What Is The Saratoga Travers Stakes? – Travers Day At Saratoga

Living in the Saratoga/Albany Area all of my life, I've often heard 'local' people comment that they really don't know what the Travers Stakes is all about. Sure we all know traffic will be backed up, it's the busiest day at the track, and downtown Saratoga will be bustling all week.  But why is the race so special?

After a little research, I'd like to share some facts about the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. According to NYRA, The Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course is also known as “The Mid-Summer Derby,” the oldest stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbreds in the United States, and the highlight of the Saratoga meeting. The race is named for the first president of Saratoga Race Course, Mr. William R. Travers, who won its inaugural running in 1864 with a horse called Kentucky. Almost immediately, the Travers became a prestigious event, as word spread that the race was designed for only extraordinary three-year-old horses. The 2013 running will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2013.

Click for more on the Travers Stakes Race.

Watch the 2011 Travers Stakes Race