Golden Tempo has already won two of the biggest races open to an American three-year-old this season, and on Saturday, 29th August, he gets the chance to add another.
The Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner heads a field of 10 for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga, where he has been installed as the 5/2 favourite.
He will start from post nine with Jose Ortiz once again riding for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
There is a fairly simple reason Golden Tempo sits at the head of the betting because he has already beaten most of the horses being asked to take him on!
From 23/1 Derby Winner to Division Leader
Golden Tempo was hardly the obvious star of the crop when he arrived at Churchill Downs in May.
Sent off at around 23/1, he came from the rear to beat Renegade by a neck in the Kentucky Derby, a result that could easily have been dismissed as a horse getting the right pace and producing one huge performance on Derby day.
The Belmont Stakes changed that. With the race again staged at Saratoga this year and run over 1¼ miles, Golden Tempo produced another powerful late run.
This time he beat Commandment by 1¼ lengths, with Renegade back in third. With two races and two wins over 1¼ miles, the Travers is well within his reach.
It also means Golden Tempo already knows Saratoga. There is no question about whether the track will suit him because he has already won one of America's Classics here.
The Travers Preparation Has Not Been Perfect
For all the positives about Golden Tempo, and there are plenty, there is one very clear reason for taking him on at 5/2.
Golden Tempo has not raced since the Belmont on June 6th. The original plan was to run in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga on August 1st, giving him a traditional local preparation for the Travers.
However, a minor illness interrupted his training and trainer Cherie DeVaux decided not to rush him back.
Instead, he has been trained directly towards Saturday, which means he will arrive at the Travers after a 12-week absence.
That said, his recent work suggests there is little reason for concern over his health, and he completed his final four-furlong breeze in 49.66 seconds at Saratoga on August 22nd, following an earlier 47.46-second workout at the track.
Even so, there is a difference between being fit at home and having had an actual race. Renegade has that advantage.
Renegade Is Coming for Him Again
There is already a very good rivalry forming between Golden Tempo and Renegade, as the two were separated by only a neck in the Kentucky Derby.
Golden Tempo came out comfortably ahead in the Belmont, but Renegade has since returned to Saratoga and won the Jim Dandy.
Todd Pletcher's colt sits immediately behind the favourite at 3/1 and has arguably had the better build-up to this race.
There is also Sea Strike at 5/1, who suddenly became a major Travers contender after winning the Curlin Stakes by 8¼ lengths.
Preakness winner Napoleon Solo is 8/1, while Haskell winner Baby Vino can hardly be dismissed at 10/1.
Post Nine Should Not Be a Major Problem
Golden Tempo has drawn post nine, which looks worse on paper than it probably is.
Past experience tells us that he is not a horse who needs to grab the lead immediately. Ortiz can allow him to settle, find a rhythm and assess what is happening inside before asking him to make his move.
The bigger question may be how quickly they go. Golden Tempo's Kentucky Derby win came after a strong pace helped the closers. The Belmont unfolded differently, yet he still managed to get the job done.
Can Golden Tempo Win the Travers?
Yes, and there is no real argument that he deserves to be favourite. Having already won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, he is proven over the Travers distance and has already won at Saratoga.
There are still enough questions to make 5/2 less than irresistible, including his recent bout of illness and the fact that he missed his intended prep race, but coming in fresh could also do him the world of good.
Renegade is in very good form. Sea Strike could still be improving quickly. Napoleon Solo and Baby Vino are already Grade 1 winners.
Golden Tempo therefore faces perhaps his toughest collective test of the season.
But if he produces the same late finish we saw at Churchill Downs and Saratoga earlier this year, the rest may once again find themselves chasing him home.
BETFRED
