Leading Change seized control in the closing stages of the Travers Stakes, defeating Preakness winner Napoleon Solo and dual-classic champion Golden Tempo.
NYRA
Golden Tempo entered the Travers Stakes at Saratoga aiming for a historic sweep after capturing both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. However, Leading Change, a standout from Brad Cox’s stable, had other plans. With a powerful late surge, Leading Change secured the $1.25 million victory, denying the Cherie DeVaux-trained Golden Tempo a rare triple victory in these prestigious three-year-old contests.
Saratoga Maintains Its Reputation as the “Graveyard of Champions”
Saratoga has long been dubbed the “Graveyard of Champions,” a title earned from a history of favorites falling in upstate New York. The very term “upset” originated here when a 100-1 longshot defeated the legendary Man o’War. Even icons like Secretariat and American Pharoah suffered defeats at the Spa. While theories vary on why the track produces such results, Golden Tempo arrived as the clear favorite, with a win poised to cement his status as the top three-year-old male of 2026. Instead, the lightly raced Leading Change has now disrupted the hierarchy of the division.
Jockey Manny Franco and Leading Change establish themselves as top contenders with a stunning Travers Stakes win.
photo by NYRA (Chris Rahayel)
Breaking sharply, Leading Change settled into a stalking position, efficiently saving ground along the rail during the ten-furlong test. Golden Tempo utilized his trademark deep-closing style, remaining toward the rear of the pack. As Napoleon Solo set a steady pace with fractions of 23.66 (opening quarter), 47.95 (half mile), and 1:12.62 (three quarters), Leading Change remained poised. Turning for home, jockey Manny Franco maneuvered Leading Change off the rail and into the clear. Meanwhile, Golden Tempo struggled to find a clean path through traffic. Franco urged his mount into high gear, engaging the leader and lengthening his stride inside the sixteenth pole. In a thrilling finish, the son of Gun Runner surged ahead in the shadow of the wire to win by a half-length. Napoleon Solo finished second, and Golden Tempo rallied for third once he found clear running room.
The Strategic Depth of the Brad Cox Stable
The victory serves as a masterclass in training from Brad Cox, one of North America’s premier conditioners. Success on the biggest stages often requires a deep roster of talent, as horses fluctuate in form. The late-August timing of the Travers presents a unique challenge: maintaining a spring champion’s peak or identifying a fresh, high-quality alternative.
Renowned trainer Brad Cox is pictured being recognized as the leading trainer at Kentucky Downs.
photo by Coady
For the 2026 Travers, Cox relied on his depth. With Florida Derby winner Commandment and Blue Grass Stakes winner Further Ado not at their peak, Cox tapped a lightly raced son of Gun Runner to carry the banner. Despite the risk—Leading Change had only two career starts, including a maiden win at Churchill Downs and a narrow victory in the Indiana Derby—Cox remained confident in the colt’s ability to handle the Grade 1 distance.
“He has always been a fantastic workhorse and is easy to be around,” Cox noted. “We have always viewed him as classy and extremely talented. He is an honest racehorse, and he was the one in our barn who gave us the most confidence to win.”
Leading Change silenced the skeptics by finishing ahead of both the Preakness and Kentucky Derby winners. Owned by Wathnan Racing, the colt now boasts a perfect three-for-three record with career earnings of $934,196. He was originally acquired as a yearling for $800,000 at the Keeneland September sale.
