Bet on The Travers Stakes
First run in 1864, and now continuously since 1913, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course is one of the most important races on the American thoroughbred racing circuit. Held in late August, and restricted to three-year-olds, the race often includes several of the horses that earlier in the year competed against each other in the Triple Crown series. It’s a opportunity for the winner of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes or Belmont Stakes to add another major stake win to their resume, and make a strong case for champion three-year-old at year’s end.
Run at the classic American distance of 1 1/4 miles on the Saratoga dirt course, the race is rated as a Grade I event, and currently offers a purse of $1 million dollars. In addition to the
Three of the most famous horses in racing history have a significant tie to the Travers, as Whirlaway is the only Triple Crown winning horse to also capture the Travers, which is also sometimes referred to as the “Mid-summer Derby.” The last Triple Crown winner, Affirmed, had his last race in the rivalry with Alydar, the horse that had finished second in all three Triple Crown races. Once again Affirmed crossed the line first – but was disqualified to second for interference, giving Alydar the win. The legendary Man O’ War also ran his last race in winning the 1920 Travers.
In more recent history, the last Kentucky Derby winner to take the Travers was Street Sense in 2007, while 2012 saw the only dead-heat in the race’s 138-year history between Alpha and Golden Ticket. Since 1979, the race record has been held by General Assembly at 2 minutes flat. The 2013 winner, Will Take Charge has a strong case to become the only champion three-year-old in history to claim that title without a win in a Triple Crown race.
One other significant fact about the Travers is that it is the only race in history whereby a horse – namely Runaway Groom – defeated the winners of all three Triple Crown races that year, Gato Del Sol, Aloma’s Ruler, and Conquistador Cielo, which happened in 1982.
All racing fans deserve an opportunity to get to Saratoga for summer racing at least once. But even if you can’t get to the track, the Travers is definitely one race that should be included in your yearly handicapping schedule.
Travers Stakes Betting Odds
Coming off a single minor stakes win, and facing such rivals as Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist and Haskell Invitational (G1) winner Bayern, few handicappers paid much attention to V.E. Day, who broke from the gate at odds of 20-1. When he powered through to win by a nose, those that did back him celebrated a Win payout of $41.00 on a $2 bet, and keyed a huge $537 payout on a $2 trifecta! Racing fans can look for these kind of longshot upsets at Bovada racebook, our top-rated choice for online horse wagering.
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2024 Travers Stakes Contenders
The Travers Stakes, often referred to as the "Mid-Summer Derby," is set to take place on Saturday, August 24th, and promises to be a thrilling race with a competitive field. Leading the odds is Sierra Leone, a formidable contender with +400 odds. Known for its impressive track record and consistent performance, Sierra Leone is expected to put up a strong fight, showcasing its speed and endurance over the course of the race. As the favorite, this horse will attract significant attention from bettors and racing enthusiasts alike, all eager to see if it can live up to the high expectations.
Close on Sierra Leone’s heels are Muth and Mindframe, both listed at +700. These two horses have shown remarkable potential and resilience, making them strong candidates for an upset. City of Troy and Parenting, with odds of +810 and +800 respectively, are also in the mix, each bringing unique strengths and strategies to the race. Fierceness, with +950 odds, along with Dornoch at +1000 and Tuscan Sky at +1200, round out the field. While they might be considered underdogs, the unpredictable nature of horse racing means any of these contenders could emerge victorious. The Travers Stakes is shaping up to be a dynamic and closely contested race, where strategy, skill, and a bit of luck will determine the winner.
- Sierra Leone +400
- Muth +700
- Mindframe +700
- City of Troy +810
- Parenting +800
- Fierceness +950
- Dornoch +1000
- Tuscan Sky +1200
