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Derby 152 Contestants Face Off in New York 🐎

Golden Tempo returns to the track

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August 28, 2026 11:01am EDT

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Golden Tempo Headlines the Midsummer Derby

Golden Tempo emerged as the leader of the three-year-old division with rousing, last-to-first rallies in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1). Now the Cherie DeVaux trainee will bid to confirm his status in Saturday’s $1.25 million Travers (G1) at Saratoga.

His nine opponents include familiar foes like Renegade, the Derby runner-up and Belmont third-placer. But there are new faces, including Preakness (G1) star Napoleon Solo; Baby Vino, who just upset Napoleon Solo in the Haskell (G1); and up-and-comers Leading Change and Sea Strike.

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Study Guide | Travers Stakes, Saratoga

Held over 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga, the historic Travers is also known as the Midsummer Derby. This year’s edition is packed with many of the fastest three-year-old Thoroughbreds in training, including four horses who competed in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

Let’s explore the full field for the 2026 Travers:

See the Study Guide

Travers Past Performances

Expert Pick of the Week

One of the two that has yet to earn a graded win is the Chad Brown-trained Sea Strike, who I feel has a fine chance to upset this cast in his first top-level try. The $650,000 two-year-old purchase has trained in excellent fashion all summer at this venue and continues to thrive in advance of his toughest assignment to date.

See the Full Pick

Your First Saturday in May Belongs at Churchill Downs

The roses have already found Golden Tempo once. This weekend, he carries that Derby legacy into the Travers Stakes, one of summer’s most storied tests.

Back in Louisville, the next Derby dream is already taking shape.

Select Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks two-day packages are now available. Because when the horses turn for home under the Twin Spires, you will want to be part of the roar.

Browse Seating Experiences

Derby Lucky Losers | Ridan (1962)

Undefeated at two, Ridan came into 1962’s Triple Crown season with high hopes for owners Dorothy Jolley, Ernest Woods, and John L. Greer. Though splint soreness kept him from meeting other juvenile starts of 1961, his springtime victories showed that the son of Nantallah deserved to be the favorite for the 1962 Kentucky Derby, but it would take a track record to beat him that day.

Kentucky Oaks Legacies | 1943 Winner

To kick off our series celebrating Oaks winners as influential producers, we’ll commemorate the ancestress of reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty, who recently romped in the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga. The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont (G1), and Travers (G1) champion is a direct descendant of the 1943 Kentucky Oaks winner, Nellie L.

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Derby 152 Contestants Face Off in New York 🐎

Golden Tempo returns to the track

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