LIVE Travers Stakes 2026 odds, picks, entries, post time, and results
Leading Change wins the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand)
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Welcome to our live coverage of the 157th running of the Travers Stakes at historic Saratoga Race Course! Gates opened early at 9:00 AM for a packed day featuring a thrilling nine-stakes card—including five Grade 1 events—starting with the first post at 11:05 AM.
All eyes lead up to the post time at 6:35 PM. ET, broadcast nationwide across the FOX family of networks or to stream FREE right here with a TwinSpires account. The marquee event pits the division’s top 3-year-olds over 1 1/4 miles on the main track, competing for a massive $1.25 million purse.
Bettors are closely monitoring the Travers Stakes 2026 odds, where Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes hero Golden Tempo leads the field as the 5-2 morning-line favorite from post 9. He faces stiff competition from Jim Dandy champion Renegade (3-1), Preakness winner Napoleon Solo (8-1), and intriguing contenders Sea Strike (5-1), Baby Vino (10-1), and Leading Change (12-1).
Stay tuned right here for live updates, track conditions, expert commentary, and race results all day long beginning on August 29 at 3:00 PM ET.
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Travers Stakes 2026 odds
The Travers Stakes 2026 odds are in. Stay up-to-date with our LIVE odds!
Travers Stakes 2026 Entries and Horses
Knowing the contenders is a vital part of handicapping. Discover everything you need to know about the Travers Stakes 2026 entries and horses, with in depth analysis and more.
#1 Emerging Market (15-1)
Trainer: Chad Brown | Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr.
First of two from the barn of Chad Brown captured the Louisiana Derby (G2) earlier this season and gets the rail second time off the layoff in this one. The chestnut son of Candy Ride had a useful allowance prep on the oval last time and could grab a share with a well-timed voyage under Ricardo Santana, Jr.
#2 Leading Change (12-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox | Jockey: Manuel Franco
Brad Cox pupil is short on experience but long on talent with a two-for-two mark in advance of his Grade 1 debut. The $800,000 son of Gun Runner went best in the Indiana Derby (G3) in his latest venture but faces a much taller task in this field with Manny Franco in the silks.
#3 Napoleon Solo (8-1)
Trainer:Brad Cox | Jockey: John Velazquez
Win contender from the barn of Chad Summers was a fine winner in the Preakness (G1) two back prior to coming home a game runner-up in the Haskell (G1) in his most recent outing. Two-time Grade 1 hero is the pace of the race and will be dangerous if left alone on the front end with John Velazquez inheriting the mount.
#4 The Puma (8-1)
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado | Jockey: Javier Castellano
Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner checked in fourth in the Haskell off the layoff last time and will improve on this occasion for Delgado. The chestnut son of Essential Quality has posted some fast morning drills in advance of his local bow and can surely be in the mix late with a forward move second time back beneath Javier Castellano.
#5 Renegade (3-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher | Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Grade 1 victor had a fine prep for this when rallying to capture the Jim Dandy (G2) on the course most recently and will be doing his best work in the lane in this endeavor. The classy Into Mischief colt has reportedly been training in great fashion in preparation for the feature and will make one run late under new pilot Tyler Gaffalione.
#6 Ocelli (20-1)
Trainer: Whitworth Beckman | Jockey: Edgard J. Zayas
Kentucky Derby (G1) third, is still a maiden but has run well with some of the best horses in the division and has exotics appeal in the tilt. The bay son of Connect didn’t fire at Monmouth last time but gets 10 furlongs today and will be coming on in the lane with Edgard Zayas accepting the mount.
#7 Sea Strike (5-1)
Trainer: Chad Brown | Jockey: Flavien Prat
Upset selection looked like a star in the making in the Curlin S. at this venue in his route debut last time for Chad Brown. The $650,000 son of Midshipman gave me the impression of a horse who will love the move to 1 1/4 miles, and the colt continues to train like a serious runner as well. I expect the rising sophomore to move to the lead in the midstretch, with regular pilot Flavien Prat staying in the silks.
#8 Baby Vino (10-1)
Trainer: Lindsay Schultz | Jockey: Paco Lopez
Lindsay Schultz pupil rides in on a three-race win streak led by a game upset in the Haskell (G1) in his latest showing. The sophomore son of Vino Rosso has a versatile running style and wouldn’t be a major surprise with Paco Lopez taking the reins.
#9 Golden Tempo (5-2)
Trainer: Jose Ortiz | Jockey: Cherie DeVaux
Current leader in the division is a dual Classic winner who is proven on the course and at the distance for Cherie DeVaux. The Curlin homebred has gone last-to-first in a pair of electric tallies in succession and comes into the tilt fresh with some very good recent morning moves on the oval. Regular rider Jose Ortiz will bring the colt from the back of the pack once again.
#10 Silent Tactic (10-1)
Trainer: Mark Casse | Jockey: Luis Saez
Dangerous one from the fine Casse shedrow had an excellent prep for the race when third in the local Jim Dandy last time out and could be sitting on a big one in his second appearance since March. The Tacitus colt possesses the running style to be well-placed at the top of the stretch, and he has a lot of longshot appeal with Luis Saez retaining the mount.
Travers Stakes Expert Picks
A stellar cast of 10 sophomores will run 1 1/4 miles on the Saratoga main strip in Saturday’s storied $1.25 million Travers (G1). Check out these horse racing best bets below!
