Travers Stakes 2026 Entries, Post Positions, Odds, Picks, Prediction
The Saratoga Race Course card is loaded on Saturday, August 29, but the Grade 1 Travers Stakes stands as the clear main event. Fans at The Spa will also see several other Grade 1 races, including the Personal Ensign, Forego, and Ballerina—all Breeders’ Cup qualifiers.While the Travers is not a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race, it carries a massive $1.25 million purse and features some of the nation’s top 3-year-olds.This is the 157th running of the Travers.
The field of 10 is outstanding and includes Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo along with Preakness Stakes champion Napoleon Solo. The race is carded as Race 13 with an expected post time of 6:35 p.m. ET on FOX.
Travers Stakes 2026 Post Positions, Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Odds
1. Emerging Market
Jockey: R. Santana Jr. | Trainer: C. Brown | Odds: 15-1
2. Leading Change
Jockey: M. Franco | Trainer: B. Cox | Odds: 12-1
3. Napoleon Solo
Jockey: J. Velazquez | Trainer: C. Summers | Odds: 8-1
4. The Puma
Jockey: J. Castellano | Trainer: G. Delgado | Odds: 8-1
5. Renegade
Jockey: T. Gaffalione | Trainer: T. Pletcher | Odds: 3-1
6. Ocelli
Jockey: E. Zayas | Trainer: D. Beckman | Odds: 20-1
7. Sea Strike
Jockey: F. Prat | Trainer: C. Brown | Odds: 5-1
8. Baby Vino
Jockey: P. Lopez | Trainer: L. Schultz | Odds: 10-1
9. Golden Tempo
Jockey: J. Ortiz | Trainer: C. DeVaux | Odds: 5/2
10. Silent Tactic
Jockey: L. Saez | Trainer: M. Casse | Odds: 10-1
This field boasts more than $13 million in combined earnings. Golden Tempo leads the way after winning two Triple Crown races, while Renegade has earned over $2.5 million, including a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby.
Travers Stakes 2026 Horse-by-Horse Analysis
1. Emerging Market (15-1)
Chad Brown’s first of two entrants is a son of Candy Ride out of Wild Empress for Klaravich Stables. Strong connections and solid bloodlines sit on the rail, but he is the second-longest price on the board. The Louisiana Derby winner struggled with the distance in the Kentucky Derby, finished fifth in the Belmont, and did not show well on the Saratoga dirt last time out. Ricardo Santana Jr. gets the mount while Brown’s preferred rider is aboard Sea Strike.
2. Leading Change (12-1)
Manny Franco faces an early tactical decision—press the pace or sit just off it. The son of Gun Runner won the Indiana Derby as the favorite. He broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in early June and ran well in his Grade 3 stakes debut, but this is a significant step up in class against several proven closers.
3. Napoleon Solo (8-1)
The Preakness winner returns after finishing second to Baby Vino in the Haskell. Many top 3-year-olds skipped the Preakness, which somewhat softens the accomplishment. He will be asked to stretch out an extra quarter-mile after failing to hold off a closer on a sloppy track last time. Cleaner conditions are expected Saturday.
4. The Puma (8-1)
Scratched from the Kentucky Derby after winning the Tampa Bay Derby and finishing second in the Florida Derby. He returned from a lengthy layoff to finish fourth in the Haskell. Seven-time Travers-winning jockey Javier Castellano is back aboard. The son of Essential Quality (who swept the Jim Dandy and Travers in 2021) is intriguing at this price after missing some time.
5. Renegade (3-1)
A consistent force all year, Renegade won the Jim Dandy last time out, finished third in the Belmont, and was second in the Kentucky Derby. He also captured the Sam F. Davis and Arkansas Derby. The rider switch from Irad Ortiz Jr. to Tyler Gaffalione is notable for a horse that thrives as a closer.
6. Ocelli (20-1)
Third in a thrilling Kentucky Derby, Ocelli has since finished fourth in the Preakness, failed to win the Ohio Derby, and finished last in the Haskell. The muddy track last time out did not suit him. A cleaner surface could help him hit the board as a long shot. Edgard Zayas picks up the mount.
7. Sea Strike (5-1)
Flavien Prat rides Chad Brown’s preferred entry after unlocking a win at nearly 6-1 in the Curlin Stakes on the Saratoga dirt. The extra distance and much stronger field make the current price appear a bit short. Sire Midshipman was more of a sprinter.
8. Baby Vino (10-1)
Lindsay Schultz became the first female trainer to win the Haskell with this 28-1 long shot. The son of Vino Rosso has won two stakes races since taking five tries to break his maiden. Paco Lopez returns to the saddle. His most recent Saratoga workout was sharp (four furlongs in 47.31), but he will be stretching out to 1¼ miles for the first time.
9. Golden Tempo (5/2)
Jose Ortiz rides the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner from post 9. The son of Curlin has already proven he can handle 10 furlongs with dramatic late runs. The race setup looks similar to his previous big wins. However, he has not raced since the Belmont on June 6, and the extended layoff is a legitimate question.
10. Silent Tactic (10-1)
Luis Saez rides a horse that has rarely finished worse than third and was second to Renegade in the Arkansas Derby. He finished farther back in the Jim Dandy after being pushed toward the early lead. Expect a more traditional closing trip this time.
Travers Stakes 2026 Predictions and Picks
I’m taking a price play with The Puma to upset. The extended layoff for Golden Tempo is a concern, and while Renegade has the talent, the rider change is a mild negative for me in a race of this magnitude. Baby Vino should run well enough to round out the superfecta but may not quite get there.
Travers Stakes 2026 Picks
1. The Puma (4)
2. Golden Tempo (9)
3. Renegade (5)
4. Baby Vino (8)
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