2026 Travers Stakes: Full Schedule, Start Time, Horses, Purse, TV Channel and How to Watch

The 157th running of the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers Stakes goes Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Saratoga Race Course — and if you only make it to one day of racing this summer, this is the one.

The Travers is Saratoga's signature event: a $1.25 million showdown for three-year-olds run at 1¼ miles that draws the best horses of the season, the biggest crowds of the meet, and the atmosphere that makes Saratoga, Saratoga. If you haven't locked in housing for Travers week yet, you're cutting it close.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Travers Stakes.

What Is the Travers Stakes?

The Travers Stakes is the oldest stakes race in the United States run exclusively for three-year-old thoroughbreds. First run in 1864 and named for William R. Travers, founding president of the Saratoga Racing Association, it has anchored the Saratoga summer meet for more than 160 years.

Nicknamed the "Midsummer Derby," the Travers ranks third among American three-year-old races behind only the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. It's the defining test of the summer: which horse from the Triple Crown season can go 1¼ miles against a fresh field in the August heat?

The answer is often not the one bettors expect. Saratoga has earned its nickname "The Graveyard of Favorites" for good reason — the Travers has produced some of the biggest upsets in racing history, including 100-1 shot Jim Dandy's shocking defeat of Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox in 1930.

2026 Travers Stakes: Race Day Details

Race: Grade 1 DraftKings Travers Stakes

Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026

Track: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY

Distance: 1¼ miles (10 furlongs), dirt

Purse: $1,250,000

Eligibility: Three-year-olds

Weights: Colts & geldings, 126 lbs; fillies, 121 lbs

When is 2026 Travers Stakes?

The 2026 Travers Stakes will be held on Saturday, August 29, marking the 157th edition of the historic race.

Where is 2026 Travers Stakes?

Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is a Grade 1 race for three-year-olds run at 1¼ miles on dirt.

What Time Does the Travers Stakes Start?

The full Travers Day card has a first post of 11:05 a.m. ET (gates open at 9:00 a.m.).

How to Watch the 2026 Travers Stakes?

Live coverage airs on the FOX Sports family of networks as part of the “Saratoga Saturday” broadcast.

Undercard and additional coverage runs on FS1/FS2 via NYRA’s Saratoga Live.

Television

FOX: The national broadcast carries the marquee Saratoga Saturday card, including the Travers, with in-depth build-up and analysis.

FS1 / FS2: NYRA's "Saratoga Live" show provides daily and undercard coverage throughout Travers week.

Live Streaming

FOX Sports app / website: Stream with your TV provider login.

Live TV services: YouTube TV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all carry FOX, FS1, and FS2 without cable.

Wagering platforms: Legal racing and betting apps such as Xpressbet, NYRA Bets, and BUSR offer live video streams for account holders.

What Horses Are Running in the 2026 Travers Stakes?

Official entries are drawn and confirmed by NYRA closer to race day. As of early August 2026, frequently mentioned probable and possible contenders include:

Renegade (Into Mischief) – Todd A. Pletcher – 1st in 2026 Jim Dandy (G2) – Probable

Golden Tempo (Curlin) – Cherie DeVaux – 1st in 2026 Belmont Stakes (G1) – Probable

Commandment (Into Mischief) – Brad H. Cox – 2nd in 2026 Jim Dandy (G2) – Probable

Silent Tactic (Tacitus) – Mark E. Casse – 3rd in 2026 Jim Dandy (G2) – Probable

The Puma (Essential Quality) – Gustavo Delgado – 4th in 2026 Haskell (G1) – Probable

Baby Vino (Vino Rosso) – Lindsay Schultz – 1st in 2026 Haskell (G1) – Probable/Possible

Sea Strike (Midshipman) – Chad C. Brown – 1st in 2026 Curlin – Probable

Other possibles include Ocelli, Counting Stars, Chief Wallabee, Napoleon Solo, Emerging Market, and Sabino Canyon. The field, connections, and status are subject to change.

How Much Is the Travers Stakes Purse in 2026?

The 2026 DraftKings Travers Stakes carries a purse of $1,250,000. Across the full Travers Day card, the five Grade 1 races combine for $3.25 million in purse money.

2026 Travers Stakes Prize Money Breakdown

Total purse: $1,250,000.

Travers Stakes (G1) — $1,250,000

Personal Ensign (G1) — $500,000

Forego (G1) — $500,000

H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) — $500,000

Resorts World Casino Ballerina (G1) — $500,000

That's $3.25 million in Grade 1 prize money across five races on a single card, plus additional supporting stakes.

________