The Travers Stakes, often referred to as the “Mid-Summer Derby,” is one of the most prestigious horse races in the United States. Held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, the race was first run in 1864, making it the oldest major thoroughbred horse race in America. Named after William R. Travers, the president of the Saratoga Racing Association at the time, the race has been a significant event for three-year-old horses. Its history is rich with legendary winners, including champions like Man o’ War, Whirlaway, and American Pharoah. The Travers Stakes is part of Saratoga’s summer meet and is known for its challenging 1¼-mile dirt track. Its position on the racing calendar, after the Triple Crown series, often attracts top contenders, making it a key race in determining the year’s best three-year-old horse.
Race Information:
Date: August 24th, 2024
Track: Saratoga Race Course
Location: Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Owner(s): Brookdale Racing, Inc., Edwards, Mark, Hicks, Judy B. and Magdalena Racing
Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Dam: Sataves (Uncle Mo)
Sire: Fast Anna (Medaglia d’Oro)
Starts
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Life
7
6
1
0
2024
4
4
0
0
2023
3
2
1
0
Saratoga Race Course
2
2
0
0
Name: Sierra Leone
ML Odds: 7-2
Owner(s): Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick, Westerberg, Rocket Ship R
Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Dam: Heavenly Love (Malibu Moon)
Sire: Gun Runner (Candy Ride*Arg)
Starts
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Life
7
3
3
1
2024
5
2
2
1
2023
2
1
1
0
Saratoga Race Course
2
0
1
1
Name: Unmatched Wisdom
ML Odds: 8-1
Owner(s): Klaravich Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Dam: Glide On By (Pure Prize)
Sire: Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile)
Starts
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Life
3
3
0
0
2024
3
3
0
0
2023
0
0
0
0
Saratoga Race Course
1
1
0
0
Name: Corporate Power
ML Odds: 15-1
Owner(s): Courtlandt Farms (Donald and Donna Adam)
Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Dam: Road to Victory (Quality Road)
Sire: Curlin (Smart Strike)
Starts
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Life
5
2
2
0
2024
5
2
2
0
2023
0
0
0
0
Saratoga Race Course
1
0
1
0
Name: Batten Down
ML Odds: 20-1
Owner(s): Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
Trainer: William I. Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Dam: Close Hatches (First Defence)
Sire: Tapit (Pulpit)
Starts
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Life
6
2
1
2
2024
6
2
1
2
2023
0
0
0
0
Saratoga Race Course
1
0
0
1
Name: Honor Marie
ML Odds: 20-1
Owner(s): Ribble Farms LLC, Eiserman, Michael H., Silver, Earl I., Fishbein, Kenneth E. an
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Dam: Dame Marie (Smart Strike)
Sire: Honor Code (A.P. Indy)
Starts
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Life
7
2
2
0
2024
4
0
1
0
2023
3
2
1
0
Saratoga Race Course
1
0
0
0
Name: Dornoch
ML Odds: 5-2
Owner(s): West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC, Two E
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Luis Saez
Dam: Puca (Big Brown)
Sire: Good Magic (Curlin)
Starts
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Life
9
5
2
0
2024
5
3
0
0
2023
4
2
2
0
Saratoga Race Course
2
1
1
0
Name: Fierceness
ML Odds: 3-1
Owner(s): Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Dam: Nonna Bella (Stay Thirsty)
Sire: City of Light (Quality Road)
Starts
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Life
7
4
0
1
2024
4
2
0
1
2023
3
2
0
0
Saratoga Race Course
2
2
0
0
Projected Race Setup:
Front Runners
#1 – Thorpedo Anna
#7 – Dornoch
#8 – Fierceness
Off the Pace
#3 – Unmatched Wisdom
#5 – Batten Down
Middle of the Pact
#4 – Corperate Power
Closers
#2 – Sierra Leone
Picks:
$20 WIN – #2 Sierra Leone
TICKET COST $20.00
$5 EXACTA – 2 / 1, 4, 7, 8
TICKET COST $20.00
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.