Saratoga ‘Graveyard of Champions’ Claims Golden Tempo in Travers Upset

Saratoga Race Course reinforced its reputation as the “Graveyard of Champions” on Saturday, as Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo suffered a surprising defeat in the 157th running of the Travers Stakes. The heavily favored colt could only manage a third-place finish, continuing the track’s storied history of upsets.

The race was won by Leading Change, a Brad Cox-trained horse making just his third career start. Jockey Manny Franco guided Leading Change to a half-length victory after stalking the pace set by Napoleon Solo. The early fractions were slow, a dynamic that Golden Tempo’s trainer, Cherie DeVaux, suggested worked against her horse’s preferred running style. Golden Tempo, known for his late runs during the Triple Crown season, lingered at the back of the pack but could not close the gap in time.

Jockey Jose Ortiz offered no excuses for the performance, noting that the colt responded well when asked to run but simply fell short against the field. The loss marked a disappointing return for Golden Tempo, who had been idle since his Belmont Stakes victory in early June. Despite the defeat, DeVaux reported that the horse returned to the barn in good physical condition.

This result adds to a legacy of high-profile defeats at Saratoga, notably echoing the 2015 Travers where Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was defeated by Keen Ice. The integrity and unpredictability of the sport continue to drive engagement at major venues like Saratoga, which are key assets for operators in the racing and gaming sectors.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) is a primary operator in the horse racing industry, managing live racing venues and wagering platforms. The company’s stock was recently trading at $89.90, up approximately 3.39% from the previous close, giving it a market capitalization of roughly $6.52 billion.

What to watch

• Future race entries and scheduling for Golden Tempo following the layoff and defeat.
• Upcoming quarterly earnings reports from major racing venue operators.
• Handle and attendance figures from the Travers Stakes card for market demand indicators.

Source: original release