There are few bigger days on the racing calendar than Travers Day at Saratoga. Five graded stakes will be contested between some of the best runners in the country, and the crown jewel at the end, the G1 Travers, will be the true test of a champion this year.
Author: Patrick Moquin
Top Ten Travers Stakes of the 21st Century
Since the turn of the millennium, Saratoga has provided 20 runnings of the Travers Stakes, the unofficial fourth leg of the Triple Crown and final classic test for three-year-olds. Some renditions have reaffirmed the stars of the Triple Crown trail, while others have established new runners as the ones to beat as the season wears on. Champions have been crowned, rising stars have shone and disappointed, and massive upsets have turned the racing world on its head.
Every now and again, it’s important to look back on the history of the sport in order to appreciate events to come. On the eve of the 2020 Travers, let’s look back on the 10 greatest Travers Stakes of the last 20 years.
Saratoga Analysis: Friday, August 7, 2020
Happy Travers Eve! In addition to the G2 Saratoga Special, this is actually a very solid Saratoga card featuring a lot of deep races. It’s an excellent warmup for what should be a heaving betting day tomorrow.
Saratoga Analysis: Thursday, August 6, 2020
There have definitely been more compelling cards than this one at Saratoga this meet, but under the right conditions, this wouldn’t be the waste of time it appears to be now.
Saratoga Analysis: Wednesday, August 5, 2020
At three in the morning today, I was quietly mulling over some Travers news stories, when I noticed that TVG was airing Japanese horse racing. It was the only broadcast on at that time, and I noticed one quirk that I can’t really explain fully; the terminology they use to analyze the sport is completely different from what we use.
Saratoga Analysis: Sunday, August 2, 2020
This is a bit of a cooldown day at Saratoga after a very competitive card yesterday. However, the day does pick up after a few drab races early on, which should give people reason to tune in, assuming the rain holds out.
Handicapping Roundtable: Whitney Day w/ Niko Konstantellis and Lucas Ludgate
It’s Whitney Day at Saratoga, and that means that some of the best horses in each division will travel upstate and run in some of the most competitive races of the year. It’s the second most popular day at Saratoga all summer, one where early Breeders’ Cup favorites will be established and new challengers may appear. Most importantly, it’s a day where even casual horse racing fans can tune in to watch.
As I perused the graded stakes for today’s card, a day featuring stars of the sport such as Midnight Bisou, Tom’s D’Etat and No Parole, I realized that I could use a second opinion myself. In what may become a recurring segment, I’m being joined today by two guest handicappers, Lucas Ludgate and Niko Konstantellis, to look over these top notch stakes with me.
Saratoga Analysis: Saturday, August 1, 2020
Handicappers live for days like this one. Whitney Day at Saratoga is one of the most popular days in the horse racing calendar every year, and along with Travers and Woodward Day, is one of the Crown Jewels of the Saratoga meet. Some of the fastest horses in the country will square off today in several different divisions, and the only regret a horseplayer could have is that they’re not allowed to attend. Let’s try our best to enjoy it from home.
Saratoga Analysis: Friday, July 31, 2020
Consider this card the calm before the storm. Tomorrow will be the best day of racing at Saratoga thus far this meet, but before that, a Friday full of competent (if not stellar) competition awaits. Let’s get through it together.
Saratoga Analysis: Thursday, July 30, 2020
After a brief hiatus, Paddy’s Picks is back with analysis for a very solid card at Saratoga. There’s nothing too memorable in display here, but at the same time, there are few better ways to spend a weekday than looking at a competitive card. Let’s take a look.