Leading Change didn’t debut until June 7, the day after 2-1 Travers favorite Golden Tempo landed his second classic win of the season in the Belmont (G1).

With earlier wins in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1) in the bag, Golden Tempo has all the momentum heading into the Travers.

Golden Tempo defied the critics again, rallying from the rear of the field and outstaying Commandment inside the final furlong to win by 1 1/4 lengths under Jose Ortiz.

The Belmont, which will return to its traditional 1 1/2-mile distance at Belmont Park next year, attracted a field of nine.

***Updated with post positions and morning-line odds

History was made on the first Saturday in May when Golden Tempo stormed down the Churchill Downs homestretch to win the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).

***Updated with post positions, morning-line odds, and scratches

Emerging Market will be an unusual entrant in the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) with but two starts.

A quartet of promising colts will attempt to make the big leap from maiden victories to a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.

Earlier this week, Paladin was installed as the individual favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager that runs over the weekend. On Saturday, the Chad Brown colt enhanced his resume.

Remsen (G2) winner Paladin heads west from his winter base in Florida to New Orleans for the $500,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

Chip Honcho will have to overcome a more challenging post position if he's to follow up his win in last month's Gun Runner S. in the $250,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday.