All reserved seats, dining and hospitality sold out for 2016 Travers at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna and Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that all reserved seats, dining and hospitality are sold out for the 147^th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 27.

Paid attendance for the 2016 edition of the Travers will be capped at 50,000, as had been the case in 2015, in an effort to provide the best experience possible for guests. Saratoga season pass holders are guaranteed admission on Travers Day. 

General admission grandstand tickets are currently available for purchase for $10, as well as an extremely limited inventory of general admission clubhouse tickets for $20. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, in-person at the NYRA Box Office at Saratoga Race Course, or by phone at 1-844-NYRA-TIX. There is a purchase limit of eight general admission tickets per person. Clubhouse upgrades will not be available on Travers Day.

"Travers is a blockbuster day and one of the must-see events of the Saratoga season," said NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay. "Over the past several years, we've witnessed growing demand among fans who want to experience this tremendous day of racing. The fan response to last year's Travers was overwhelmingly positive and, as a result, we will continue to cap attendance for the comfort and convenience of our guests. We strongly encourage fans to purchase tickets in advance for a spectacular day of racing at Saratoga with seven graded stakes, including an unparalleled six grade ones on the afternoon." 

The Travers is expected to feature the winners of two-thirds of the Triple Crown series: Exaggerator who captured the Preakness Stakes and Creator, the winner of the Belmont Stakes. It is also likely to include the top three finishers in the Jim Dandy, the traditional prep for the Travers: Laoban, Govenor Malibu and Destin. Haskell runner-up American Freedom, conditioned by Triple Crown winning trainer Bob Baffert, and Louisiana Derby winner Gun Runner are among the 22 3-year-olds who have been nominated to the 147^th running of the Travers Stakes.

This year's Travers Day will feature five other Grade 1 stakes: the $1 million Longines Sword Dancer Invitational at 1 ½ miles on the turf, the $500,000 Ballerina for filly and mare sprinters, the $700,000 Priority One Jets Forego at seven furlongs, the $750,000 Ketel One King's Bishop and the $750,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles. Rounding out the blockbuster card is the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa for turf fillies and mares.

Gates open at 7 am on Travers Day, with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. All patrons are subject to enhanced screening upon entering the grounds and will not be permitted to run once inside the property for their safety. This policy will be strictly enforced. 

There is a strict limit of one table per person that may be reserved in the backyard. Re-selling of picnic tables is not allowed and will result in expulsion from track grounds. 

Fans planning to attend the Travers can review a full list of prohibited and permitted items at NYRA.com. No storage will be provided for patrons arriving or attempting to enter the venue with prohibited items. 

Travers weekend will officially kick off on Friday, August 26 with New York Showcase Day, featuring six stakes races exclusively for New York-breds, including the $250,000 Albany for 3-year-olds.

The day will be highlighted by the induction of prominent owner Cot Campbell of Dogwood Stables and three-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Bill Mott into the Saratoga Walk of Fame during the annual Red Jacket Ceremony. During the ceremony, both inductees will receive an emblematic Saratoga red jacket and their plaques will be formally unveiled to the public.

The Travers is also celebrated by Travers 1864 Restaurant Week, presented by Mazzone Hospitality. From Sunday, August 21 through Thursday, August 25, diners have the opportunity to indulge in a three-course meal at participating restaurants for the prix-fixe cost of $18.64, the year of the inaugural running of the Travers, the nation's oldest major stakes race for 3-year-olds. For a full list of participating restaurants, visit NYRA.com/Travers1864.

The 2016 season at Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 5. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.