Leading Change Upsets Kentucky Derby Champ Golden Tempo In Travers

Leading Change was leading the Travers Stakes when it really counted as he bested Preakness winner Napoleon Solo and Kentucky Derby/Belmont champion Golden Tempo

NYRA

Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes champion Golden Tempo came into the Travers Stakes at Saratoga with eyes on his own version of the Triple Crown. Ironically enough, a runner from the Brad Cox barn named Leading Change had other ideas and used a magnificent stretch run to win the $1.25 million Travers and deny the Cherie DeVaux trained Tempo a sweep of these three prestigious races for three-year-olds.

Saratoga Authors Another Upset Win And Shakes Up Three-Year-Old Division

Saratoga has long been known as the “Graveyard of Champions” as many top-flight horses have tasted defeat in up-state New York. In fact, the term “upset” was coined here when a 100-1 shot named Upset provided the mighty Man o’War with his only career loss. Secretariat and American Pharoah have also been bested at the Spa. There are different theories as to why this happens, but in addressing the here and now, Golden Tempo came into the Travers as the post-time favorite and with good reason. A win here would undoubtedly secure his spot as top three-year-old male for 2026. Interestingly enough, a lightly raced colt named Leading Change has now placed his name into the mix in Thoroughbred racing’s most publicized division.

Breaking alertly from the gates, the Brad Cox trainee settled into a stalking position while saving ground along the rail in this mile and a quarter test. Golden Tempo, meanwhile, assumed his position near the back of the field as his deep closing style has delivered huge glory in the past. Chasing Preakness winner and pace-setting Napoleon Solo through solid but not spectacular fractions (23.66 opening quarter, 47.95 half mile, 1:12.62 three quarters), Leading Change was still right there continuing to save ground. At the same time, Tempo cruised along, still far off the pace. Turning for home, jockey Manny Franco masterfully guided Leading Change off the rail and into the clear outside the still leading Napoleon. Weaving through traffic, the path was not so Golden for DeVaux’s Tempo. Hitting the gas and finding another gear, Franco urged his mount and engaged the leader. Lengthening his stride inside the sixteenth pole while looking a determined Napoleon Solo in the eye, this son of Gun Runner surged and in the shadow of the wire there was a Change in who was Leading. Going off at odds of 10-1, this afterthought won the oldest Stakes race for three-year-olds by a half-length. Napoleon Solo was second and after finally finding a clear path, Golden Tempo closed to be third.

Leading Change Demonstrates The Brilliance Of The Brad Cox Barn

For those that are not familiar, Brad Cox is one of the top conditioners in the Thoroughbred racing game and the Travers win by Leading Change is just another classic example of his dedication to the sport he loves. Depth in talent is one of the things that allows trainers to consistently win on big days. As is the case with any athlete, there will always be peaks and valleys in performance. That is one of the things that has always made the Travers a tough race to win. Traditionally scheduled for late August, the challenge for a Thoroughbred conditioner is can you keep your horse that ran well in the Spring in top form or do you have another quality player you can insert in the lineup?

For Brad Cox, the answer for the 2026 Travers was quality depth. Florida Derby winner Commandment and Blue Grass Stakes winner Further Ado were both in a little bit of a valley so the Kentucky-based Cox called on a lightly raced son of Gun Runner to represent the barn in Saratoga’s most prestigious race for three-year-olds. Of course the reason Brad Cox has a deep bench is he is very good at what he does and knows how to win on big days.

At first glance, the second-guessing commenced as Leading Change had only two career starts to his credit. Both were wins, a maiden-breaking score at seven furlongs (3/4 of a mile) at Churchill Downs on June 7, 2026 and a valiant win by a neck in the mile and a sixteenth Indiana Derby on July 11. How would Leading Change be able to knock heads against the heavyweights of the division at a mile and a quarter distance? What gave this award-winning Louisville native the reasoning to throw him into this type grade 1 event so soon?

“He has always been a fantastic work horse and is easy to be around”, says Brad Cox. “We have always thought of him as very classy and extremely talented. He is just an honest race horse and he was the one in our barn that gave us the most confidence as being in the right spot to win.”

For those who had questions, Leading Change provided the answers while finishing in front of both the Preakness and Kentucky Derby/Belmont winners. This Wathnan Racing owned colt has a record of three wins in three career starts and has career earnings of $934,196. He was originally purchased for $800,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale.