DraftKings Travers: Official 2025 Guide

DraftKings Travers: Official 2025 Guide

The Travers is Saratoga's most famous race! The 2025 DraftKings Travers Stakes is today at 6:14pm ET.
DraftKings Travers: Official 2025 Guide

Travers Horses: 2025 Contenders

The contenders for the 156th running of the DraftKings Travers are set! This year's field is headlined by Kentucky Derby & Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty, who aims to add another signature win to his legacy.

The Travers is one of the oldest stakes races for three-year-old horses in the United States, and is the centerpiece of Saratoga racing. The Travers attracts elite horses from the spring's Triple Crown races, plus later-developing three-year-olds vying to overtake the established stars.

  • Jockey: Ben Curtis
  • Trainer: Steve Asmussen
  • Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
  • Jockey: Luis Saez
  • Trainer: Victoria Oliver
  • Owner: BBN Racing LLC
  • Jockey: Flavien Prat
  • Trainer: Chad Brown
  • Owner: Klaravich Stables, Inc.
  • Jockey: Junior Alvarado
  • Trainer: Bill Mott
  • Owner: Godolphin, LLC
  • Jockey: John Velazquez
  • Trainer: Rick Dutrow, Jr.
  • Owner: Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables LLC, Hicks, Judy B. and Rice, Scott C.

NYRA Bets Expert Analysis

Can anyone step up to challenge Sovereignty? Our NYRA Bets handicappers weigh in on how the Travers could unfold.

Travers Day 2025

DraftKings Travers Day on Saturday, August 23 will feature 14 races with a first post time of 11:10am ET, featuring six graded stakes. The DraftKings Travers is scheduled for 6:14pm ET.

🎪 Gates Open Time
🏃 Picnic Tables
🍹 Free Tastings
🐴 Pet a Racehorse
📷 Free Magnets
🚗 Tickets & Parking
🏆 Sovereignty Reigns
🏇 Stakes Races
📺 TV Schedule
ℹ️ Permitted Items

Travers History & Traditions

Early Years of the Travers

The first running of the Travers Stakes was in 1864. That makes the Travers three years older than the Belmont Stakes, and more than a decade older than the Kentucky Derby! It remains the oldest stakes race for three-year-old horses in the country.

The Travers is named after William Travers, a lawyer, investor, and the first president of Saratoga Race Course. William Travers' horse, Kentucky, won the inaugural Travers Stakes in 1864.

Of the first five editions of the Travers, three were won by fillies. The 1867 winner, Ruthless, the second filly to win in the Travers, had also won the inaugural running of the Belmont Stakes earlier in the summer of 1867. However, a filly hasn’t won the Travers Stakes in over a century. Lady Rotha in 1915 was the last filly to win the Travers; Thorpedo Anna came within a head in 2024.

1941 Triple Crown champion Whirlaway wins the Travers
The canoe in the colors of Robert LaPenta, part-owner of 2018 Travers winner Catholic Boy

The Travers Canoe  🛶

The fable of the Saratoga canoe has murky origins. Newspaper reports as early as 1927 mention a canoe in the infield lake; some saw it as a sign that the racing season was near, while others speculated that the vessel would provide unlucky bettors transportation home via the Hudson River.

In 1962, fans returned to find that the original blue paint had been covered over with the colors of Calumet Farm, whose horse Beau Prince had won the 1961 Travers. Each year since, the Travers-winning owner's colors have been painted onto the canoe, which floats peacefully in the lake for the following year.

The Travers Trophy  🏆

The Man o’ War Cup is a solid gold trophy awarded to the winner of the Travers. Created in 1920 by Tiffany & Co., the trophy was commissioned for the match race between 1920 Travers winner Man o’ War and 1919 Triple Crown winner Sir Barton. Man o’ War won the contest by 7 lengths, and drank from the cup in the Winner’s Circle after his victory.

In 1936, the trophy was donated to Saratoga Race Course and has been presented to the Travers-winning connections each year since. The winning horse’s name is engraved inside the bowl for eternity.

