Kylie Wellington Photo

2021 Runhappy Travers Day generates $51,381,515 in all-sources handle

by Pat McKenna

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that the 13-race Runhappy Travers Day card generated all-sources handle totaling $51,381,515. 

A paid crowd of 44,507 witnessed Essential Quality secure victory in the Runhappy Travers for reigning Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox and jockey Luis Saez. Essential Quality, owned by Godolphin, posted a final time of 2:01.96 in the 152nd running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers. With today’s victory in the Runhappy Travers, Cox becomes just the third conditioner to sweep the Whitney and Travers in the same summer with two different horses. 

On-track handle was $9,406,526.

NYRA was honored to welcome New York Governor Kathy Hochul to Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, where she presented the Man o’ War Cup to the connections of Essential Quality. On Tuesday, August 24, Gov. Hochul made history by becoming the first female governor in New York State history.

“The New York Racing Association thanks our fans for their tremendous support today and throughout the 2021 summer meet here at historic Saratoga Race Course, and we look forward to closing out the meet with fan appreciation week,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O’Rourke.” We would also like to thank Gov. Hochul for joining us today to witness history and present the Man o’ War Cup.”

For the third consecutive year, fans nationwide watched the Runhappy Travers action unfold on the FOX Broadcast Network as part of a special 90-minute telecast. Overall, the FOX Sports family of networks broadcast 7 ½ hours of live racing action from Saratoga which included all seven graded stakes on Runhappy Travers Day.

The Runhappy Travers was the centerpiece of a card featuring six Grade 1s among seven stakes in total, including the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer; Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign presented by Lia Infiniti; Grade 1, $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina; Grade 1, $600,000 Forego; and Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. Rounding out the blockbuster card was the Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa.

The 2021 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 6. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.