The DraftKings Travers Stakes is coming to Saratoga Race Course this Saturday, and should you’re planning to attend New York’s greatest day of summer season racing, we have now ten issues it’s essential to know earlier than you go.
1. The Travers is often known as the “Mid-Summer time Derby”
Why is the Travers known as the Mid-Summer time Derby? Nicely, a few causes: the Travers is restricted to 3-year-old Thoroughbreds, which is what defines a Derby; additionally, as a result of the race attracts such an unimaginable area, you’ll be seeing a number of the stars of Triple Crown season at Saratoga on Saturday. Notables like Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch and Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve runner-up Sierra Leone are entered on this 12 months’s 155th Travers, and the race has added significance this 12 months as star filly Thorpedo Anna will run in an try to grow to be the primary feminine to win the Travers since 1915 (!).
2. Reserve your Travers tickets forward of time and save!
Followers who purchase their Travers day tickets upfront lower your expenses! Basic admission tickets are $25 when bought upfront, whereas the walk-up worth on Travers day is $30. Tickets could also be bought in-person on the NYRA Field Workplace by Gate A should you’re already in Saratoga, or on-line at NYRA.com/Travers.
3. Know all concerning the massive race.
So, you already realized that solely 3-year-old Thoroughbreds can run within the Travers; right here’s what else it’s essential to know. The Travers purse is $1.25 million, which is split up thusly: $687,500 to the proprietor of the winner, $250,000 to second, $150,000 to 3rd, $75,000 to fourth, $50,000 to the fifth-place finisher, and $37,500 divided up among the many remaining horses. The Travers is a 1 ¼-mile dust race, that means the runners will each begin and end the race in entrance of the observe’s grandstand, affording followers unparalleled views of the motion. If you wish to study extra concerning the runners for this 12 months’s race, remember to take a look at our Travers Stakes Cheat Sheet.
4. Travers day is among the most necessary racing days of the 12 months.
For those who’re within the temper for top-level horse racing, nice information: Travers day goes to be wonderful. That’s as a result of – along with the Travers Stakes – there are 4 different enormous races, together with two that can earn their winners expenses-paid spots within the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar on Nov. 1-2. These races are the $750,000 Resorts World On line casino Sword Dancer Stakes (entry to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf), and the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (PNC Financial institution Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Dash). Principally, Travers day is a mini-Breeders’ Cup and a number of the finest Thoroughbreds on the earth will present up in Saratoga this Saturday.
5. There’s a ship concerned.
Since 1961, the canoe floating within the Saratoga infield pond has sported the colours of the Travers Stakes winner’s silks. (Silks, for the document, are the jerseys that the jockeys put on in every race; each racehorse proprietor has their very own set with colours and designs unique to them.) In 2012, two canoes had been deployed to the infield pond: that’s as a result of that 12 months’s Travers had a useless warmth for first with Alpha and Golden Ticket tying for victory.
6. Desire a picnic desk? Set an alarm, convey a newspaper, and limber up.
Travers day is the most important day of the 12 months in Saratoga, so if you wish to rating a free picnic desk, you’re going to must do some work for it. To begin with, plan on getting in line early: some folks even camp outdoors of the gates in a single day. That’s as a result of there may be an ironclad custom in Saratoga: any picnic desk or trackside bench with a newspaper on it has been claimed for the day, and followers wish to make it possible for they snag a great spot for Travers day by claiming their seats as quickly as gates open at 9 a.m. for morning coaching on Travers day. When these gates open, it’s a race to the perfect spot, so possibly begin stretching at 7:45 a.m. or so. Simply keep in mind: the newspaper is sacred. By no means, ever transfer another person’s newspaper. You don’t wish to convey that form of unhealthy luck to your Travers day bets.
7. For those who love an upset victory, the Travers Stakes is for you.
Betting small to win massive is the very best in my guide, and the Travers is the right likelihood to just do that. From 1901-2023, solely 52 favorites in 118 fields have gained – and simply since 2010, longshots have fared properly: for a $2 win wager, 2014 winner V.E. Day returned $41, 2015 victor Eager Ice paid $34 when he defeated Triple Crown champ American Pharoah, 2012’s dead-heat co-winner Golden Ticket returned $26.80, and 2016 winner Arrogate paid his backers $25.40 whereas within the course of setting a observe document for 1 ¼ miles. Not a foul ROI on a $2 swing!
8. Javier Castellano is the winningest Travers jockey in historical past.
In case you have no concept who to play within the Travers, simply go together with whoever Javi’s driving. Why? No jockey has ever gained extra Mid-Summer time Derbys than Javier Castellano: he’s notched seven wins within the historic race, together with piloting Eager Ice to the aforementioned upset win in 2015. His most up-to-date win got here final 12 months aboard Arcangelo. This 12 months Castellano has the mount on Company Energy.
9. Issues begin just a little bit sooner than normal on Travers day.
In contrast to different Saratoga race days, Travers day begins early. As talked about above, gates open at 7 a.m.; additionally, first put up time for the primary race of the day might be 11:40 a.m.
10. Discover a wide range of eating and leisure choices in picturesque Saratoga Springs.
Followers on the town for Travers weekend may have no scarcity of choices for the place to go to dine and what to do earlier than or after the races. The city is abuzz with exercise throughout your entire Saratoga summer season meet and particularly throughout Travers week. Take a look at our current eating, bar/brewery, and breakfast spot guides for suggestions when visiting this picturesque horse racing mecca.
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