The Man o' War Cup, awarded to the Travers winner

Most Notable Runnings of the Travers Stakes

1881 Travers: Hindoo
1918 Travers: Sun Briar
1920 Travers: Man o' War
1930 Travers: Jim Dandy
1962 Travers: Jaipur
1978 Travers: Affirmed
1982 Travers: Runaway Groom
1992 Travers: Thunder Rumble
2004 Travers: Birdstone
2012 Travers: Golden Ticket & Alpha
2015 Travers: Keen Ice
2016 Travers: Arrogate
2023 Travers: Arcangelo

All Past Travers Stakes Winners

The 2024 Travers Stakes was won by Fierceness, jockey John Velazquez, trainer Todd Pletcher, and owner Repole Stable.

READ:  Fierceness Holds Off Filly Thorpedo Anna to Win the 2024 Travers Stakes

Year Horse Age Weight Time Owner Trainer Jockey Value
2024 Fierceness 3 126 2:01.79 Repole Stable Todd A. Pletcher John R. Velazquez $687,500
2023 Arcangelo 3 126 2:02.23 Blue Rose Farm Jena M. Antonucci Javier Castellano $687,500
2022 Epicenter 3 126 2:00.72 Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC Steven Asmussen Joel Rosario $670,000
2021 Essential Quality 3 126 2:01.96 Godolphin, LLC Brad H. Cox Luis Saez $670,000
2020 Tiz the Law 3 126 2:00.95 Sackatoga Stable Barclay Tagg Manuel Franco $535,000
2019 Code of Honor 3 126 2:01.05 W.S. Farish Claude R. McGaughey III John R. Velazquez $670,000
2018 Catholic Boy 3 126 2.01.94 Robert V. LaPenta, Madaket Stables LLC, Siena Farm LLC, & Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC Jonathan Thomas Javier Castellano $670,000
2017 West Coast 3 126 2:01.19 West, Gary and Mary Bob Baffert Mike E. Smith $670,000
2016 Arrogate 3 126 1:59.36 Juddmonte Farms, Inc. Bob Baffert Mike E. Smith $670,000
2015 Keen Ice 126 2:01.57 Donegal Racing Dale L. Romans Javier Castellano $670,000
2014 V. E. Day 3 126 2:02.93 Magalen O. Bryant James A. Jerkens Javier Castellano $670,000
2013 Will Take Charge 3 126 2:02.68 Willis D. Horton D. Wayne Lukas Luis Saez $600,000
2012 Alpha 3 126 2:02.74 Godolphin Racing LLC Kiaran P. McLaughlin Ramon A. Dominguez $400,000
2012 Golden Ticket 3 126 2.02.74 Magic City Thoroughbred Partners Kenneth G. McPeek David Cohen $400,000
2011 Stay Thirsty 126 2:03.03 Repole Stable Todd A. Pletcher Javier Castellano $600,000
2010 Afleet Express 3 126 2:03.28 Gainsway Farm and Martin Cherry James A. Jerkens Javier Castellano $600,000
2009 Summer Bird 3 126 2:02.83 Jayaraman, Dr. K. K. and Jayaraman, Dr. Vilasini D. Tim A. Ice Kent J. Desormeaux $600,000
2008 Colonel John 3 126 2:03.20 WinStar Farm LLC Eoin G. Harty Garrett K. Gomez $600,000
2007 Street Sense 3 126 2:02.69 James B. Tafel Carl A. Nafzger Calvin H. Borel $600,000
2006 Bernardini 126 2:01.60 Darley Stable Tom Albertrani Javier Castellano $600,000
