Travers Stakes 2026 Video Analysis

 Video analysis of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga (8-29-26). 

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Travers Stakes 2026 Video Preview (8-22-26)

The Travers is less than a week away and here is my latest video preview.

Travers Stakes hopefuls (as of 8-22-26): Baby Vino, Emerging Market, Golden Tempo, Leading Change, Napoleon Solo, Ocelli, Renegade, Sea Strike, Silent Tactic, The Puma.

Travers Stakes 2026 Preview

In this horse racing article and video, I preview the Grade 1 Travers Stakes.

The Grade 1 Travers will be held at Saratoga Race Course on 8-29-26, and it is for 3-year-olds traveling 1 1/4 miles on the main track.

Travers Stakes hopefuls (as of 8-16-26): Baby Vino, Commandment, Emerging Market, Golden Tempo, Leading Change, Napoleon Solo, Ocelli, Renegade, Sea Strike, Silent Tactic, The Puma. 

Latest Workouts:

Baby Vino – 3 works since winning the G1 Haskell in the slop. Latest move: 5f in 1:00.40 (2/8) at MTH on Aug. 15.

Commandment – Has not had a published work since finishing 2nd in the G2 Jim Dandy on Aug. 1.

Emerging Market – Clearly second best as the beaten favorite vs. older rivals at 9f at SAR July 25 (OC-80k/2x). Wide closing trip from outside post. 2 works at SAR since his last outing including a 4f breeze in 48.75 (17/54) on Aug. 15.

Golden Tempo – Got sick after the Belmont and missed an intended start in the Jim Dandy. 5 works overall and 4 moves at SAR since the Belmont including a 4f bullet in 47.46 (1/67) on Aug. 15. Out 5f in 1:00.25. 

Leading Change – 2-for-2 for Brad Cox including a stakes win in the G3 Indiana Derby July 11. 4 works at CD since the Indiana Derby including a 5f breeze in 1:00.20 (8/44) on Aug. 15. 

Napoleon Solo – G1 Preakness winner and G1 Haskell runner-up has worked twice at SAR since his last start including a 5f bullet in 58.81 (1/7) on Aug. 12. Final 1/4 in 23.24 and out 6f in 1:11.66, 7f in 1:24.44, and one mile in 1:37.94. John Velazquez was up for the impressive work. He will run next in the Travers or PA Derby.

Ocelli – The maiden did not handle a wet track in the Haskell. He has breezed 3 times at SAR since his last start including a 4f work in 48.80 (24/64) on Aug. 15. In company with stakes winning sprinter Bring the Smoke. Out 6f in 1:14 and 7f in 1:27.70.

Renegade – G2 Jim Dandy winner got back to work with a 4f breeze in 50.66 (99/114) at SAR on Aug. 14. Worked in company with Aug. 1 SAR dirt route winner Sassmaster. Galloped out 5f in 1:03.57. This was just a leg-stretching move 13-days after the Jim Dandy and he showed nice energy and has seemingly bounced out of his last start in good order.

Sea Strike – Nice win vs. restricted stakes foes in the 9f Curlin at SAR on Aug. 2. Got back on the worktab with a 4f move in 47.63 (3/64) at SAR Aug. 15. Out 5f in 1:00.55 and 6f in 1:13.31. Flavien Prat will ride him in the Travers.

Silent Tactic – Jim Dandy show finisher has not returned to the worktab since his last start on Aug. 1.

The Puma – Did not seem to care for the wet track when finishing 4th in the Haskell. Two works at SAR since his last start including a strong 5f bullet in 59.80 (1/10) on Aug. 14. He breezed under his rider Javier Castellano and got his final 1/4 in 23.89. He was out 6f in 1:12.56, 7f in 1:25.38, and a mile in 1:38.91.

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Haskell Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-18-26)

The Grade 1 Haskell Stakes headlines the big 14-race Saturday card at Monmouth Park, bringing together a competitive field of seven 3-year-olds for a $1 million prize. Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Haskell has long served as one of the premier summer tests for sophomores, and this year’s edition features several accomplished stakes winners.

With the possibility of rain in the forecast, wet-track pedigrees could become an important handicapping factor. Here’s a horse-by-horse look at the field.

Pace Outlook

Napoleon Solo appears to have the tactical advantage and could control the tempo if left alone on the front end. Further Ado and Iron Honor are expected to settle just behind the leader, while Baby Vino should also be prominent early.

