Forego Stakes Update: Book’em Danno Scratched, Travers Field Confirmed

Book’em Danno, the favored in Saturday’s $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, was withdrawn hours before the race due to a stall-related injury, trainer Derek Ryan announced. The horse had been the even-money choice but developed complications after becoming cast in his stall—a situation where a horse becomes trapped lying on its side near a wall and struggles to rise.

“He was restless in his stall yesterday and likely cast himself overnight,” Ryan explained to drf.com. “This isn’t a major issue, but he isn’t at 100 percent today. If racing were tomorrow, he’d be ready, but not at this moment.”

Book’em Danno has won 12 of 19 career starts, including his 2025 Forego victory en route to a championship. Ryan stated the horse will return to Monmouth Park and target the Vosburgh Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park on September 26.

Banishing, who finished second in Friday’s $1 million Charles Town Classic, had been entered in the Forego but was redirected to the earlier stakes. Willy D’s ($16.40) claimed victory in the Forego.

The Forego field has been reduced to six runners following the scratch.

Travers Stakes Field Set with Golden Tempo as Early Favorite

The full 10-horse field for Saturday’s 1 ¼-mile Travers Stakes (G1) is confirmed, led by Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo as the morning line favorite. Pletcher-trained Renegade, fresh off his Jum Dandy Stakes (G2) victory, sits at 3-1 morning line odds. Post time is 6:35 p.m. ET.

Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds
1 | Emerging Market (KY) | R Santana, Jr. | C C Brown | 15-1
2 | Leading Change (KY) | M Franco | B H Cox | 12-1
3 | Napoleon Solo (KY) | J R Velazquez | C Summers | 8-1
4 | The Puma (KY) | J Castellano | G Delgado | 8-1
5 | Renegade (KY) | T Gaffalione | T A Pletcher | 3-1
6 | Ocelli (KY) | E J Zayas | D Beckman | 20-1
7 | Sea Strike (KY) | F Prat | C C Brown | 5-1
8 | Baby Vino (KY) | P Lopez | L Schultz | 10-1
9 | Golden Tempo (KY) | J L Ortiz | C DeVaux | 5-2
10 | Silent Tactic (KY) | L Saez | M E Casse | 10-1

Weather Forecast: Sunny Conditions for Travers Day

Saratoga Springs is expected to host clear skies Saturday afternoon with temperatures in the 70s and no precipitation in the forecast, creating ideal racing conditions.

Additional Graded Stakes Scratches on Travers Day

Further scratches on Saturday’s card include Solitude Dude (H. Allen Jerkens Memorial), Oscar Bound (Lake Placid Stakes), and Usha and Grammy Girl (Ballerina Stakes).

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