2005 Flower Alley 3 126 2:02.8 Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. Todd A. Pletcher John Velazquez $600,000
2004 Birdstone 3 126 2:02 2/5 Marylou Whitney Stables Nicholas Zito Edgar Prado $600,000
2003 Ten Most Wanted 3 126 2:02 J. Paul Reddam Wallace Dollase Pat Day $600,000
2002 Medaglia d'Oro 3 126 2:02 2/5 Edmund A. Gann Robert Frankel Jerry Bailey $600,000
2001 Point Given 126 2:01 2/5 Thoroughbred Corporation Bob Baffert Gary Stevens $600,000
2000 Unshaded 126 2:02 2/5 James B. Tafel Carl Nafzger Shane Sellers $600,000
1999 Lemon Drop Kid 3 126 2:02 Jeanne G. Vance Flint S. Schulhofer Jose Santos $600,000
1998 Coronado's Quest 3 126 2:03 2/5 Stuart S. Janney III Claude R. McGaughey III Mike Smith $450,000
1997 Deputy Commander 126 2:04 Horizon St.Jarviset, et al. Wally Dollase Chris McCarron $450,000
1996 Will's Way 126 2:02 2/5 William Clifton Jr. H. James Bond Jorge Chavez $450,000
1995 Thunder Gulch 126 2:03 3/5 Michael Tabor D. Wayne Lukas Gary Stevens $450,000
1994 Holy Bull 3 126 2:02 Warren A Croll Jr Warren A Croll Jr Mike Smith $450,000
1993 Sea Hero 3 126 2:01 4/5 Rokeby Stable MacK. Miller Jerry Bailey $600,000
1992 Thunder Rumble 3 126 2:00 4/5 Braeburn Farm Richard O'Connell Herb McCauley $600,000
1991 Corporate Report 3 126 2:01 1/5 William T. Young D. Wayne Lukas Chris McCarron $600,000
1990 Rhythm 3 126 2:02 3/5 Ogden Phipps Claude R. McGaughey III Craig Perret $707,100
1989 Easy Goer 3 126 2:00 4/5 Ogden Phipps Claude R. McGaugheyIII Pat Day $653,100
1988 Forty Niner 3 126 2:01 2/5 Claiborne Farm Woody Stevens Chris McCarron $653,500
1987 Java Gold 126 2:02 Rokeby Stable MacK. Miller Pat Day $673,800
1986 Wise Times 3 126 2:03 2/5 Russell Reineman Phil Gleaves Jerry Bailey $203,700
1985 Chief's Crown 126 2:01 1/5 Star Crown Stables Roger Laurin Angel Cordero Jr. $202,800
1984 Carr de Naskra 126 2:02 3/5 Virginia Kraft Payson Richard J. Lundy Laffit Pincay Jr. $184,500
1983 Play Fellow 126 2:01 Carl Lauer Harvey Vanier Pat Day $135,000
1982 Runaway Groom 126 2:02 3/5 Albert Coppola John DiMario Jeffrey Fell $132,900
1981 Willow Hour 3 126 2:03 4/5 Marcia W. Schott James E. Picou Eddie Maple $135,600
1980 Temperence Hill 3 126 2:02 4/5 Loblolly Stable Joseph B. Cantey Eddie Maple $100,980
1979 General Assembly 126 2:00 Bertram R. Firestone Leroy Jolley Jacinto Vasquez $80,850
1978 Alydar 126 2:02 Calumet Farm John M. Veitch Jorge Velasquez $62,880
1977 Jatski 3 126 2:01 3/5 William Murray William Cole Sam Maple $68,160
1976 Honest Pleasure 126 2:00 1/5 Bertram R. Firestone Leroy Jolley Craig Perret $65,040
1975 Wajima 3 126 2:02 East-West Stable Steve DiMauro Braulio Baeza $65,220
