NYRA generates record Whitney Day all-sources handle

Mary Eddy

A decade after surprising a crowd of more than 46,000 race fans with a thrilling victory in the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga Race Course, pensioned stallion V.E. Day has found a new calling in his third career as an ambassador for thoroughbred racehorse retirement at Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, K.Y.

Christian Abdo

In 2012, trainer Kenny McPeek believed the 1-for-9 Golden Ticket was in good enough form to contest the historic Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga Race Course. It was a massive ask for just a maiden winner, but it proved to be the right call as the 33-1 longshot dead-heated for victory with the favored Alpha in a finish for the ages.

Brien Bouyea

On August 7, 1915, a filly named Lady Rotha was declared the winner of the Travers via disqualification. Little fuss was made regarding the gender of the bay daughter of multiple stakes winner Fayette. After all, Lady Rotha was the seventh filly to win the Travers in its first 46 runnings. More than a century later, Lady Rotha’s name remains relevant as the most recent filly to win Saratoga’s signature race.

Christian Abdo

A classy group of six will line up for Saturday’s 131st Grade 1, $1 million Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap on June 8 Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga Race Course. The field includes the multiple graded stakes-winner Post Time, who hopes to channel the talent and tenacity of his sire Frosted - winner of the 2016 edition in a performance for the ages.

Ryan Martin

​On Saturday, August 22, 1987, the Travers Stakes celebrated its 118th running. While not a milestone number, that year’s edition was special for two reasons as it marked the first year the race boasted a $1 million purse, becoming Saratoga Race Course’s first seven-figure race; and the Travers field saw not only one of its best ever lineups, but also one of the most talented group of horses ever to compete against each other at the historic track.

Lynne Snierson

​The “V” in Johnny V stands for victory. John Velazquez, affectionately known to his legion of fans around the racing world as Johnny V, has won almost 6,500 races, broken records with regularity, and set major milestones throughout his Hall of Fame career in the irons. Now another mark is about to be established as the all-time leading rider at Saratoga Race Course stands on the precipice of winning race No. 1,000 here at the Spa.