Arcangelo takes last year’s edition of the Travers (NYRA/Coglianese)
By Eddie C
Saratoga kicked off Summer horse racing with the Belmont Stakes Festival earlier this year. It was the first time hosting the historic event. It was a fantastic week, with great crowds. The track and city of Saratoga put on a show. It was well received by all in attendance and those watching from afar. No real surprise as Saratoga gets it. The old-time charm of the historic town and venue were on display, and they not only didn’t disappoint, they did what they always do. They were just Saratoga, welcoming all that came saying, “Enjoy the Show”.
Well, they get to do it again this week with the “Mid Summer Derby”, the 155th running of The Travers Stakes. And there is additional significance to this year’s Travers Stakes.
You’ve got the Florida Derby and Jim Dandy winner in Fierceness; The Belmont Stakes and Haskell winner in Dornoch; G2 winner and placed Honor Marie; Ohio Derby winner Batten Down; Sir Barton winner and Curlin runner up in Corporate Power; Curlin winner Unmatched Wisdom; Risen Star, Blue Grass winner and Kentucky Derby runner up in Sierra Leone;
And, the “Grizzly Bear”, Filly Thorpedo Anna, attempting to become the first filly to win the Travers Stakes since 1915. And a Hall of Fame list of Trainers. A very strong and deep field of 3-year-olds.
As sports fans, each year we start off with the Super Bowl. Then comes March Madness, followed by Opening Day for Baseball, a time held tradition.
Next comes one of my favorite weeks of the year, The Masters. And that leads to another great week, the first Saturday in May, The Kentucky Derby. Opening weekend of College and NFL football lead into the Breeders Cup to round out iconic annual events.
But in between them, we have the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. It’s hard to put into words what it means to me and so many horse racing fans across the land, but I’ll give it a try.
I fell in love with the Saratoga, Lake George, and the Adirondacks back in 1997. As for racing, the old-time charm, the atmosphere of Saratoga Race Course, and watching Silverbulletday win the 1999 Alabama was special. The crowd and clubhouse patrons standing up and giving her an ovation coming back to the winner’s circle was more than magical.
The chance of going to the backside to see the horses work out in the mornings, leaning on the railing of Claire Court as horses gallop along the deep and sandy dirt track to stretch their legs. Going across the street to The Horseshoe for breakfast and mingling with other racegoers, its what Saratoga is all about. And if you prefer you can stroll downtown Broadway and grab breakfast or an early lunch at Druthers, Olde Bryan Inn. Dinner after the races you have plenty of options. Downtown Saratoga has all sorts of great places. But if you want to venture out 10-15 minutes, Nove, Wishing Well and Chez Pierre are all wonderful and worth the short drive.
There is always something to do that will you reflect back and think, “Wow, this place is special, all of it”.
Over the years, the Travers has had its share of magical moments and heartbreak moments. Whirlaway is the only Triple Crown winner to win the Travers and that happened back in 1941. American Pharoah came close in 2015 but just missed and ran 2nd. Saratoga is known for making champions, but is also known as the “Graveyard of Champions”.
The Travers is the oldest 3-year-old Stakes race in the country. Older than the Belmont’s Stakes by 3 years. William Travers’ horse, aptly named Kentucky, won the first Travers Stakes in 1864.
Since then, in a race dominated by Colts, 7 Fillies have won the Travers Stakes, but none since 1915. Since then, only 4 fillies have run in the Travers: Cicada in 1961; Chris Evert in 1974; Davona Dale in 1979; and Wonder Gadot in 2018. None won, with Chris Evert having the best showing, finishing 3rd.
This year, the Travers could be a special back-to-back celebration for the Ladies. Last year Jena Antonucci became the 2nd female trainer to ever win the Travers Stakes with Arcangelo. And Jena did this just after becoming the first female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes earlier in the year, with Archangelo. You could call it the Dream Daily Double.
This year, trainer Kenny McPeek is bringing his filly, Thorpedo Anna to run against the boys. And she has a good chance at winning. Out of 7 previous races she has 6 wins and 1 2nd place finish. I was fortunate to interview Kenny Belmont week, and when asked about her, He talked like a proud Papa.
The Travers is filled with Champion Colts. Dornoch, Fierceness, Sierra Leone, and others. It should be a great race, and I hope they all come home safe.
And for me, it’s the love and history of the event, of the pageantry of the week.
It’s Saratoga. It’s The Travers Stakes. It’s The Mid-Summer Derby.
The Super Bowl has the Vince Lombardi trophy.
The NHL has Lord Stanley’s Cup.
The Masters has the Green Jacket.
The Kentucky Derby has the Roses.
This Saturday, August 24th, a horse and their connections will win the 155th running of the Travers Stakes. And they also win the iconic “Canoe”. Painted in their colors for the next year.
What a cool tradition and what great prize.
Eddie C
@notebookpicks on X (formerly Twitter)
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