Travers Stakes Oldest Horse Race

The Travers Stakes is the oldest Thoroughbred Grade I horse race in America. It is held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race was first held in the year 1864, and was named after William R. Travers, who was the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association.

The Travers Stakes first race was won by the William R. Traverss horse, Kentucky. The races field is limited to three-year-olds Colts and geldings carrying 126 pounds and fillies carrying 123 pounds. The first prize for the race has been $100,000 from the year 1999. The race is the highlight of the summer race meeting at Saratoga as the Belmont Stakes race is the focal point of the spring meeting at the Belmont Park. The year 1962, is considered as the important year in the history of Travers.

The Travers Stakes race event is still written and talked about in which, Jaipur won by an inch distance in track record time over the most talented horse, Ridan. This head to head went on over the entire mile and quarter. This race was later recorded in the Top 100 moments in the 2006, book, Horse Racing.

The Travers Stakes race held in the year 1982 also created a history of sorts. In that year, the Runaway Groom, the champion Canadian three year old, came after a very tiring season. The horse became the only horse in the racing history to beat the Kentucky Derby winner; Gato Del Sol, the Preakness Stakes winner; Alomas Ruler and the Belmont Stakes winner; Conquistador Cielo in the same race.

The Travers Stakes trophy is known as the Man OWar Cup and was designed by Tiffany & Company. A gold-plated replica is awarded to the winner every year by a member of the Riddle family. The state lottery announced its sponsorship of the race on 18th July, 2006. The colors of the Traverse winners have been painted on a canoe, which sits on a pond in the infield. This tradition has been followed since 1961. The canoe itself has been a fixture of the track since 1926.

The Travers Stakes race attracts people from all around the country. It recorded its highest attendance in the year 2001, where the attendance was around 60,486. The race was dubbed as the Midsummer Derby and acquired the record betting hands of over $34,529,273. This is a Saratoga record. Wikipedia