Travers Stakes Picks
- #7 Sea Strike
- #9 Golden Tempo
- #5 Renegade
- #4 The Puma
Travers Stakes Wagers
- $5 exacta key box 7 with 4,5,9
- 50-cent superfecta 7 with 4,5,9 with 4,5,9 all
#7 SEA STRIKE (5-1): Upset selection looked like a star in the making in the Curlin S. at this venue in his route debut last time for Chad Brown. The $650,000 son of Midshipman gave me the impression of a horse who will love the move to 1 1/4 miles, and the colt continues to train like a serious runner as well. I expect the rising sophomore to move to the lead in the midstretch, with regular pilot Flavien Prat staying in the silks.
#9 GOLDEN TEMPO (5-2): Current leader in the division is a dual Classic winner who is proven on the course and at the distance for Cherie DeVaux. The Curlin homebred has gone last-to-first in a pair of electric tallies in succession and comes into the tilt fresh with some very good recent morning moves on the oval. Regular rider Jose Ortiz will bring the colt from the back of the pack once again.
#5 RENEGADE (3-1): Grade 1 victor had a fine prep for this when rallying to capture the Jim Dandy (G2) on the course most recently and will be doing his best work in the lane in this endeavor. The classy Into Mischief colt has reportedly been training in great fashion in preparation for the feature and will make one run late under new pilot Tyler Gaffalione.
#4 THE PUMA (8-1): Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner checked in fourth in the Haskell off the layoff last time and will improve on this occasion for Delgado. The chestnut son of Essential Quality has posted some fast morning drills in advance of his local bow and can surely be in the mix late with a forward move second time back beneath Javier Castellano.
Travers' Stakes Day Spot Plays
Outside of Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup weekends, few cards during the course of the season get as much attention from bettors as does Travers Day at Saratoga. In addition to all the major stakes action, I’ll be eyeing a couple of the two-year-old maiden races as well as a couple of turf offerings during the course of the eight-hour program.
- Race 1: Maiden, 11:05 AM ET: #6 Beau Valor (4-1)
- Beau Valor’s $525,000 purchase price represents a huge market return relative to sire Beau Liam’s initial $7,500 stud fee at Airdrie. With a versatile, stakes-winning half-sister in Kale’s Angel, he stands to be competitive under top connections George Weaver and John Velazquez.
- Race 6: Maiden, 2:09 PM ET: #6 Saytara (10-1)
- Sired by a 15% debut stallion and out of Zaajel—a winner of her debut, the Forward Gal (G3), and the Mother Goose (G2) over one turn—this filly carries strong talent despite her dam’s inconsistent record. Trained by Todd Pletcher, who had both parents, she benefits from a proven partnership with John Velazquez and offers intrigue at a price if Foxiest takes heavy action.
- Race 7: Allowance, 2:44 PM ET: #9 Counterintuitive (4-1)
- Off since a two-length Keeneland maiden win in October, Counterintuitive’s form was boosted by third-place finisher Kentucky Belle’s recent 10-1 Saratoga Oaks (G2) upset. Despite drawing the widest post, she possesses the early speed to contend throughout for trainer Chad Brown.
- Race 10: Lake Placid (G2), 4:33 PM ET: #4 Deep Learning (4-1)
- Sired by Cairo Prince, #4 Deep Learning (4-1) offers strong value for Chad Brown after finishing second in a tight photo for the Aug. 1 Lake George (G3)—a needed comeback effort following a layoff since her November Chelsey Flower victory. With stablemate Naomis and Group 3 winner Queen of Hawaii drawing heavy betting, she should offer an attractive price.
Travers Stakes post time and how to watch
Discover the when and where with the Travers Stakes post time and how to watch right here with TwinSpires.
What time is the Travers Stakes?
Travers Stakes post time is 6:35 PM ET or 3:35 PM PT.
How to watch the Travers Stakes 2026
Watching the Travers Stakes is simple with TwinSpires. Once you create an account and sign in, you simply follow these steps:
- Step 1: Navigate to the Bet Now section where you will find a list of races.
- Step 2: Select the track you wish to view. To watch the Travers Stakes Day races you will want to select Saratoga.
- Step 3: You can then easily find the VIDEO button in the top right, on desktop or on your mobile app
- Step 4: Start streaming your chosen race and enjoy a day of horse racing at home!
Travers Day 2026 full card and post times
The Travers isn't the only stakes race of the day. Here is the Travers Day 2026 full card and post times so you can be sure not to miss any of the racing action.
Travers Day 2026 at Saratoga
Travers Stakes 2026 Results and Payouts
Who won the Travers Stakes 2026?
Travers Stakes Results: Leading Change
Payouts for Travers Stakes
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Travers Stakes FAQ
How long is the Travers Stakes?
The Travers Stakes is 1 1/4 mile (10 furlongs) along a dirt track at Saratoga.
What is the Travers Stakes purse?
The purse will award $1,250,000 to the winners of the Travers Stakes.
How do you bet the Travers Stakes?
With the Travers Stakes quickly approaching, you may wonder:How do you bet the Travers Stakes? Betting on Saratoga stakes races from home is quick and easy with TwinSpires. Here are some steps on how to be on the Travers Stakes 2026 from the comfort of your own home.
- How to place a bet on the Travers Stakes online?
- Step 1: This is the most important step. Check our offers page! We may be running a promotion for a sign-up bonus or offer.
- Step 2: If not interested in an offer, simply click here to find our registration page.
- Step 3: Enter your personal information (we ask for several pieces of information to verify you are over 18 in age and reside in a state where horse racing bets are legal). Gather all information ahead of time to make the process even quicker! You will need to fill in your name and email, your contact information and account information to start depositing and placing those best bets.
- Step 4: Once your account has been created the fun begins. You can navigate to our betting platform (after taking a look any other offers you wish to take advantage of) and begin placing your best bets for Travers Stakes 2026!
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