Will the 2015 Travers Stakes Mark a Comeback for Saratoga?
Copyright: cquigley / 123RF Stock Photo
Horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner since 1978, American Pharoah, may be in the line-up for the 2015 Travers Stakes. This race, which is scheduled for August 29th in Historic Saratoga, marks the 147th running of the event. Landing a thoroughbred with the pedigree of American Pharoah would be a boon for this prestigious Grade 1 event, with a prize of $1 million.
The Travers Stakes
The Saratoga Race Course is the oldest stakes race for thoroughbreds in the United States. The race, which is currently ran at a distance of 1-¼ miles, has been in existence since 1864. Only one of the 12 triple crown winners has won the Travers Stakes in its 151-year history, which was Whirlaway in 1941.
The Travers Stakes, known as Saratoga’s midsummer derby, will set an attendance cap of 60,000, which is two-thirds that of the Belmont Stakes. This attendance cap will help racing fans enjoy the level of service they have come to expect from the Saratoga Race Course. The race is opened to 3 year-olds only, with colts and geldings carrying a load of 126 pounds and fillies carrying a racing load of 121 pounds.
What American Pharoah’s Presence Means for Saratoga
Attracting American Pharoah and the potential for him winning racing’s superfecta would help boost the popularity of this late summer event. Having a horse like American Pharoah compete and possibly win the Travers Stakes, a feat that was last performed by a Triple Crown winner 74 years ago, will help solidify the race in horse racing lore as a pre-eminent horseracing event. The potential appearance of this horse will not only renew interest in America's oldest stakes race, it will also draw attention to this event from racing fans near and far from Saratoga Springs, NY.
American Pharaoh’s owner Ahmed Zagat and trainer Bob Baffert are scheduled to showcase America Pharaoh’s racing prowess at the Haskell Invitational at the Monmouth Park racetrack located in Oceanport, New Jersey. The August 2 race will give fans the first opportunity since the Belmont to see their beloved Triple Crown horse and for Zayat and Baffert to determine the viability of a Travers Stakes appearance. All eyes will be turned to Saratoga Springs, NY, looking to see if the horse that broke a 37-year-old Triple Crown winless streak can also break the 74-year-old “superfecta” winless streak!
