It's always the highlight of the Saratoga season, a race that crowns champions. The Travers Stakes (G1) is considered the fourth classic, and this year's Midsummer Derby brings together the hero of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Belmont Stakes (G1), deep closer Golden Tempo, as well as the Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, speedy Napoleon Solo.
Don't be surprised if Saturday's 157th running (post time 6:35 p.m. ET) determines the champion 3-year-old male. That's what happened in five of the past six years, when Sovereignty (2025), Arcangelo (2023), Epicenter (2022), Essential Quality (2021) and Tiz the Law (2020) took home a Travers trophy before being voted an Eclipse Award.
“This is the deepest Travers we've seen in a long time," said Chad Summers, who trains likely pacesetter Napoleon Solo. Besides him and Golden Tempo, Renegade (Arkansas Derby) and Baby Vino (Haskell Stakes) are Grade 1 winners.
Golden Tempo (5-2) is narrowly the morning-line favorite over Renegade (3-1). Todd Pletcher's colt finished second and third, respectively, in the Derby and Belmont, but he has a recency edge over his rival. Renegade surged late to take the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) last month. A mild lung infection forced Golden Tempo to skip that race, so he comes in off a 12-week layoff. Trainer Cherie DeVaux doesn't think her star will be rusty.
Birdstone (2004) and Arcangelo (2023) won the Travers without a prep race, so although it's not ideal, it can be done.
“He seems fit, he seems really happy,” DeVaux said. “He's had a couple of really nice works, and he wasn't exerted, so I think he's in a really good place.”
DeVaux sees Renegade as the main danger.
“I have great respect for Renegade,” she said. “I have always said this is a bit different from other races because horses do a lot of maturing throughout the summer, especially the colts. It will be interesting to see how they both perform.”
Pletcher believes Renegade is a better horse than he was during the Triple Crown series.
“I think Renegade has got his running style figured out -- settle and make that explosive move late,’’ Pletcher said. “He's been in peak form the past couple of weeks, and he acts like he's sitting on a big race.”
For those who like to wager on racing, here's a horse-by-horse rundown of the field from the rail out, with trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:
Lost three in a row, beaten a total of 19 3/4 lengths, since winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) in only his second career start. Golden Tempo finished third in that race, so Emerging Market has talent, but his recent form is poor.
Gets thrown in against the heavyweights after winning his first two starts. Definitely one to watch in the future, but this feels like too much too soon.
Preakness champion will go for the lead and will be in front until the top of the stretch. Beat a weak field at Laurel, then fell a half-length short of 28-1 Monmouth lover Baby Vino in the Haskell. Competition in the Travers is much better than what he faced in those races. Velazquez replaces Paco Lopez, who decided to ride Baby Vino. Might hang on for third but can't see him doing any better.
Never recovered from a bad start when a distant fourth in the Haskell, his first time out of the money in five lifetime races. Haskell pace was too slow for this closer, who looks like a wild card in here. Must outfinish Golden Tempo and Renegade, which is a lot to ask.
He's never been worse than third in eight starts. Jim Dandy (G2) victory was an impressive rebound from the Belmont, when Pletcher said he hadn't recovered from his rough-trip second in the Derby. Training well, and looks ready to peak again, so maybe Saturday will be his big day. Gaffalione replaces regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. (foot injury).
America's favorite maiden has been a money maker ($842,300) for his owners and a money burner in the win pool. Deep Closer ran his worst race ever (seventh, 32 lengths behind) in the Haskell at speed-favoring Monmouth.
Dominated the ungraded Curlin Stakes by 8 1/4 lengths at the Spa. Showed tactical speed before drawing clear while earning an excellent speed figure in his two-turn debut. Late bloomer could be a contender.
Needed five starts to break his maiden before going 2-for-2 at Monmouth. Few saw his 28-1 Haskell shocker coming, and I have the strong feeling he might just be a Monmouth specialist.
Do you think he'll be rusty? If so, look elsewhere, but this guy is the division champ until proven otherwise. Won coming off a fast pace in the Derby and off moderate to slow fractions in the Belmont. He's 2-for-2 going 10 furlongs, where Renegade is 0-for-2. If you can get 5-2 odds, bet him, but the 12-week layoff is a concern.
Consistent colt is 7-for-7 in the money (six stakes) while never giving the impression that he wants to go more than 1 1/16 miles. Ten furlongs are 1 1/2 too many.
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
