The DraftKings Travers Stakes takes place this Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, and if you’re planning on attending New York’s biggest summer racing day, here are ten things you should know in advance.
1. The Travers is also known as the “Mid-Summer Derby”
Why is the Travers called the Mid-Summer Derby? There are several reasons: The Travers is only open to three-year-old thoroughbreds, which is what makes it a derby. And the race draws such an incredible field that you’ll see some of the stars of the Triple Crown season on Saturday in Saratoga. Celebrities like Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch And Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve Second Sierra Leone are in the 155th this year.th Travers, and the race has additional significance this year as star mare Thorpedo Anna will compete and try to become the first woman since 1915 (!) to win the Travers.
2. Reserve your Travers tickets in advance and save!
Fans who purchase their Travers day tickets in advance will save money! General admission tickets are $25 in advance, while the price on Travers day is $30. Tickets can be purchased in person at the NYRA box office at Gate A if you are already in Saratoga, or online at NYRA.com/Travers.
3. Find out everything about the big race.
So you’ve already learned that only 3-year-old thoroughbreds can run in the Travers; here’s what else you need to know. The purse for the Travers is $1.25 million, which is divided as follows: $687,500 for the owner of the winner, $250,000 for second, $150,000 for third, $75,000 for fourth, $50,000 for fifth and $37,500 for the remaining horses. The Travers is a 1 ¼-mile dirt race, meaning that runners start and finish the race in front of the racecourse’s grandstand, giving fans unparalleled views of the action. If you want to learn more about the runners in this year’s race, be sure to check out our Travers Stakes cheat sheet.
4. Travers Day is one of the most important racing days of the year.
If you fancy horse racing at the highest level, there is good news: Travers day is going to be fantastic. As well as the Travers Stakes, there are four other major races, including two where the winners can win places in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar on 1 November-2These races are the 750,000 US dollars Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Bets (Entry into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf) and the 500,000 US dollars Ballerina handicap (PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint). Basically, the Travers Day is a mini-The Breeders’ Cup and some of the best thoroughbreds in the world will appear in Saratoga this Saturday.
5. A boat is involved.
Since 1961, the canoe that floats in the Saratoga infield pond has been colored in the silk jerseys of the Travers Stakes winners. (Silk jerseys, to clarify, are the jerseys that jockeys wear in every race; each racehorse owner has their own set of colors and designs that are exclusive to them.) In 2012, two canoes were used in the infield pond: that was because the Travers that year was neck-and-neck for first place, with Alpha and Golden Ticket sharing the win.
6. Fancy a picnic table? Set an alarm, bring a newspaper and relax.
Travers Day is the biggest day of the year in Saratoga, so if you want to snag a free picnic table, you’re going to have to put in a little effort. First, get in line early, as some people even camp outside the gates overnight. Saratoga has an ironclad tradition: Any trackside picnic table or bench with a newspaper on it is reserved for the day, and fans want to secure a good Travers Day spot by securing their seats as soon as the gates open at 7 a.m. on Travers Day for morning practice. When those gates open, it’s a race for the best spot, so you might want to start stretching around 6:45 a.m. But remember: The newspaper is sacred. Never move someone else’s newspaper. You don’t want to put that much bad luck on your Travers Day bets.
7. If you love upset victories, the Travers Stakes is for you.
Making big profits with small stakes is the best thing in my opinion and the Travers is the perfect opportunity to do just that. From 1901-2023only 52 Favorites in 118 Fields have won – and Only since 2010Underdogs have done well: for a $2 win stake, 2014 VE Day winner returned $41, 2015 winner Keen Ice paid $34 when he defeated Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, 2012 dead heat co-winner Golden Ticket returned $26.80, and 2016 winner Arrogate paid backers $25.40 while setting a track record for 1 ¼ miles. Not a bad ROI on a $2 win!
8. Javier Castellano is the most successful Travers jockey in history.
If you have no idea who to take in the Travers, just take the jockey that Javi rides. Why? No jockey has ever won more Mid-Summer Derbies than Javier Castellano: He has seven victories in this historic race, including the aforementioned upset win of Keen Ice in 2015. His last victory came last year on Arcangelo. This year Castellano is riding Corporate Power.
9. On Travers day we start a little earlier than usual.
Unlike other race days at Saratoga, the day at Travers starts early. As mentioned above, gates open at 7 a.m. and the first start time for the first race of the day is 11:40 a.m.
10. Discover a variety of dining and entertainment options in picturesque Saratoga Springs.
Fans in town for Travers weekend will have no shortage of options for where to eat and what to do before or after the races. The city is bustling with activity throughout the Saratoga Summer Meet and especially during Travers week. Check out our current restaurant, bar/brewery and breakfast guides for recommendations for your visit to this scenic horse racing mecca.
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