The Travers Stakes is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse races in the United States. First run in Saratoga, New York in 1864, the Travers is a Grade 1 race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds that covers a distance of 1 ¼ miles. The race has been held at Saratoga Race Course every year since, with the exception of the years 1911 and 1912, when it was held at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The 2021 running of the Travers Stakes will take place on August 7th, 2021.
History of the Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is named after William R. Travers, who was the president of the Saratoga Racing Association in the mid-1800s. He was an enthusiastic supporter of horse racing and was instrumental in the creation of Saratoga Race Course. The first running of the Travers Stakes was held in 1864 and was won by Kentucky, a bay colt owned by William R. Travers. The race has been held at Saratoga Race Course every year since, with the exception of the years 1911 and 1912, when it was held at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York.
Notable Winners of the Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes has been won by some of the most famous horses in history. Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner, won the Travers Stakes in 1972. Man o’ War, one of the greatest horses of all time, won the race in 1920. Seattle Slew, the 1977 Triple Crown winner, won the Travers Stakes in 1976. Affirmed, the last horse to win the Triple Crown, won the race in 1978.
Notable Jockeys in the Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes has been won by some of the most celebrated jockeys in history. Pat Day, who won 8,803 races during his career, won the race twice, in 1981 and 1990. Jerry Bailey, winner of 15 Triple Crown races, won the Travers Stakes in 2002 and 2003. Steve Cauthen, who won the Triple Crown in 1978 aboard Affirmed, won the Travers Stakes in 1985 and 1987.
Notable Trainers of the Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes has been won by some of the most renowned trainers in horse racing. D. Wayne Lukas holds the record for the most wins in the race, with six wins between 1982 and 2008. Bill Mott has won the race four times, most recently in 2011. Todd Pletcher has won the race three times, most recently in 2018.
Current Purse of the Travers Stakes
The current purse of the Travers Stakes is $1.25 million, making it one of the richest horse races in the country. The winner of the race is guaranteed to take home at least $750,000, with the remaining $500,000 divided among the other finishers.
What Horses are in the Travers Stakes Today?
The 2021 running of the Travers Stakes will be held on August 7th, 2021 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York. The field for the 2021 Travers Stakes is made up of 11 horses, all of whom are three-year-old Thoroughbreds.
Horses in the Travers Stakes 2021
The following horses are in the Travers Stakes 2021:
1. Mandaloun – The favorite to win the 2021 Travers Stakes, Mandaloun has won three races in 2021, including the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds Race Course. He is trained by Brad Cox and will be ridden by Florent Geroux.
2. Essential Quality – The winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby, Essential Quality is one of the most accomplished horses in the field. He is trained by Brad Cox and will be ridden by Luis Saez.
3. Hot Rod Charlie – Hot Rod Charlie is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs. He is trained by Doug O’Neill and will be ridden by Flavien Prat.
4. Known Agenda – Known Agenda is coming off a win in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. He is trained by Todd Pletcher and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.
5. France Go de Ina – France Go de Ina is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Park. He is trained by Richard Baltas and will be ridden by Tyler Baze.
6. Crowded Trade – Crowded Trade is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park. He is trained by Chad Brown and will be ridden by John Velazquez.
7. Keepmeinmind – Keepmeinmind is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. He is trained by Robertino Diodoro and will be ridden by David Cohen.
8. Bourbonic – Bourbonic is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. He is trained by Todd Pletcher and will be ridden by Kendrick Carmouche.
9. Helium – Helium is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park. He is trained by Mark Casse and will be ridden by Julien Leparoux.
10. Proxy – Proxy is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. He is trained by Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by Ricardo Santana, Jr.
11. Sainthood – Sainthood is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita Park. He is trained by Doug O’Neill and will be ridden by Mario Gutierrez.
Conclusion
The 2021 running of the Travers Stakes will take place on August 7th, 2021 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York. The field for the 2021 Travers Stakes is made up of 11 horses, all of whom are three-year-old Thoroughbreds, and includes some of the most accomplished horses in the country. The purse for the race is a hefty $1.25 million, with the winner taking home at least $750,000. It promises to be an exciting race, and one that is sure to be remembered for years to come.