travers stakes

The story lines heading into the 144th Travers Stakes were a plenty.  But Will Take Charge wasn't a big part of any of them.

Since 1961, the colors of the Travers winning owner have graced the waters of Saratoga's infield pond.  Today, for the first time, and in honor of the exhilarating dead heat between Golden Ticket and Alpha two canoes were launched.

Saratoga Race Course's 144th meet hit its unequivocal peak this weekend, with five Grade Ones, a Grade Two, a host of other great races, and quite simply a have-to-see-it finish in the crown jewel of summer racing - The Travers.

In literally the least predictable result in race history, Alpha and Golden Ticket finished in a dead heat, both claiming the 2012 Travers Stakes.

In a final bit of Travers preview, Joe Bianchino talked with retired jockey Richard Migliore as part of the 2 Guys 1 Mic Podcast.  Check out the audio below.

Wednesday, we gave you a brief look at each horse in the field, today, we tell you how the race will set up, and what you should be looking to bet for the 143rd Travers Stakes.

The historically short crescendo of the Saratoga Race Course Meet reaches its climax on Saturday, with the 143rd running of the Grade One, million dollar Travers. With the post positions now drawn, we take a brief look at each horse in the field.

The Travers stake race is 1 of the big prizes in horse racing. Held later on this August at legendary Saratoga Raceway. One of the great horses that would appear is Gemologist, the winner of the Wood Memorial. However the horses status for the race is still unknown, but looking less and less likely every day...

As the northeast prepares for Hurricane Irene and all the rain water it'll bring, there was some irony at the 142nd Travers as Stay Thirsty wins the Mid-Summer Derby. Stay Thirsty was able to defeat Preakness winner Shackleford and Belmont winner Ruler on Ice.

The Travers Stakes is what makes the Saratoga Race Course so special.  It's the one race everyone looks forward to each year. In addition to the great horse racing, the Midsummer Derby is also known for something else - people camping out overnight to get a spot in the coveted Saratoga picnic area.

Well folks, it's all come down to this.  The Saratoga season has been a slow crescendo to this moment.  The Jim Dandy, Whitney, Sword Dancer, Alabama - all mere preludes to this Saturday's running of the 142nd Travers Stakes.

We're just 3 days away from the 142nd running of the Travers Stakes - the Travers is scheduled for Saturday, August 27th. Today, the field and odds were set.