the “now horse” in the field after exploding to an 8¼-length victory in the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga. He is lightly raced and still improving for trainer Chad Brown, and his speed figures suggest he belongs with this group. The big question is whether he can reproduce that performance while stretching another furlong against the best horses he has faced.
THEY COULD WIN IT
- Napoleon Solo – 8-1
Don’t overlook the winner of this year’s Preakness Stakes. Napoleon Solo used his early speed to take the Preakness wire-to-wire and nearly repeated the feat in the Haskell before being caught late. If he gets comfortable on the front end at Saratoga, he could prove difficult to reel in. - Baby Vino – 10-1
The Haskell winner already demonstrated that he can beat a horse like Napoleon Solo, producing a rail-skimming upset at Monmouth. This is a tougher assignment away from his home track, but another step forward puts him squarely in the conversation at an attractive price.
THE LONGSHOT PLAYS
- Emerging Market – 15-1
His recent form makes him easy to dismiss, but there is one important reason not to completely ignore him: Emerging Market defeated Golden Tempo in the Louisiana Derby earlier this season. He was later 10th in the Kentucky Derby and fifth in the Belmont, but trainer Chad Brown is giving him another shot after an encouraging runner-up effort against older horses at Saratoga. At 15-1, he is more interesting underneath in exotic wagers than as a straight win play. - Ocelli – 20-1
Ocelli remains a maiden, but he may be one of the most accomplished maidens in the country. He finished third in the Kentucky Derby, fourth in the Preakness and second in the Ohio Derby, showing that he can compete with quality stakes horses even without finding the winner’s circle. His disappointing Haskell is a concern, but at 20-1 he is the type that could dramatically increase a trifecta or superfecta payoff.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
2026 TRAVERS STAKES — FULL FIELD
Saturday, August 29 • Post Time: 6:35 p.m. ET • Saratoga Race Course • 1¼ Miles • Grade 1 • $1.25 Million
PP Horse Odds Jockey Trainer Owner
1 Emerging Market 15-1 Ricardo Santana Jr. Chad Brown Klaravich Stables, Inc.
2 Leading Change 12-1 Manuel Franco Brad Cox Wathnan Racing
3 Napoleon Solo 8-1 John Velazquez Chad Summers Espoir USA, Inc.
4 The Puma 8-1 Javier Castellano Gustavo Delgado OGMA Investments LLC, High Step Racing, TCC Stables LLC, YNG Stables LLC & JR Ranch
5 Renegade 3-1 Tyler Gaffalione Todd Pletcher Robert Low, Lawana Low & Repole Stable
6 Ocelli 20-1 Edgard Zayas D. Whitworth Beckman Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate, Ribble Farms, Hoolie Racing Stable LLC & Kamp Racing
7 Sea Strike 5-1 Flavien Prat Chad Brown Flanagan Racing
8 Baby Vino 10-1 Paco Lopez Lindsay Schultz Delta Squad Racing LLC, HRH Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud & partners
9 Golden Tempo 5-2 Jose Ortiz Cherie DeVaux Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stable
10 Silent Tactic 10-1 Luis Saez Mark Casse John C. Oxley & Victoriam Farm
*Morning-Line Favorite: Golden Tempo, 5-2; Second Choice: Renegade, 3-1
