Renegade: Post 5; Morning Line: 3-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Renegade appears to be all set for a high-stakes rematch with Golden Tempo, not to mention eight other rivals in a deep Travers field.
Nipped by a neck in the Kentucky Derby (G1) by fellow closer Golden Tempo and then finishing third behind Golden Tempo and Commandment in the Belmont Stakes (G1), Renegade returned to his winning form in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at the Spa on Aug. 1.
The Jim Dandy has been a successful steppingstone to a Travers win for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. His three Travers winners – Fierceness in 2024, Stay Thirsty in 2011 and Flower Alley in 2005 – were all victorious in the Jim Dandy.
While this means little to bettors, history has a way of repeating. And with Renegade, 3-1 on the morning line, Pletcher is hopeful his colt can turn the tables on Golden Tempo.
Renegade posted his final workout before the Travers on Aug. 22 (Saturday) at Saratoga – 4 furlongs in 48.87 seconds.
“I was very pleased and I thought he worked great,” Pletcher said. “It seems like he’s in really good form at the moment. I think everything has gone as well as we could have hoped. I wish the race was today.”
The Into Mischief colt will have a new rider Saturday in Tyler Gaffalione, who replaces the sidelined Irad Ortiz, Jr. [out until further notice with an ankle injury sustained earlier this month].
Ortiz has ridden Renegade in seven of his eight career starts, with victories in the Sam F. Davis Stakes, the Arkansas Derby (G1) and the Jim Dandy, seconds in the Remsen Stakes (G2) and the Derby, and thirds in his debut [Aug. 16, 2025], and the Belmont.
A deep closer, Renegade leaves from post in the 10-horse field and will likely settle near the back along with rival Golden Tempo and the winless Ocelli. The big question is how Tyler Gaffalione manages the race under a powerful colt making a final, dramatic run to the finish line as he’s passing most of the field. Gaffalione is talented in his own right and would seem to be up for the task. While the field includes top challengers such as Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo and surprise Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Baby Vino, an all-out final push to the wire should include Renegade (and Golden Tempo).
Renegade may have an edge over Golden Tempo, who missed some training with an illness and was held out of the Jim Dandy. While trainer Cherie DeVaux says her Derby-Belmont winner is as good as ever, he’s coming in off an 84-day layoff.
If Renegade is on his game, turning the tables is a good bet – as long as he handles the rest of the field. Top win contender, and 3-1 odds, though, could dip.
-- Richard Rosenblatt
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
