Leading Change Defies Expectations in Travers Stakes Triumph

Leading Change delivered a stunning upset in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1), overtaking Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo in the final stretch while Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) champion Golden Tempo finished third, aided by a 12-week layoff, at Saratoga on Saturday.

Sent off as a 10-1 longshot in just his third career start, Leading Change paced the field with Napoleon Solo through splits of 23.60 for a quarter mile, 47.40 for a half-mile and 1:12.60 for three-quarters of a mile.

Golden Tempo and Renegade trailed significantly in the 10-horse field, but Renegade failed to make a sustained challenge under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who substituted for the injured Irad Ortiz, Jr. The Derby and Belmont winner surged between horses in the stretch but couldn’t overtake the leaders after his extended absence from competition.

Jockey Jose Ortiz later reflected that an outside move might have been more advantageous than his inward shift in the final moments.

However, it was Manny Franco’s masterful riding that secured Leading Change’s maiden G1 victory, returning $22.76 on a $2 win bet. The colt completed the 1 ¼-mile distance in 2:02.98.

The Travers marked a third career meeting between Golden Tempo and Renegade, who previously finished second in the Derby and third in the Belmont Stakes.

Breeders’ Cup Classic Emerges as Likely Target for Leading Change

Leading Change, sired by elite stallion Gun Runner, now positions himself for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland, where Golden Tempo, Renegade, and champions Sovereignty and Forever Young are also expected to compete.

Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, missed ten days of training due to a minor illness but was deemed ready to race. DeVaux stated the colt was in peak condition, though his charge in the stretch couldn’t surpass Leading Change’s sustained drive.

“By the three-eighths pole, he [Leading Change] broke stride, and I thought, ‘OK,’” Franco recalled. “Once he went outside, he maintained his pace. He was determined.”

Cox emphasized Leading Change’s readiness, noting the colt had performed well against accomplished older horses in previous work. “This is like icing on the cake,” he said. “He showed up today. Very good horse. Talented horse. Manny Franco? Great ride.”

Earlier Travers Day Graded Stakes Results:

— Hymm ($4.70) rallied late to claim victory in the $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1), securing a fees-paid spot in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

— Fully Subscribed ($3.86) dominated the $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) by 9 ¾ lengths, earning a Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) berth and potentially facing Nitrogen.

— Englishman ($2.82) asserted his dominance as the premier 3-year-old sprinter with a 3 ¾-length triumph over Deep Flame in the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1).

— Naomis ($4.54) completed a dramatic last-to-first rally to win the $400,000 Lake Placid Stakes (G2) by a half-length.

— Ways and Means ($4.70) powered to a 5 ½-length victory in the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes (G1), claiming a fees-paid entry to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

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