America’s Best Racing editor Patrick Reed presents key takeaways from the DraftKings Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and results from several other notable races across the country on Saturday.

Franco and Leading Change in the winner's circle. (Anne M. Eberhardt/BloodHorse)

A New Star Shines: Leading Change came into the Travers Stakes as the only undefeated colt among 10 starters – but he had only raced twice, posting an eye-catching maiden win sprinting at Churchill Downs in June followed by a hard-fought neck victory in his two-turn debut in the Indiana Derby July 11 when he defeated only five runners. Leading Change stepped into much, much deeper waters against a Travers field led by Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets winner Golden Tempo.

Consider the class test aced by Leading Change. Under a flawless ride from sizzling-hot jockey Manny Franco, he ran down the game pacesetter, Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo, to prevail by a half-length. Golden Tempo was back in third. Leading Change became the second Travers winner for both Franco (Tiz the Law, 2020) and trainer Brad Cox (Essential Quality, 2021).

“When (Leading Change) switched out (in the stretch), he just stayed on and he showed he’s a true mile-and-a-quarter horse, which we’ve always thought,” Cox told NYRA’s Acacia Clement in the Saratoga winner’s circle. His 10-1 Travers upset loosens Golden Tempo’s hold atop the 3-year-old division heading into the fall season, with the Sept. 19 Pennsylvania Derby the only significant stakes race remaining for this age group.

Not Enough Tempo: Derby and Belmont winner Golden Tempo made a strong stretch run from his customary rear-guard position but stalled out late when closing into moderate fractions and finished 2 ¼ lengths behind Leading Change in third. He had missed a planned prep race for the Travers in the Aug. 1 Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun with a minor illness but had been working well in recent weeks for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

“Jose (Ortiz) said he had a big run but he just got a little shy when he was coming up between horses, it stopped his momentum a bit,” DeVaux told David Grening of Daily Racing Form. “But I’m really proud of how he ran and he came back in great shape and that’s what’s most important.”

Golden Tempo failed in his bid to become the second 3-year-old in a row to win the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers Stakes after Sovereignty did so last year, but his credentials as a two-time classic winner should carry heavy weight in Eclipse Award voters’ minds when assessing the 3-year-old division at the end of the year. It’s far too soon to speculate which Travers contenders will point to the Oct. 31 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic and attempt to defeat an outstanding group of older horses including Sovereignty, but it should be noted that Golden Tempo’s training base is at Keeneland, the host track for this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

A happy Jose Ortiz aboard Englishman. (Eclipse Sportswire)

England’s Glory: Golden Tempo’s stablemate Englishman added to his reputation as one of the best 3-year-olds in training by rolling to an easy 3 ¾-length win in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes earlier on the Travers card. The Maxfield colt was last seen June 6 equaling a Saratoga track record for seven furlongs in 1:20.40 when posting a 5 ¾-length win in the Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun. In the Jerkens, Englishman rushed out of the gate, set the pace, shook off a mild bid from runner-up Deep Flame at the top of the stretch, and won under a hand ride by Jose Ortiz to clock seven furlongs in 1:20.71.

Cherie DeVaux has succeeded this year by patiently managing the campaigns of both Englishman and Golden Tempo. After Englishman’s win Saturday, the trainer did not commit to giving him a final prep prior to a potential start in the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint Oct. 31 at Keeneland. Training up to the six-furlong BC Sprint would give Englishman a layoff similar to his break of over two months between the Woody Stephens and the Allen Jerkens Stakes.

Iron Man Cal speeds to victory. (BENOIT photo)

‘Cal’ Changes the Narrative: Iron Man Cal was somewhat of a wild card contender in a competitive edition of the Pat O’Brien Stakes Saturday at Del Mar. He made nine starts on turf to begin his career but was moved to dirt for the July 18 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar and ran an encouraging third behind Journalism in the 1 1/16-mile race. The gelding was shortened back to seven furlongs for his second dirt start, and after having a shoe repaired right before the race, he won the Pat O’Brien in front-running fashion by a half-length over Moonlight with Joel Rosario riding for the first time.

“He just worked so well in the morning on the dirt that it was just a no-brainer where he was in his career to take a chance like we did in the San Diego,” said Gary Fenton of co-owner Little Red Feather Racing to FanDuel TV’s Mike Joyce. “It paid off then and it certainly paid off now.”

Trained by Phil D’Amato, Iron Man Cal earned a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Oct. 31 at Keeneland, which will be contested around two turns.

Opening-Drive TD: Russell Wilson made a big splash in pro football by starting every game at quarterback his rookie season for the Seattle Seahawks back in 2012 and then leading them to a Super Bowl victory after the 2013 season. Now, he’s off to a great start as a horse owner, as well, with a 1-for-1 record. Club Reign, a 2-year-old colt co-owned by Wilson’s Three Brand Racing and trained by Whit Beckman, shot clear in the stretch to win the opening race on Saturday’s Travers card by six lengths under jockey Edgard Zayas.

Wilson and his wife, Grammy Award-winning singer Ciara, along with their children were part of a jubilant winner’s circle celebration at the Spa. “To win Travers Day, to win at Saratoga, first race out, it feels like Rookie of the Year – it’s a blessing for sure,” said Wilson, who retired from the NFL earlier this year after 14 seasons under center.