The Travers

[RPM]

Why isn’t it part of the Breeders Cup Challenge Series? Especially with the Triple Crown races winners running today? Is it too historic and famous in its own right?

BTW I love that shot they just showed of the Saratoga grandstand. It looks like a grandstand ought to look, instead of those huge plate-glass structures that have spoiled the look of, say, Churchill Downs.

[Brigid]

I’ve no TV/Dish for years, so I can NOT be able to sign-on.
I DO NOT gamble!
I just want to see the races.
Is this even possible any longer? :’(

[Where_sMyWhite]

If you have internet access… you can watch races, sometimes free, sometimes for pay, on places like TVG (yes, they aren’t just on satellite/cable) or Equibase.

[CVPeg]

I am working away from home, so don’t have TVG. But have a Twin Spires membership so you can watch the live racing free online on their site. I almost never have any money in the account, but once signed on, can still use the site. For loads of races.

And a couple of the races today were on NBC, so at least got to watch that with some commentary, and interviews.

As far as “Win and You’re In” I have to laugh. Have a friend who replies how that is a big deal, so thought that is why there is interest in The Travers. Nope, The Travers is the oldest Thoroughbred stakes race in the country, and was always considered “the midsummer Derby”. Almost equally important as The Triple Crown races for 3 year olds. Has held its importance much longer than the Breeders’ Cup races have existed. And Saratoga has always been enormous in racing interest - for owners and fans alike. Some trainers/owners gear their training just to eventually get horses running at Saratoga.

Many of the races at Saratoga (some with name changes like the 3yo 7f sprint, The Kings Bishop - was just renamed the H Allen Jerkens Memorial in the trainer’s honor) have been around for decades, maybe even a century or so. There are changes in the schedule though now. All those stakes races today never used to be run at the same time on The Travers undercard. There was a graded stakes race almost every race day, but now they are gathered together to make a more interesting card on big race days like today.

And what a race. What a deep field. Had no idea about West Coast - didn’t include him although the Equibase rating on him was pretty high.

And the Shadwell horse was a half to Rachel. Sorry he had a hard race. Hope he’s ok. Handsome guy.

Here’s the chart.
http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SAR&raceDate=08/26/2017&cy=USA&rn=11
And the Blood Horse article w/ video.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/223291/west-coast-is-best-in-travers-stakes

[mommy_peanut]

Big congrats to West Coast & his connections.
BB & Big Money Mike team up to win again.
Super impressive run from Gunnevera as well.

it’ll be interesting to see who all shows up come BC day.

[Zevida]

It’s not part of the challenge series because there are no races in the Breeders Cup restricted to three-year-olds. It wouldn’t be fair to have a Win and You’re In race that not everyone who could run in that BC race could enter.

[RPM]

@CVPeg

I am working away from home, so don’t have TVG. But have a Twin Spires membership so you can watch the live racing free online on their site. I almost never have any money in the account, but once signed on, can still use the site. For loads of races.

And a couple of the races today were on NBC, so at least got to watch that with some commentary, and interviews.

As far as “Win and You’re In” I have to laugh. Have a friend who replies how that is a big deal, so thought that is why there is interest in The Travers. Nope, The Travers is the oldest Thoroughbred stakes race in the country, and was always considered “the midsummer Derby”. Almost equally important as The Triple Crown races for 3 year olds. Has held its importance much longer than the Breeders’ Cup races have existed. And Saratoga has always been enormous in racing interest - for owners and fans alike. Some trainers/owners gear their training just to eventually get horses running at Saratoga.

Many of the races at Saratoga (some with name changes like the 3yo 7f sprint, The Kings Bishop - was just renamed the H Allen Jerkens Memorial in the trainer’s honor) have been around for decades, maybe even a century or so. There are changes in the schedule though now. All those stakes races today never used to be run at the same time on The Travers undercard. There was a graded stakes race almost every race day, but now they are gathered together to make a more interesting card on big race days like today.

And what a race. What a deep field. Had no idea about West Coast - didn’t include him although the Equibase rating on him was pretty high.

And the Shadwell horse was a half to Rachel. Sorry he had a hard race. Hope he’s ok. Handsome guy.

Here’s the chart.
http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=SAR&raceDate=08/26/2017&cy=USA&rn=11
And the Blood Horse article w/ video.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/223291/west-coast-is-best-in-travers-stakes

Thanks. That is sort of what I was thinking – but you obviously know more about it than I do!

Thanks, Zevida.

[Brigid]

@Where'sMyWhite

If you have internet access… you can watch races, sometimes free, sometimes for pay, on places like TVG (yes, they aren’t just on satellite/cable) or Equibase.

Thank you, Where’s My White & CVPeg as well.
Are these sites the type that do not ask for your SS or CC numbers?
I have problems with that.
Thanks again for all peoples combined helpfulness!

[Where_sMyWhite]

For the free videos, I don’t think so.

www.bloodhorse.com usually posts videos (free) of the stakes races (not all races).

For pay, yeah, you’ll have to pony up a CC

I don’t know if sites like TVG or TwinSpires require a CC just to create an account (as I don’t have one on either place nor do I plan to ).

Very few places that I’ve encountered ask for a SSN unless it is just the last 4 and most places don’t even ask for the last 4. What I don’t know for TVG et al is if they ask for SSN in the event you bet and win enough to report to IRS. I just don’t know that. Just flat out have no idea how the online wagering sites handle reporting to the IRS on winnings.

Having said all that, try creating an account and if they are asking for more info than you want to provide, just cancel and don’t proceed; no harm, no foul if you haven’t actually entered a CC or SSN

[Brigid]

@Where'sMyWhite

For the free videos, I don’t think so.

www.bloodhorse.com usually posts videos (free) of the stakes races (not all races).

For pay, yeah, you’ll have to pony up a CC

I don’t know if sites like TVG or TwinSpires require a CC just to create an account (as I don’t have one on either place nor do I plan to ).

Very few places that I’ve encountered ask for a SSN unless it is just the last 4 and most places don’t even ask for the last 4. What I don’t know for TVG et al is if they ask for SSN in the event you bet and win enough to report to IRS. I just don’t know that. Just flat out have no idea how the online wagering sites handle reporting to the IRS on winnings.

Having said all that, try creating an account and if they are asking for more info than you want to provide, just cancel and don’t proceed; no harm, no foul if you haven’t actually entered a CC or SSN

Thank you, W.M.W.
I guess I’ll just continue to watch races in my daily Blood-Horse feed, the day after.

[dressagetraks]

Always Dreaming has been sent to Winstar for some R&R.

[Where_sMyWhite]

At this point, I think who’s in the gate for the BC Classic will be interesting as, IMO, the 3 YO field is pretty wide open. I’ve always liked AD but not sure I’d back him in the Classic given his more recent performances…