Travers Stakes: Favorite Golden Tempo a Risky Bet?

The 2026 Travers Stakes, often called the "Midsummer Derby," is set to take place on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. This year's race is significant as it will be part of the new Thoroughbred Championship Series. Golden Tempo, the 5-2 favorite, is aiming for a third major win after securing victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes during the spring season. However, handicapper Gene Menez advises against betting on Golden Tempo. Menez points to the horse's third-place finishes in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star Stakes, and expresses concern over a recent illness that caused him to miss training opportunities.

Instead, Menez favors a different horse predicted to have an ideal race flow. He also has high hopes for a longshot contender that has reportedly shown excellent form in recent training sessions. Menez's expertise is well-documented, with past successes including significant payouts on Breeders' Cup Saturday and accurate predictions in races like the Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes. His analysis for the Travers Stakes is available on SportsLine.