2026 DraftKings Travers Stakes

about this race

Race Info
History

The Travers Stakes is the oldest major stakes race in the U.S. having first been conducted in 1864.

The Travers was named for William R. Travers, president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. The initial running of the race was won by his horse Kentucky. From 1864 to 1889, the race was run at 1 3/4 miles, and the current distance was adopted for the 1904 running.

The Travers Stakes is the oldest major stakes race in the U.S. having first been conducted in 1864.

The Travers was named for William R. Travers, president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. The initial running of the race was won by his horse Kentucky. From 1864 to 1889, the race was run at 1 3/4 miles, and the current distance was adopted for the 1904 running.

In 1941 Triple Crown champion Whirlaway became the first and only horse to win the Travers after sweeping the Triple Crown. In the 1982 Travers, Canadian champion Runaway Groom became the first horse to defeat the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont winners in a single race. No other horse has accomplished this feat since. In 2012 Alpha and Golden Ticket won the race the first and only Travers dead heat.

Other top horses to win the Travers include Bernardini, Medaglia d'Oro, Holy Bull, Easy Goer, Forty Niner, Alydar, Arts and Letters, Damascus, Sword Dancer, Native Dancer and Man o' War.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:59:36
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 15 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
08/22/2025	Sovereignty Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Junior Alvarado Owner / Godolphin, LLC	William I. Mott	Junior Alvarado	Godolphin, LLC
08/23/2024	Fierceness Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Repole Stable	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Repole Stable
08/25/2023	Arcangelo Trainer / Jena M. Antonucci Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Blue Rose Farm	Jena M. Antonucci	Javier Castellano	Blue Rose Farm
08/26/2022	Epicenter Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC	Steven M. Asmussen	Joel Rosario	Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
08/27/2021	Essential Quality Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Luis Saez Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Brad H. Cox	Luis Saez	Godolphin, LLC
08/07/2020	Tiz the Law Trainer / Barclay Tagg Jockey / Manuel Franco Owner / Sackatoga Stable	Barclay Tagg	Manuel Franco	Sackatoga Stable
08/23/2019	Code of Honor Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / W.S. Farish	Claude R. McGaughey III	John R. Velazquez	W.S. Farish
08/24/2018	Catholic Boy Trainer / Jonathan Thomas Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / LaPenta, Robert V., Madaket Stables, Siena Farm, and Twin Creek	Jonathan Thomas	Javier Castellano	LaPenta, Robert V., Madaket Stables, Siena Farm, and Twin Creek
08/25/2017	West Coast Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Gary and Mary West	Bob Baffert	Mike E. Smith	Gary and Mary West
08/26/2016	Arrogate Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Juddmonte	Bob Baffert	Mike E. Smith	Juddmonte
08/28/2015	Keen Ice Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Donegal Racing	Dale L. Romans	Javier Castellano	Donegal Racing
08/22/2014	V. E. Day Trainer / James A. Jerkens Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Magalen O. Bryant	James A. Jerkens	Javier Castellano	Magalen O. Bryant
08/23/2013	Will Take Charge Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Luis Saez Owner / Willis D. Horton	D. Wayne Lukas	Luis Saez	Willis D. Horton
08/24/2012	Alpha Trainer / Kiaran P. McLaughlin Jockey / Ramon A. Dominguez Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Ramon A. Dominguez	Godolphin, LLC
08/24/2012	Golden Ticket Trainer / Kenneth G. McPeek Jockey / David Cohen Owner / Magic City Thoroughbred Partners	Kenneth G. McPeek	David Cohen	Magic City Thoroughbred Partners
08/26/2011	Stay Thirsty Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Repole Stable	Todd A. Pletcher	Javier Castellano	Repole Stable
08/27/2010	Afleet Express Trainer / James A. Jerkens Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Gainesway Farm and Cherry, Martin L.	James A. Jerkens	Javier Castellano	Gainesway Farm and Cherry, Martin L.
08/28/2009	Summer Bird Trainer / Tim A. Ice Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / Jayaraman, Dr. K. K. and Jayaraman, Dr. Vilasini D.	Tim A. Ice	Kent J. Desormeaux	Jayaraman, Dr. K. K. and Jayaraman, Dr. Vilasini D.
08/22/2008	Colonel John Trainer / Eoin G. Harty Jockey / Garrett K. Gomez Owner / WinStar Farm LLC	Eoin G. Harty	Garrett K. Gomez	WinStar Farm LLC
08/24/2007	Street Sense Trainer / Carl A. Nafzger Jockey / Calvin H. Borel Owner / Jim Tafel LLC	Carl A. Nafzger	Calvin H. Borel	Jim Tafel LLC