1974 Holding Pattern 3 121 2:05 1/5 John Gerbas Jr. James J. Sarner Jr. Michael Miceli $69,660
1973 Annihilate 'Em 3 120 2:01 3/5 Patricia Blass Douglas Davis Jr. Ron Turcotte $68,280
1972 Key To The Mint 3 117 2:01 1/5 Rokeby Stable Elliott Burch Braulio Baeza $66,600
1971 Bold Reason 3 120 2:02 2/5 William A. Levin Angel Penna Laffit Pincay Jr. $66,420
1970 Loud 114 2:01 William Haggin Perry James W. Maloney Jacinto Vasquez $73,385
1969 Arts and Letters 3 126 2:01 3/5 Rokeby Stable Elliott Burch Braulio Baeza $69,290
1968 Chompion 3 114 2:04 4/5 C. V. Whitney Ivor G. Balding Jean Cruguet $55,802
1967 Damascus 126 2:01 3/5 Mrs. Edith W. Bancroft Frank Y. Whiteley Jr. William Shoemaker $52,065
1966 Buckpasser 3 126 2:01 3/5 Ogden Phipps Edward A. Neloy Braulio Baeza $53,690
1965 Hail To All 3 123 2:02 1/5 Mrs. Ben Cohen Edward Yowell John Sellers $56,777
1964 Quadrangle 3 126 2:04 2/5 Rokeby Stable Elliott Burch M. Ycaza $52,033
1963 Crewman 3 120 2:20 2/5 George D. Widener W. F. Mulholland E. Guerin $52,910
1962 Jaipur 3 126 2:01 3/5 George D. Widener W. F. Mulholland W. Shoemaker $53,722
1961 Beau Prince 3 126 2:03 Calumet Farm H. A. Jones S. Brooks $54,210
1960 Tompion 3 126 2:03 2/5 C. V. Whitney J. J. Greely Jr. W. Hartack $53,165
1959 Sword Dancer 3 126 2:04 1/5 Brookmeade Stable Elliott Burch M. Ycaza $51,962
1958 Piano Jim 3 112 2:05 4/5 Walter M. Jeffords O. White R. Ussery $29,920
1957 Gallant Man 3 126 2:04 Ralph Lowe J. A. Nerud W. Shoemaker $29,500
1956 Oh Johnny 116 2:06 1/5 Mrs. Wallace Gilroy N. R. McLeod H. Woodhouse $33,200
1955 Thinking Cap 3 120 2:06 2/5 Christiana Stable H. S. Clark P. J. Bailey $19,150
1954 Fisherman 3 120 2:06 C. V. Whitney S. E. Veitch H. Woodhouse $19,500
1953 Native Dancer 126 2:05 3/5 A. G. Vanderbilt W. C. Winfrey E. Guerin $18,850
1952 One Count 3 126 2:07 2/5 Mrs. W. M. Jeffords O. White E. Guerin $16,450
1951 Battlefield 3 123 2:06 1/5 George D. Widener W. F. Mulholland E. Arcaro $15,000
1950 Lights Up 3 110 2:03 George D. Widener W. F. Mulholland G. Hettinger $16,350
1949 Arise 108 2:06 1/5 Addison Stable J. C. Bentley C. Errico $16,600
1948 Ace Admiral 3 108 2:05 Main Chance Farm J. W. Smith T. Atkinson $19,650
1947 Young Peter 3 124 2:06 1/5 Mrs. R. L. Gerry G. P. Odom T. May $19,375
1946 Natchez 3 124 2:08 Mrs. W. M. Jeffords O. White T. Atkinson $24,750
1945 Adonis 3 110 2:02 4/5 William Helis W. Booth C. McCreary $28,680
1944 By Jimminy 126 2:03 2/5 Alfred P. Parker J. W. Smith E. Arcaro $25,015
1943 Eurasian 3 112 2:03 4/5 Mill River Stable S. Rutchick S. Brooks $19,850
1942 Shut Out 3 130 2:04 2/5 Greentree Stable J. M. Gaver E. Arcaro $17,825
