WHY MID-SUMMER DERBY ? A couple of reasons: the Travers is restricted to 3-year-old Thoroughbreds, which is what defines a Derby.
Also, because the race attracts such an incredible field, you’ll be seeing some of the stars of Triple Crown season at Saratoga on Saturday.
THE MORE YOU KNOW. So, you already learned that only 3-year-old Thoroughbreds can run in the Travers; here’s some more useful information; The Travers purse is $1.25 million dollars, which is divided up thusly: $687,500 to the owner of the Winner, $250,000 to 2nd place, $150,000 to 3rd, $75,000 to 4th, $50,000 to the 5th-place finisher, and $37,500 divided up among the remaining horses.
The Travers is a 1 ¼-mile dirt race, meaning the runners will both start and finish the race in front of the track’s grandstand, affording fans unparalleled views of the action.
TRAVERS DAY IS A BIG DEAL. If you’re in the mood for top-level horse racing, great news: Travers Day is amazing. That’s because – in addition to the Travers Stakes – there are four other huge races, including two that will earn their Winners expenses-paid spots in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park.
Those races are the $750,000 Sword Dancer Stakes (entry to the BC Turf), and the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes (BC Filly and Mare Sprint). Basically, Travers day is a mini–Breeders’ Cup and some of the best Thoroughbreds in the world will show up in Saratoga this Saturday.
THERE’S A BOAT INVOLVED. Since 1961, the canoe floating in the Saratoga infield pond has sported the colors of the Travers Stakes Winner’s silks.
In 2012, two canoes were deployed to the infield pond: that’s because that year’s Travers had a dead heat for first with ALPHA and GOLDEN TICKET tying for Victory.
UPSETS ABOUND. Daily Racing Blog feels that betting small to Win big is the absolute best and the Travers is the perfect chance to do just that.
From 1901-2022, only 52 favorites in 118 fields have Won – and just since 2010, longshots have fared well- for a $2 Win wager; 2014 Winner V.E. DAY returned $41, 2015 Victor KEEN ICE paid $34, 2012’s dead-heat co-Winner GOLDEN TICKET returned $26.80, and 2016 Winner ARROGATE paid his backers $25.40 while in the process of setting a track record for 1 ¼ miles.
Not a bad ROI history on a $2 swing on Travers Day!
YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WITH JJ. If you have no idea who to play in the Travers, just go with whoever Javi’s riding. Why? No jockey has Won more Mid-Summer Derbys than Javier Castellano: he’s notched six Wins in the historic race.
His most recent Win came aboard CATHOLIC BOY in the 2018 Travers. This year Castellano is up on Belmont Stakes Winner ARCANGELO.
RIDER’S UP EARLIER. Unlike other Saratoga race days, Travers Day starts early.
Gates open at 7 a.m. while first post time for the first race of the day will be 11:40 a.m.
