Saratoga Race Course once again lived up to its moniker- the Graveyard of Champions on Saturday.

LEADING CHANGE came into the Travers Stakes as the only undefeated colt among 10 starters – but he had only raced twice; he posted an impressive Maiden win sprinting at Churchill Downs in June followed by a hard-fought narrow victory in his two-turn debut in the Indiana Derby July 11th when he defeated only five runners.

LEADING CHANGE dove into the deep end against a Travers field led by Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner GOLDEN TEMPO.

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 while finishing 3rd.

Moving up in class, LEADING CHANGE graduated with honors. Under a flawless ride from red-hot Manny Franco, he ran down the very able pacesetter, Preakness winner NAPOLEON SOLO, to prevail by a half-length.

LEADING CHANGE became the second Travers winner for both Franco (TIZ THE LAW, 2020) and trainer Brad Cox (ESSENTIAL QUALITY, 2021).

“When he 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,” said Cox after the race.

His 10-1 Travers upset loosens the hold GOLDEN TEMPO has atop the 3-year-old division heading into the fall season, with the September 19th Pennsylvania Derby the only significant Stakes race remaining for this age group.