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LIVE Travers Stakes 2026 horse racing news, odds, picks, results and more

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Racing at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

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Saratoga hosts the 157th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes this Saturday, topping a blockbuster 12-race card featuring nine total stakes—including five Grade 1 events. Gates open early at 9:00 AM ET with a first post time of 11:05 AM.

Comprehensive handicapping coverage and live updates continue all afternoon ahead of the Travers post time at 6:35 PM ET. Fans can watch national coverage on the FOX family of networks or watch directly through TwinSpires and place their wagers.

A talent-rich field of three-year-olds are set to travel 1 1/4 miles on the Saratoga main track.

  • Golden Tempo (5-2): The morning-line favorite and dual classic winner (Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes) breaks from post 9.
  • Renegade (3-1): The Grade 2 Jim Dandy winner brings proven local form into the midsummer centerpiece.
  • Sea Strike (5-1): Draws strong betting support following a sharp summer campaign.
  • Napoleon Solo (8-1): The Preakness Stakes victor looks to add a second classic title to his resume
  • Baby Vino (10-1) & Leading Change (12-1): Prime value contenders offering intrigue in the exotics.

Stay tuned for live track updates, late scratch info, expert insight, and real-time results throughout Travers Day starting August 29 at 3:00 PM ET.


INDEX



2026 Travers Stakes odds

Stay up-to-date with our LIVE odds for the 2026 Travers Stakes!

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Travers Stakes 2026 Entries and Horses

Sharpen your handicapping edge. Get in-depth analysis, key horse breakdowns, and complete entry details for the 2026 Travers Stakes.

Emerging Market wins the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.

#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. 

Leading Change wins the Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

#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. 


Napoleon Solo wins the 151st Preakness at Laurel Park (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

#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. 

The Puma wins the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.

#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. 

Renegade wins the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

#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


 

Ocelli training at Churchill Downs

#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. 

Sea Strike dominated the Curlin S. in his stakes and two-turn debut (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

#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. 

Baby Vino wins the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Stakes.

#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. 


Golden Tempo wins the Belmont (G1) at Saratoga.

#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. 

Silent Tactic wins the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

#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. 

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Travers Stakes 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

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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)
  • Race 6: Maiden, 2:09 PM ET: #6 Saytara (10-1)
  • Race 7: Allowance, 2:44 PM ET: #9 Counterintuitive (4-1)
  • Race 10: Lake Placid (G2), 4:33 PM ET: #4 Deep Learning (4-1)

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

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Travers Stakes Post Time and How to Watch

Find out when and where to tune in to the Travers Stakes with TwinSpires!

What Time Does the Travers Stakes Start?

The Travers Stakes post time is set for 6:35 PM ET / 3:35 PM PT.

How to Watch the 2026 Travers Stakes

Streaming the Travers Stakes is straightforward through TwinSpires. After logging into your account, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Head to the Bet Now tab to view the daily race schedule.
  • Step 2: Choose Saratoga from the track menu to access the Travers Stakes Day lineup.
  • Step 3: Click or tap the VIDEO icon located in the upper right corner of the screen (available on both desktop and mobile apps).
  • Step 4: Launch the FREE live feed and enjoy the race day action right from home.

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2026 Travers Stakes Day Full Schedule

The Travers isn't the only stakes race on the schedule. Below is the complete 2026 Travers Day race card and post times so you won't miss a single moment of the live action.

Travers Day 2026 at Saratoga

RaceStakesTime
Race 8Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1)3:19 PM
Race 9Personal Ensign Stakes (G1)3:55 PM
Race 10Lake Placid Stakes (G2)4:33 PM
Race 11Forego Stakes (G1)5:11 PM
Race 12Ballerina Stakes (G1)5:49 PM
Race 13Travers Stakes (G1)6:35 PM

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2026 Travers Stakes Results

Who won the 2026 Travers Stakes?

Travers Stakes Results: TBD

Payouts for Travers Stakes: TBD

 

 

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Promotional Bonus Offers

Take advantage of our fantastic promotional bonus offers for a variety of tracks across the world right here with TwinSpires!

15% Odds Boost at Saratoga

Opt in to receive a 15% odds boost, up to $25, on your winning single horse Win wagers at Saratoga each racing Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in August.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

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Travers Stakes FAQ

How long is the Travers Stakes?

The Travers Stakes takes place over a distance of 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the dirt track at Saratoga.


What is the Travers Stakes purse? 

The race features a total purse payout of $1,250,000 to the winning horses of the Travers Stakes.


How do you bet on the Travers Stakes? 

With the big event fast approaching, you might be wondering how to place your wagers. Betting on Saratoga stakes races online is quick and simple through TwinSpires. Follow these steps to bet on the 2026 Travers Stakes right from home:

How to place a bet on the Travers Stakes online: 

Step 1: Crucially, start by checking our promotions page. We may have an active sign-up bonus or special promo available.

Step 2: If you prefer to skip the offers, go directly to our account registration page.

Step 3: Fill in your personal details (required to confirm you are at least 18 years old and living in a legal horse racing wagering state). Have your details ready ahead of time to speed up the process! You will need to provide your full name, email address, contact information, and account details to complete setup and begin depositing funds for your wagers.

Step 4: Once your registration is complete, head over to the wagering console (after reviewing any final promotional deals you want to claim) and begin placing your 2026 Travers Stakes bets!


What is the best app to bet on the Travers Stakes 2026? 

TwinSpires offers a dedicated mobile app designed to take your betting, handicapping, and live race streaming everywhere you go. Packed with features, it stands out as the top app for wagering on the 2026 Travers Stakes and beyond, offering:

  • Seamless, user-friendly betting
  • Live video streams of the day's races
  • Real-time racing updates, including live odds, scratches, and changes
  • In-the-moment live wagering right up until post time
  • Instant official results following every listed race
  • Access to more than 150 tracks worldwide
  • A reliable library of FREE expert handicapping picks
  • Weekly promotional bonus opportunities
  • Full legal compliance, reliability, safety, and security

Download the TwinSpires app TODAY using the links below: 


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