Study Guide: 2026 Travers Stakes

Aug 25, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Golden Tempo edged Renegade in the Kentucky Derby (G1) (Photo by Coady Media)

Two horses who combined to win the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness (G1), and Belmont (G1)—the three legs of the Triple Crown—will meet in a sensational renewal of the $1.25 million Travers (G1) on Saturday.

Held over 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga, the historic Travers is also known as the Midsummer Derby. This year’s edition is packed with many of the fastest three-year-old Thoroughbreds in training, including four horses who competed in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

Let’s explore the full field for the 2026 Travers:

Emerging Market

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Klaravich Stables
Breeder: Stoneriggs Farm
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (102) when winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $703,880

Sire: Candy Ride
Dam: Wild Empress
Color: Chestnut

Winner of the Louisiana Derby during the spring, Emerging Market faltered in his two Triple Crown appearances, finishing 10th in the Kentucky Derby and fifth in the Belmont. He exits a runner-up finish in a Saratoga allowance and will need a step forward to beat this deep Travers field.

Leading Change

Start(s): 2
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Wathnan Racing
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Manny Franco

Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $246,696

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Starship Warpspeed
Color: Bay

Leading Change is unbeaten in two starts, including a hard-fought triumph in the Indiana Derby (G3). But the Travers is by far his toughest (and longest) test to date. He’s clearly talented, but conquering Triple Crown stars over 1 1/4 miles won’t be easy.

Napoleon Solo

Start(s): 6
Wins: 3
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Espoir USA
Breeder: John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (104) when finishing second in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park.
Total Earnings: $1,760,520

Sire: Liam’s Map
Dam: Atomic Blonde
Color: Gray/roan

Napoleon Solo has lots of early speed, which he’s used to win the Preakness and Champagne (G1). As the only obvious frontrunner in the Travers field, Napoleon Solo is eligible to shake loose on an uncontested lead and possibly hold off all challengers down the Saratoga homestretch.

The Puma

Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: OGMA Investments, High Step Racing, TCC Stables, YNG Stables, and JR Ranch
Breeder: Hidden Brook Farm and Brian Kahn
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Top Speed Rating: (100) on two occasions, including when finishing second in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $492,280

Sire: Essential Quality
Dam: Eve of War
Color: Chestnut

The Puma enjoyed a productive first quarter of the year, winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and finishing second by a nose in the Florida Derby (G1). He recently returned from time off to finish fourth in the Haskell, and with that comeback effort under his belt, there’s a chance he’ll improve in the Travers.

Renegade

Start(s): 8
Wins: 3
Place: 3
Show: 2

Owner: Robert Low, Lawana L. Low, and Repole Stable
Breeder: Robert Low and Lawana Low
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (102) when winning the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $2,506,500

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Spice Is Nice
Color: Bay

Renegade unleashed a fast finish from far off the pace to win the Aug. 1 Jim Dandy at Saratoga, a local prep for the Travers. The fact that he’s raced recently could give him a fitness edge over Golden Tempo, who defeated Renegade by a neck in the Kentucky Derby and by 5 1/4 lengths in the Belmont. Don’t be surprised if Renegade gets his revenge in the Travers.

Ocelli

Start(s): 10
Wins: 0
Place: 2
Show: 4

Owner: Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate, Ribble Farms, Hoolie Racing Stables, and Kamp Racing Stables
Breeder: Rosedown Racing Stables
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Edgard Zayas

Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing third in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $842,300

Sire: Connect
Dam: Zalia
Color: Bay

Although Ocelli is winless in 10 starts, he’s run some solid races against tough competition, most notably finishing third by one length in the Kentucky Derby. But his late-running style could be compromised in the Travers if Napoleon Solo secures an easy lead and slows down the pace.

Sea Strike

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Flanagan Racing
Breeder: Lesley Campion and River Oak Farm
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning the Curlin S. at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $131,300

Sire: Midshipman
Dam: Meetmeonline
Color: Chestnut

Sea Strike was much the best in the Aug. 2 Curlin S. at Saratoga, racing close to the pace before taking over to defeat Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher Chief Wallabee by 8 1/4 lengths. In the process, he earned a 105 Brisnet Speed rating, the highest number belonging to any horse entered in the Travers. If Sea Strike works out a perfect trip racing close to a modest pace set by Napoleon Solo, he may deliver another big run to snatch first prize in the Travers.

Baby Vino

Start(s): 7
Wins: 3
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Delta Squad Racing, HRH Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and Cosmo Stables
Breeder: Lisa Parks
Trainer: Lindsay Schultz
Jockey: Paco Lopez

Top Speed Rating: (104) when winning the Haskell at Monmouth Park.
Total Earnings: $794,916

Sire: Vino Rosso
Dam: Discreetly Grand
Color: Bay

Baby Vino has won three races in a row. On July 18, he saved ground and rallied inside of Napoleon Solo to upset the Haskell by half a length, earning a flashy 104 Brisnet Speed rating. Baby Vino has improved by leaps and bounds this year and may be capable of surprising again in the Travers.

Golden Tempo

Start(s): 6
Wins: 4
Place: 0
Show: 2

Owner: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable
Breeder: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stables
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing third in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $4,633,000

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Carrumba
Color: Bay

Golden Tempo was the star of the Triple Crown, unleashing giant rallies to win the Kentucky Derby and Belmont in succession. In both races, he defeated Renegade. An illness unfortunately forced Golden Tempo to miss the Jim Dandy, so he hasn’t raced since the beginning of June. But he’s bounced back with a series of encouraging workouts at Saratoga, suggesting he’ll be fit for a strong showing. Look for Golden Tempo to unleash another formidable rally in the Travers.

𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢 comes off the pace to win the 152nd @KentuckyDerby ! 🌹🏇

Jockey @jose93_ortiz scores a KY Derby & Oaks riding double.

Trainer @reredevaux becomes the 1st female trainer to saddle a Derby winner.#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/BDytiS70U0

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 2, 2026

Silent Tactic

Start(s): 7
Wins: 2
Place: 4
Show: 1

Owner: John C. Oxley and Victoriam Farm
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing third in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $1,111,922

Sire: Tacitus
Dam: Magical Sign
Color: Bay

Silent Tactic hasn’t finished worse than third in seven starts, including six stakes. He ran second against Renegade in the Arkansas Derby (G1), then took time off to recover from a hoof bruise. He returned to action in the Jim Dandy and finished third after racing much closer to the pace than usual. If he’s gained fitness from his comeback race, Silent Tactic can take a step forward in the Travers.