Saratoga Race Course has races throughout the year and is one of the oldest tracks in the country. Its unique challenging track made it popular and is a dream of every owner, trainer, and jockey to win a race on the track. On this track every year a major equestrian event takes place for which the participants prepare rigorously and equestrian fans wait eagerly.

It is the Grade 1 $1.25 million Travers Stakes which is also known as the Midsummer Derby. The 154th edition of the race is set to take place on the 26th of this month. Due to its position in the calendar of races, it is one of the biggest summer races. It is considered a link between Triple Crown races and the Breeder’s Cup. This year the race is set to be competitive with the participation of big and talented names.

Equestrian midsummer race: Travers Stakes

According to Forbes this year the one-and-one-quarter-mile Travers Stakes is set to have a unique participation which rarely happens at the race. The winners of all three triple crown races Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes are taking part in the race – Mage, National Treasure, and Arcangelo. There are horses trained by famed trainers of the equestrian industry but one trainer Todd Pletcher has two horses taking part in this prestigious race – Forte and Tapit Trice.

The seven-horse race field is led by Forte with odds of 7-5. Trained by Todd Pletcher and Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. Forte was the winner of Jim Dandy last month. He is set to give tough competition to the Triple Crown winners after showing a best of winning three of four starts this year. Second, comes the winner of Belmont Arcangelo who has not raced after it and is preparing for this event under the guidance of his trainer Jena Antonucci. He will be jockeyed by six-time Travers winner Javier Castellano. In third place, comes Todd’s trained horse Tapit Trice who finished second at the Belmont Stakes.

Next at fourth comes the Kentucky Derby winner Mage with 4-1 odds. Gustavo Delgado trained Mage has not won after the Derby win, placing second and third in both races he took part in. Then at fifth comes the Preakness Stakes winner National Treasure with 9-1 odds. After him comes Steve Asmussen trained Disarm who finished fourth in both Kentucky Derby and Jim Dandy. At the last comes Bill Mott trained late bloomer Scotland who won the Curlin Stakes last month. Looking at the form and wins of the participating horses this year Travers will be successful in carrying the legacy of the event by showing an energetic and competitive race to the spectators.

History of Travers Stakes

Travers Stakes was named after one of the founders of the country’s oldest racecourse William R. Travers to honor his valuable service to the equestrian sports. The first race was held in 1864 where Mr. Travers’s horse Kentucky won the race. But soon it became famous as a race for three-year-old horses. Earlier the race was 1 mile which was changed to 1.12 miles in 1901 and was changed to the present distance of 1 1/4 miles in 1904. Since then the race is making history with competitive races every year.

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The trophy of the race is designed by Tiffany & Co. and is called the Man O’ War Cup. The was donated by a person named Mr. Riddle and to date the trophy is presented by a member of Mr. Riddle’s family. The Travers Stakes has a long and celebrated history which is valued and respected even today. The race has its prestige intact with the formidable show of talent to entertain the spectators.

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