08/23/2025
Today is the Travers Stakes at Saratoga! Here's a little bit of cool trivia.
Who's your pick to win today?
Another Saturday, another big stakes race at Saratoga. Today is the 156th running of the Grade 1 Travers Stakes, nicknamed the Midsummer Derby. The race is named after William R. Travers—one of the founders of America's oldest racecourse—they sought to honor a man who had made a significant mark on the sport of horse racing. Mr. Travers' horse, Kentucky, won the first race in 1864.
Did you know that since 1961, the Travers Canoe, painted in the colors of the reigning champion’s silks, has served as a unique tribute to each year’s winner. The canoe has been a fixture in the infield pond at Saratoga Race Course since 1926, but it wasn't until decades later that it became associated with the Travers.
What is your favorite Travers tradition or memory?