1941 Whirlaway 3 130 2:05 4/5 Calumet Farm Ben Jones A. Robertson $16,900
1940 Fenelon 3 122 2:04 2/5 Belair Stud J. Fitzsimmons J. Stout $17,425
1939 Eight Thirty 3 117 2:06 3/5 George D. Widener W. F. Mulholland H. Richards $16,575
1938 Thanksgiving 3 117 2:03 3/5 Mrs. Parker Corning M. Hirsch E. Arcaro $14,400
1937 Burning Star 117 2:04 4/5 Shandon Farm J. J. Greely W. D. Wright $14,550
1936 Granville 3 127 2:05 4/5 Belair Stud J. Fitzsimmons J. Stout $14,700
1935 Gold Foam 3 112 2:04 3/5 Starmount Stable J. M. Milburn S. Coucci $14,675
1934 Observant 3 112 2:05 3/5 Morton L. Schwartz M. Hirsch L. Humphries $14,650
1933 Inlander 3 126 2:08 Brookmeade Stable R. A. Smith R. Jones $21,050
1932 War Hero 3 115 2:05 4/5 Glen Riddle Farm G. Conway L. Gilbert $23,150
1931 Twenty Grand 3 126 2:04 3/5 Greentree Stable J. Rowe Jr. L. McAtee $33,000
1930 Jim Dandy 3 120 2:08 Chaffee Earl J. B. McKee F. Baker $27,050
1929 Beacon Hill 3 117 2:04 1/5 H. P. Whitney J. Rowe Jr. A. Robertson $31,825
1928 Petee-Wrack 3 117 2:08 J. R. Macomber W. Booth S. O'Donnell $30,555
1927 Brown Bud 120 2:05 3/5 Frederick Johnson A. Gunther L. Fator $29,925
1926 Mars 123 2:04 3/5 Walter M. Jeffords S. D. Harlan F. Coltiletti $15,050
1925 Dangerous 3 115 2:10 4/5 G. A. Cochran W. Duke C. Kummer $13,425
1924 Sun Flag 3 115 2:04 2/5 G. A. Cochran C. H. Shilling F. Keogh $14,675
1923 Wilderness 3 120 2:04 R. T. Wilson T. J. Healey B. Marinelli $13,500
1922 Little Chief 3 123 2:13 2/5 Rancocas Stable S. C. Hildreth L. Fator $11,325
1921 Sporting Blood 116 2:05 4/5 Redstone Stable W. Booth L. Lyke $10,275
1920 Man o' War 3 129 2:01 4/5 Glen Riddle Farm L. Feustel A. Schuttinger $9,275
1919 Hannibal 3 120 2:02 4/5 R. T. Wilson T. J. Healey L. Ensor $9,835
1918 Sun Briar 120 2:03 1/5 Willis Sharpe Kilmer H. McDaniel W. Knapp $7,700
1917 Omar Khayyam 3 129 2:08 4/5 Wilfrid Viau R. F. Carmen J. Butwell $5,350
1916 Spur 3 129 2:05 James Butler J. McCormick J. Loftus $3,125
1915 Lady Rotha (F) 3 106 2:11 2/5 Andrew Miller A. J. Goldsborough M. Garner $2,150
1914 Roamer 3 123 2:04 Andrew Miller A. J. Goldsborough J. Butwell $3,000
1913 Rock View 129 2:06 3/5 August Belmont L. Feustel T. McTaggart $2,725
1910 Dalmatian 3 129 2:10 S. C. Hildreth S. C. Hildreth C. H. Shilling $4,825
1909 Hilarious 3 129 2:06 James R. Keene J. Rowe R. Scoville $5,800
1908 Dorante 116 2:09 3/5 F. A. Forsythe R. Colston J. Lee $5,800
1907 Frank Gill 129 2:07 J. L. McGinnis J. I. Smith J. Notter $5,800
1906 Gallavant 111 2:08 1/5 R. T. Wilson Jr. T. J. Healey W. Miller $5,800
1905 Dandelion 3 111 2:08 F. R. Hitchock J. E. Madden W. Shaw $8,350
1904 Broomstick 3 129 2:06 4/5 S. S. Brown R. Tucker T. Burns $5,850
