Sovereign Sovereign Favored in 156th $1.25M Travers Stakes at Saratoga

The 2025 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course features the heavily favored Sovereignty, a 3-year-old colt trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who has won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes this year and seeks to add the Travers to his résumé. Sovereignty, the 2-5 morning-line favorite, has proven stamina with two wins at 1 1/4 miles and is considered the best in the field by many, though some handicappers, like Michelle Yu, advise caution on betting on him at such short odds. The field also includes Strategic Focus, trained by Chad Brown, who is coming off a strong third-place finish in the Curlin Stakes and will wear blinkers for the Travers; Brown acknowledges he is taking a shot but believes the horse has untapped potential. Other contenders include Magnitude, Bracket Buster, and McAfee, though none have won a Grade 1 race, and experts generally see Sovereignty as the standout. The race offers a wide range of wagering opportunities, with some value plays suggested in other races on the Saratoga card. Overall, while Sovereignty is the favorite to win, the Travers Stakes remains a competitive and highly anticipated event.