08/25/2006	Bernardini Trainer / Thomas Albertrani Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Darley Stable	Thomas Albertrani	Javier Castellano	Darley Stable
08/26/2005	Flower Alley Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc.	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc.
08/27/2004	Birdstone Trainer / Nicholas P. Zito Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / Marylou Whitney Stables LLC	Nicholas P. Zito	Edgar S. Prado	Marylou Whitney Stables LLC
08/22/2003	Ten Most Wanted Trainer / Wallace A. Dollase Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Chisholm, James, Jarvis, Michael, Reddam, J. Paul, et al	Wallace A. Dollase	Pat Day	Chisholm, James, Jarvis, Michael, Reddam, J. Paul, et al
08/23/2002	Medaglia d'Oro Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Edmund A. Gann	Robert J. Frankel	Jerry D. Bailey	Edmund A. Gann
08/24/2001	Point Given Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Gary L. Stevens Owner / The Thoroughbred Corporation	Bob Baffert	Gary L. Stevens	The Thoroughbred Corporation
08/25/2000	Unshaded Trainer / Carl A. Nafzger Jockey / Shane J. Sellers Owner / Jim Tafel LLC	Carl A. Nafzger	Shane J. Sellers	Jim Tafel LLC
08/27/1999	Lemon Drop Kid Trainer / Flint S. Schulhofer Jockey / Jose A. Santos Owner / Jeanne G. Vance	Flint S. Schulhofer	Jose A. Santos	Jeanne G. Vance
08/28/1998	Coronado's Quest Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Stuart S. Janney, III	Claude R. McGaughey III	Mike E. Smith	Stuart S. Janney, III
08/22/1997	Deputy Commander Trainer / Wallace A. Dollase Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Mandysland Farm	Wallace A. Dollase	Chris J. McCarron	Mandysland Farm
08/23/1996	Will's Way Trainer / H. James Bond Jockey / Jorge F. Chavez Owner / Rudlein Stable	H. James Bond	Jorge F. Chavez	Rudlein Stable
08/18/1995	Thunder Gulch Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Gary L. Stevens Owner / Michael Tabor	D. Wayne Lukas	Gary L. Stevens	Michael Tabor
08/19/1994	Holy Bull Trainer / Warren A. Croll, Jr. Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Warren A. Croll Jr.	Warren A. Croll, Jr.	Mike E. Smith	Warren A. Croll Jr.
08/20/1993	Sea Hero Trainer / MacKenzie L. Miller Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Rokeby Stables	MacKenzie L. Miller	Jerry D. Bailey	Rokeby Stables
08/21/1992	Thunder Rumble Trainer / Richard O'Connell Jockey / Herb McCauley Owner / Braeburn Farm	Richard O'Connell	Herb McCauley	Braeburn Farm
08/16/1991	Corporate Report Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / William T. Young	D. Wayne Lukas	Chris J. McCarron	William T. Young
08/17/1990	Rhythm Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / Craig Perret Owner / Phipps O M	Claude R. McGaughey III	Craig Perret	Phipps O M
08/18/1989	Easy Goer Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Phipps O	Claude R. McGaughey III	Pat Day	Phipps O
08/19/1988	Forty Niner Trainer / Woodford C. Stephens Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Claiborne Farm	Woodford C. Stephens	Chris J. McCarron	Claiborne Farm
08/21/1987	Java Gold Trainer / MacKenzie L. Miller Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Rokeby Stable	MacKenzie L. Miller	Pat Day	Rokeby Stable
08/15/1986	Wise Times Trainer / Philip A. Gleaves Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Reineman R L	Philip A. Gleaves	Jerry D. Bailey	Reineman R L
08/16/1985	Chief's Crown Trainer / Roger Laurin Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Star Crown Stable	Roger Laurin	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Star Crown Stable
08/17/1984	Carr de Naskra Trainer / Richard J. Lundy Jockey / Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. Owner / Payson Virginia Kraft	Richard J. Lundy	Laffit A. Pincay, Jr.	Payson Virginia Kraft
08/12/1983	Play Fellow Trainer / Harvey L. Vanier Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Lauer C	Harvey L. Vanier	Pat Day	Lauer C
08/20/1982	Runaway Groom Trainer / John A. Dimario Jockey / Jeff Fell Owner / Drumlanrig Farm	John A. Dimario	Jeff Fell	Drumlanrig Farm
08/14/1981	Willow Hour Trainer / James E. Picou Jockey / Eddie Maple Owner / Schott Marcia W	James E. Picou	Eddie Maple	Schott Marcia W
08/15/1980	Temperence Hill Trainer / Joseph B. Cantey Jockey / Eddie Maple Owner / Loblolly Stable	Joseph B. Cantey	Eddie Maple	Loblolly Stable
08/17/1979	General Assembly Trainer / LeRoy S. Jolley Jockey / Jacinto Vasquez Owner / Firestone B R	LeRoy S. Jolley	Jacinto Vasquez	Firestone B R
08/18/1978	Alydar Trainer / John M. Veitch Jockey / Jorge Velasquez Owner / Calumet Farm	John M. Veitch	Jorge Velasquez	Calumet Farm
08/19/1977	Jatski Trainer / William A. Cole Jockey / Sam Maple Owner / Murray W H	William A. Cole	Sam Maple	Murray W H
08/20/1976	Honest Pleasure Trainer / LeRoy S. Jolley Jockey / Craig Perret Owner / Firestone B R	LeRoy S. Jolley	Craig Perret	Firestone B R