The Puma and Ocelli will likely make their runs from farther back, but without a contested early pace, they may have too much ground to make up in the stretch.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Star Sweeper (30-1)

Star Sweeper faces a difficult assignment after finishing last in the Pegasus Stakes, the local prep for the Haskell. Although he previously earned a stronger speed figure in the Long Branch Stakes, his best efforts still fall short of what will likely be required to win this race.

He will need dramatic improvement against much tougher competition.

#2 Further Ado (2-1)

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Further Ado enters as the morning line favorite.

His speed figures have alternated between standout performances and more modest efforts throughout his career. His dominant victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes demonstrated his top-end ability, while his most recent win in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes confirmed that he remains in excellent form.

The question is consistency. If he reproduces one of his best races, he is certainly capable of winning.

His pedigree also indicates he should handle a wet surface.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Haskell Stakes 2026 Video Update

Video preview of the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse. 

Haskell Stakes 2026 Preview

Video preview of the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse. 

Preakness Stakes 2026 Video Recap

In this horse racing video, I recap the 2026 Preakness Stakes. 

The 151st Preakness Stakes was held at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

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Preakness Stakes 2026 Analysis at Laurel Park

The 2026 Preakness Stakes takes place at Laurel Park this year while Pimlico undergoes construction, and this year’s edition shapes up as a fascinating pace and trip handicap. Using the numbers and pace figures from the Digest past performances, I’m looking for the horses most likely to capitalize on what should be an aggressive early pace.

This is my hometown race, and I’ve been following the Preakness since 1980. I’ve covered full Preakness Day cards online since the 1990s, and this race often rewards horses that can adapt to pace pressure while still finishing strongly in the final furlong.

Pace Makes the Race

This year’s Preakness projects to feature a contested early pace with several runners preferring to race forwardly placed. That dynamic could dramatically influence the outcome.

Horse	Running Style	Key Figure
Taj Mahal	Front Runner	152 Pace Rating
Napoleon Solo	Speed	180 Pace Rating
Pretty Boy Miah	Forwardly Placed	Back-to-back 143 FTRs
Chip Honcho	Pressing Style	132 Final Time Rating
Incredibolt	Closer	152 Final Time Rating

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

1 – Taj Mahal (5-1)

Taj Mahal improved his Digest numbers in each career start and earned a strong 149 Final Time Rating winning the Tesio Stakes. He blasted out to the early lead despite an outside draw, slowed the pace in the middle stages, and then kicked away again.

From the rail, he figures to go forward again, but unlike the Tesio, he probably won’t get away with relaxing through soft interior fractions. With other speed signed on, the pace pressure should be significantly tougher this time.

2 – Ocelli (6-1)

Ocelli is still a maiden after seven starts, but he outran massive odds in the Kentucky Derby when finishing third at 70-1. He rallied effectively into a collapsing pace and briefly threatened in the stretch before flattening late.

The projected setup helps him again because multiple pace horses should ensure legitimate fractions. The concern is whether he can reproduce that Derby effort while still seeking his first win.

Bettor’s Edge

Closers become far more dangerous in Triple Crown races when several speed horses are committed early. Identifying the likely pace flow is often more important than simply comparing final speed figures.

3 – Crupper (30-1)

Crupper wired the Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn and secured his spot here with that victory. His 134 Final Time Rating was respectable, but his 117 Pace Rating suggests he benefited from softer early fractions than he’ll likely encounter in this race.

To stay involved here, he’ll need to show significantly more speed in the opening stages.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Fountain of Youth Stakes 2026 Analysis (2-28-26)

The Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park is one of the most important early-season tests on the Road to Kentucky Derby 2026. Run at 1 1/16 miles for three-year-olds, this $425,000 event offers valuable Derby points and serves as a key stepping stone toward longer and tougher assignments this spring.

Race Overview

• Race: Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes
• Track: Gulfstream Park
• Distance: 1 1/16 miles
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $425,000
• Post Time: 6:11 p.m. ET
• Eligibility: 3-year-olds
• Kentucky Derby Points Race: Yes

Past performance data is powered by Today’s Racing Digest. If you’re playing the full card, you can find detailed analysis and data in the Complete Digest for Gulfstream Park.

Pace & Race Shape

There is legitimate early speed in this field:

• Napoleon Solo – Fast juvenile with early gas
• Solitude Dude – Perfect in three one-turn starts, wired the Swale
• Jackson Hole – Tactical speed from the rail
• Commandment – Versatile, forwardly placed runner

The presence of multiple pace players suggests an honest tempo. The key question: will someone get loose, or does a stalker sitting just off the lead get first run turning for home?

Read more at Today's Racing Digest