2024 Travers Stakes Preview & Picks

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The Travers Stakes headlines a thrilling Saturday at Saratoga, featuring five Grade 1 stakes races.

Race History:

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
  • Event Grade: Grade I
  • Race: 13
  • Post Time: 6:10 PM ET
  • Length: 1 1/4 Miles
  • Purse: $1,250,000
  • Division: Open | Three Years Old
  • Surface: Dirt
  • Wagers: Exacta ($1), Trifecta (.50), Super (.10), Double ($1) 13 & 14

Field:

Post PositionHorseA/SWeightJockey TrainerMorning Line (ML) Odds
1Thorpedo Anna3/F121Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.Kenneth G. McPeek3-1
2Sierra Leone3/C126Flavien PratChad C. Brown7-2
3Unmatched Wisdom3/C126Irad Ortiz, Jr.Chad C. Brown8-1
4Corporate Power3/C126Javier CastellanoClaude R. McGaughey III15-1
5Batten Down3/C126Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. Mott20-1
6Honor Marie3/C126Tyler GaffalioneD. Whitworth Beckman20-1
7Dornoch3/C126Luis SaezDanny Gargan5-2
8Fierceness3/C126John R. VelazquezTodd A. Pletcher3-1

Horse Preview:

Name: Thorpedo AnnaML Odds: 3-1
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) 
 Starts1st Place2nd Place3rd Place
Life7610
20244400
20233210
Saratoga Race Course2200

Name: Sierra LeoneML 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) 
 Starts1st Place2nd Place3rd Place
Life7331
20245221
20232110
Saratoga Race Course2011

Name: Unmatched WisdomML 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)
 Starts1st Place2nd Place3rd Place
Life3300
20243300
20230000
Saratoga Race Course1100

Name: Corporate PowerML 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)
 Starts1st Place2nd Place3rd Place
Life5220
20245220
20230000
Saratoga Race Course1010

Name: Batten DownML Odds: 20-1
Owner(s): Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
Trainer: William I. Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Dam: Close Hatches (First Defence)
Sire: Tapit (Pulpit)
 Starts1st Place2nd Place3rd Place
Life6212
20246212
20230000
Saratoga Race Course1001

Name: Honor MarieML 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)
 Starts1st Place2nd Place3rd Place
Life7220
20244010
20233210
Saratoga Race Course1000

Name: DornochML 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)
 Starts1st Place2nd Place3rd Place
Life9520
20245300
20234220
Saratoga Race Course2110

Name: FiercenessML 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)
 Starts1st Place2nd Place3rd Place
Life7401
20244201
20233200
Saratoga Race Course2200

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.

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