1903 Ada Nay (F) 3 106 1:57 J. B. Haggin A. J. Joyner F. O'Neill $8,150
1902 Hermis 3 111 1:54 4/5 H. M. Ziegler J. A. McCormack T. Rice $6,750
1901 Blues 126 1:56 3/5 C. Fleischmann Sons T. Welch W. Shaw $6,750
1897 Rensselaer 3 126 2:12 J. E. McDonald H. Harris F. Taral $1,425
1895 Liza (F) 3 104 1:55 1/2 P. Lorillard J. Huggins H. Griffin $1,125
1894 Henry of Navarre 3 125 2:10 1/4 B. McClelland B. McClelland F. Taral $2,350
1893 Stowaway 3 107 2:10 3/4 Woodland Stable H. H. Brandt McDermott $2,450
1892 Azra 3 122 2:43 3/4 Bashford Manor J. Morris A. Clayton $2,750
1891 Vallera 3 122 2:49 Scoggan Bros. E. Wishard R. Williams $2,900
1890 Sir John 3 118 2:39 Dwyer Bros. F. McCabe M. Bergen $4,925
1889 Long Dance 3 118 3:08 3/4 G. M. Rye G. M. Rye S. Barnes $3,700
1888 Sir Dixon 3 118 3:07 3/4 Dwyer Bros. F. McCabe J. McLaughlin $4,625
1887 Carey 3 118 3:17 3/4 E. Corrigan E. Corrigan H. Blaylock $4,625
1886 Inspector B. 3 118 3:10 1/4 Dwyer Bros. F. McCabe J. McLaughlin $3,825
1885 Bersan 3 118 3:08 1/4 G. B. Morris G. B. Morris J. Spellman $4,025
1884 Rataplan 3 118 3:07 1/2 N. W. Kitson F. Midgeley W. Fitzpatrick $4,150
1883 Barnes 3 118 3:18 Dwyer Bros. J. Rowe Sr. J. McLaughlin $3,400
1882 Carley B. 3 115 3:28 3/4 A. Burnham H. Welch G. Quantrel $3,450
1881 Hindoo 3 118 3:07 1/2 Dwyer Bros. J. Rowe Sr. J. McLaughlin $2,950
1880 Grenada 3 118 3:12 1/2 G. L. Lorillard R. W. Walden L. Hughes $3,750
1879 Falsetto 3 118 3:09 1/4 J. W. Reynolds E. Jordan I. Murphy $4,950
1878 Duke of Magenta 3 118 3:08 G. L. Lorillard R. W. Walden L. Hughes $4,250
1877 Baden Baden 3 110 3:15 1/2 W. Astor J. Williams T. Sayres $3,700
1876 Sultana (F) 3 107 3:15 1/2 August Belmont J. McClelland W. Haywark $3,700
1875 D'Artagnan 3 110 3:06 1/2 J. A. Grinstead J. B. Pryor G. Barbee $4,850
1874 Attila 3 110 3:09 1/2 P. Lorillard W. Pryor G. Barbee $5,050
1873 Tom Bowling 3 110 3:09 3/4 H. P. McGrath A. Williams R. Swim $5,400
1872 Joe Daniels 3 110 3:08 1/4 D. McDaniel D. McDaniel J. Rowe $5,500
1871 Harry Bassett 3 110 3:21 3/5 D. McDaniel D. McDaniel W. Miller $5,600
1870 Kingfisher 3 110 3:15 1/4 D. Swigert R. Colston Sr. C. Miller $4,950
1869 Glenelg 3 110 3:14 August Belmont J. Pincus C. Miller $3,000
1868 The Banshee (F) 3 97 3:10 3/4 J. M. Clay J. H. Davis Smith $3,150
1867 Ruthless (F) 3 103 3:18 1/4 F. Morris A. J. Minor G. Gilpatrick $2,850
1866 Merrill 3 100 3:29 R. A. Alexander A. Williams Abe $3,500
1865 Maiden (F) 3 97 3:18 1/2 T. G. Moore T. G. Moore W. Sewell $3,400
1864 Kentucky 3 100 3:18 3/4 Hunter & Travers A. J. Minor G. Gilpatrick $2,950
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