2026 Travers Stakes predictions, horses, odds, post positions: Surprising picks from elite racing expert

This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Gene Menez reveals his Travers Stakes 2026 best bets for Saturday's Midsummer Derby Aug 28, 2026 at 2:35 pm ET • 3 min read The 2026 Travers Stakes gets underway on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. The "Midsummer Derby" is one of the biggest races on the calendar each summer, and next year it will be part of the new Thoroughbred Championship Series. For this year, all eyes are on Golden Tempo as he looks to add a third signature win after taking the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes during the spring. Bet the Travers Stakes with the TwinSpires promo code CBSSPORTS and get an exclusive $400 bonus, double the regular offer:Post time is 6:35 p.m. ET. Golden Tempo is the 5-2 favorite in the 2026 Travers Stakes odds. Renegade (3-1), Sea Strike (5-1), Napoleon Solo (8-1) and The Puma (8-1) round out the top five on the odds board in the 10-horse 2026 Travers Stakes field. Before making any 2026 Travers Stakes picks, you'll want to see the 2026 Travers Stakes predictions from SportsLine's Gene Menez.A former reporter and editor at Sports Illustrated, Menez covered an array of sports, including horse racing, for the magazine and its website for almost 14 years. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as SI's handicapper for the Triple Crown races and correctly predicted Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby in 2010.Menez excels on horse racing's biggest days. In 2024 he crushed the late Pick 4 on Breeders' Cup Saturday for a $5,303 windfall. Last year he nailed the winner, trifecta and superfecta in the Florida Derby for a $529.60 score and the winner and trifecta in the Blue Grass Stakes for a $761.96 jackpot. He hit the late Pick 4 on Kentucky Oaks day for $915.48. In the Kentucky Derby, he hammered the exacta and trifecta for a $1,045 payout. And earlier this year he struck big on Fountain of Youth day, hitting the late Pick 5 for $4,648.Now, with the 2026 Travers Stakes post positions set and odds on the board, Menez is sharing his picks and predictions over at SportsLine. You can head here to see them.Top 2026 Travers Stakes predictionsOne surprise: Menez is not high on the favorite, Golden Tempo at 5-2. Golden Tempo navigated Triple Crown season flawlessly, winning the Kentucky Derby before trainer Cherie DeVaux opted to sit him for the Preakness Stakes. He was fresh for the Belmont Stakes, and pulled off the win there. He wasn't quite as strong in the prep season, however, finishing third at the Louisiana Derby and the Risen Star Stakes. Menez is also concerned about his recent illness that cost him some training opportunies, so he's going to pass on him in his Travers Stakes bets. "I realize Golden Tempo has won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but he missed his prep race for the Travers because of an illness so I can't bet him as the 5-2 favorite," Menez told SportsLine. See which 2026 Travers Stakes horses to back at SportsLine.Bet the Travers Stakes with the TwinSpires promo code CBSSPORTS and get an exclusive $400 bonus, double the regular offer:How to make 2026 Travers Stakes picksMenez's top pick is a horse who "should get the perfect trip." Menez also is high on a longshot who "has trained up a storm." He's sharing which 2026 Travers Stakes horses to back over at SportsLine.So who wins the 2026 Travers Stakes? Visit SportsLine to see Menez's picks for Travers Stakes, all from the expert who has nailed some of horse racing's biggest events. 2026 Travers Stakes odds, post positionsPost Horse OddsProjection1Emerging Market15-1SEE PICKS 2Leading Change12-1SEE PICKS 3Napoleon Solo8-1SEE PICKS 4The Puma8-1SEE PICKS 5Renegade3-1SEE PICKS 6Ocelli5-1SEE PICKS 7Sea Strike20-1SEE PICKS 8Baby Vino5-1SEE PICKS 9Golden Tempo5-2SEE PICKS 10Silent Tactic 10-1SEE PICKS