
Runhappy Travers S.
Saratoga Race Course ~ 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
about this race
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.
Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:59:36
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 15 lengths
Date | Past Winner | Trainer | Jockey | Owner |
---|---|---|---|---|
08/27/2021 | Essential Quality
| Brad H. Cox | Luis Saez | Godolphin, LLC |
08/07/2020 | Tiz the Law
| Barclay Tagg | Manuel Franco | Sackatoga Stable |
08/23/2019 | Code of Honor
| Claude R. McGaughey III | John R. Velazquez | W.S. Farish |
08/24/2018 | Catholic Boy
| Jonathan Thomas | Javier Castellano | LaPenta, Robert V., Madaket Stables, Siena Farm, and Twin Creek |
08/25/2017 | West Coast
| Bob Baffert | Mike E. Smith | West, Gary and West, Mary |
08/26/2016 | Arrogate
| Bob Baffert | Mike E. Smith | Juddmonte |
08/28/2015 | Keen Ice
| Dale L. Romans | Javier Castellano | Donegal Racing |
08/22/2014 | V. E. Day
| James A. Jerkens | Javier Castellano | Magalen O. Bryant |
08/23/2013 | Will Take Charge
| D. Wayne Lukas | Luis Saez | Willis D. Horton |
08/24/2012 | Alpha
| Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Ramon A. Dominguez | Godolphin Racing, LLC |
08/24/2012 | Golden Ticket
| Kenneth G. McPeek | David Cohen | Magic City Thoroughbred Partners |
08/26/2011 | Stay Thirsty
| Todd A. Pletcher | Javier Castellano | Repole Stable |
08/27/2010 | Afleet Express
| James A. Jerkens | Javier Castellano | Gainesway Farm and Cherry, Martin L. |
08/28/2009 | Summer Bird
| Tim A. Ice | Kent J. Desormeaux | Jayaraman, Dr. K. K. and Jayaraman, Dr. Vilasini D. |
08/22/2008 | Colonel John
| Eoin G. Harty | Garrett K. Gomez | WinStar Farm LLC |
08/24/2007 | Street Sense
| Carl A. Nafzger | Calvin H. Borel | Jim Tafel LLC |
08/25/2006 | Bernardini
| Thomas Albertrani | Javier Castellano | Darley Stable |
08/26/2005 | Flower Alley
| Todd A. Pletcher | John R. Velazquez | Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. |
08/27/2004 | Birdstone
| Nicholas P. Zito | Edgar S. Prado | Marylou Whitney Stables LLC |
08/22/2003 | Ten Most Wanted
| Wallace A. Dollase | Pat Day | Chisholm, James, Jarvis, Michael, Reddam, J. Paul, et al |
08/23/2002 | Medaglia d'Oro
| Robert J. Frankel | Jerry D. Bailey | Edmund A. Gann |
08/24/2001 | Point Given
| Bob Baffert | Gary L. Stevens | The Thoroughbred Corporation |
08/25/2000 | Unshaded
| Carl A. Nafzger | Shane J. Sellers | Jim Tafel LLC |
08/27/1999 | Lemon Drop Kid
| Flint S. Schulhofer | Jose A. Santos | Jeanne G. Vance |
08/28/1998 | Coronado's Quest
| Claude R. McGaughey III | Mike E. Smith | Stuart S. Janney, III |
08/22/1997 | Deputy Commander
| Wallace A. Dollase | Chris J. McCarron | Mandysland Farm |
08/23/1996 | Will's Way
| H. James Bond | Jorge F. Chavez | Rudlein Stable |
08/18/1995 | Thunder Gulch
| D. Wayne Lukas | Gary L. Stevens | Michael Tabor |
08/19/1994 | Holy Bull
| Warren A. Croll, Jr. | Mike E. Smith | Warren A. Croll Jr. |
08/20/1993 | Sea Hero
| MacKenzie L. Miller | Jerry D. Bailey | Rokeby Stables |
08/21/1992 | Thunder Rumble
| Richard O'Connell | Herb McCauley | Braeburn Farm |
08/16/1991 | Corporate Report
| D. Wayne Lukas | Chris J. McCarron | William T. Young |
08/17/1990 | Rhythm
| Claude R. McGaughey III | Craig Perret | Phipps O M |
08/18/1989 | Easy Goer
| Claude R. McGaughey III | Pat Day | Phipps O |
08/19/1988 | Forty Niner
| Woodford C. Stephens | Chris J. McCarron | Claiborne Farm |
08/21/1987 | Java Gold
| MacKenzie L. Miller | Pat Day | Rokeby Stable |
08/15/1986 | Wise Times
| Philip A. Gleaves | Jerry D. Bailey | Reineman R L |
08/16/1985 | Chief's Crown
| Roger Laurin | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Star Crown Stable |
08/17/1984 | Carr de Naskra
| Richard J. Lundy | Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. | Payson Virginia Kraft |
08/12/1983 | Play Fellow
| Harvey L. Vanier | Pat Day | Lauer C |
08/20/1982 | Runaway Groom
| John A. Dimario | Jeff Fell | Drumlanrig Farm |
08/14/1981 | Willow Hour
| James E. Picou | Eddie Maple | Schott Marcia W |
08/15/1980 | Temperence Hill
| Joseph B. Cantey | Eddie Maple | Loblolly Stable |
08/17/1979 | General Assembly
| LeRoy S. Jolley | Jacinto Vasquez | Firestone B R |
08/18/1978 | Alydar
| John M. Veitch | Jorge Velasquez | Calumet Farm |
08/19/1977 | Jatski
| William A. Cole | Sam Maple | Murray W H |
08/20/1976 | Honest Pleasure
| LeRoy S. Jolley | Craig Perret | Firestone B R |