Tipsheet: 2026 Travers Stakes

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). 

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

RELATED: LIVE Travers Stakes 2026 odds, picks, entries, post time, and results

Travers Stakes Contenders

#1 EMERGING MARKET (15-1): 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): 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): 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): 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): 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): 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): 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): 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): 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): 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.