There are few more beautiful race courses in the United States than Saratoga. The course comes to live throughout the summer, with many fans of horse racing not believing the summer has started until the meet begins. It is a historic track in the States, as it is the third oldest race course in the country.
Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, the course hosts a number of massive races throughout the season. You can find out more in the Saratoga race schedule by TwinSpires.com.
Let’s talk about some of the biggest meetings at the track below.
Travers Stakes
The biggest race that is held at Saratoga is the Travers Stakes. This race is a Grade 1 for horses aged three, and covers a total distance of 1 ¼ miles. Fillies are also eligible to enter the race, but there has never been a female winner of the prestigious race. Only one Triple Crown winner has won the Travers in the same year, with Whirlaway achieving that feat in 1941.
This race offers a purse of $1,250,000. Bert Mullholland holds the record for the most wins as a trainer, while Javier Castellano’s six wins is the most for a jockey. The speed record was set by Arrogate in 2016, while Demascus’s win in 1967 remains the most dominant success, as he won by 22 lengths. Last year, the Travers Stakes was won by Essential Quality for Brad Cox and Luis Saez.
Whitney Handicap
The Whitney Handicap is another hugely lucrative Grade 1 held at Saratoga annually, with this race offering a purse of $1,200,000. Horses that are aged three and older can compete in the Whitney, with the runners carrying different weights that are determined by their previous runs. Only two horses in history have managed to record three victories in the Whitney, with Discovery being the first horse to win three straight editions.
Kelso also won his third Whitney back in 1965. John M. Gaver Sr holds the record for most trainer victories, while Jerry Bailey and Pat Day both won five times as jockeys. Last year’s winner of the race was Knicks Go, who would later go on to win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at the end of the season.
Alabama Stakes
The premier race for fillies at Saratoga is the Alabama Stakes. Once again, this is a Grade 1 race, and it was first run in 1872. This race offers a slightly lower purse, as winning connections will pick up $600,000. This contest is run over a distance of 1 ¼ miles on the dirt, with three-year-old fillies eligible to run. Since 2010, it has been the third leg of the Triple Tiara; following the Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks.
Three jockeys are tied for the most wins in this race, with Jorge Velasquez, Jerry Bailey and Mike Smith all winning on five occasions. Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons holds the record for most wins by a single trainer, as he won on eight occasions between 1924 and 1959. Last year’s winner of the race was the supremely talented Malathaat for Todd Pletcher.
Jockey Club Gold Cup
One of the most exciting new races added to the Saratoga calendar is the Jockey Club Gold Cup. It was moved from Belmont to Saratoga for the first time ever in 2021, and offers an alternative to connections aside from the Breeders’ Cup towards the end of the year. The race has been run over 1 ¼ miles since 1990, with horses aged three and older competing for the $1 million purse. Legendary horses such as Cigar, Man o’ War and War Admiral have all won this iconic race.
Kelso holds the record for the most wins in this race, as the legendary horse won on five occasions between 1960 and 1964. Meanwhile, Eddie Arcaro is the leading jockey with eleven wins, and Jim Fitzsimmons holds the record for the most training victories. Last year’s winner of the race was Max Player for trainer Steven Asmussen.
