The 2026 Travers Stakes is about to go down this Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, and if you thought you already had your winner picked, you need to hit the brakes. Golden Tempo, the absolute powerhouse who flawlessly cruised through the Triple Crown season, snatching up both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes? Yeah, he’s the 5-2 favorite for the legendary “Midsummer Derby.” But get this: Gene Menez, one of the sharpest horse racing minds out there, is actually telling everyone to back off the champion. Is he crazy? Or is he onto something that could flip the whole race upside down?
Why Golden Tempo Might Not Be the Lock We All Thought
Golden Tempo has been nothing short of electric this season. We saw him conquer Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, then he skipped the Preakness, got a breather, and came back fresh to dominate the Belmont Stakes. That’s a serious resume, especially with 5-2 odds. You’d think he’s practically unstoppable. But Menez, this guy sees things others don’t. He’s raising an eyebrow at Golden Tempo’s prep season performance, with third-place finishes at both the Louisiana Derby and the Risen Star Stakes. Not exactly dominant before his big wins, right? And here’s the kicker: Golden Tempo’s been dealing with a recent illness, costing him crucial training time. That’s a huge red flag for a race like the Travers. Menez isn’t just “not high” on him, he’s straight-up passing on Golden Tempo for his bets. With Renegade at 3-1, Sea Strike at 5-1, and even Napoleon Solo and The Puma at 8-1 in this 10-horse field, Menez clearly thinks there are better plays out there.
Gene Menez: The Guy Who Hits the Jackpot
Now, you might be thinking, “Who is this Menez guy to doubt a two-time big race winner?” Well, let me tell you, this isn’t some rookie making wild guesses. Gene Menez is the real deal. He spent almost 14 years as a reporter and editor at Sports Illustrated, covering every sport imaginable, including horse racing. From 2010 to 2012, he was SI’s official handicapper for the Triple Crown races, and get this: he nailed Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby back in 2010. But he’s still crushing it on horse racing’s biggest days. In 2024, he hit the late Pick 4 on Breeders’ Cup Saturday for a ridiculous $5,303 windfall. Last year? He crushed the Florida Derby (winner, trifecta, AND superfecta for $529.60) and the Blue Grass Stakes (winner and trifecta for $761.96). He even hit the late Pick 4 on Kentucky Oaks day for $915.48 and hammered the exacta and trifecta in the Kentucky Derby for a $1,045 payout. And just earlier this year, he struck big on Fountain of Youth day, hitting the late Pick 5 for a whopping $4,648. When a guy with that kind of track record tells you to rethink the favorite, you listen. Period.
The 2026 Travers Stakes, known as the “Midsummer Derby,” isn’t just another race, it’s a critical moment for Golden Tempo and a test of Menez’s legendary eye for talent. This race is even part of the new Thoroughbred Championship Series, so the stakes couldn’t be higher. All ten horses are geared up, post positions are set, and post time is locked in for 6:35 p.m. ET on Saturday. Are you with the overwhelming favorite, or are you riding with the expert who’s willing to bet against the champ? This one’s gonna be epic!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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