SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – For the second consecutive year, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) generated a Travers Day record all-sources handle as fans wagered $52,129,344 on an afternoon that featured the 150th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers.
On-track handle was $11,657,493, which is also a new Travers Day record.
A paid crowd of 48,213 witnessed Code of Honor secure the fourth Travers victory for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and second for Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. Code of Honor, owned by William S. Farish and Lane’s End Farm, posted a final time of 2:01.05 in the Runhappy Travers.
For the first time in history, fans nationwide watched the Runhappy Travers action unfold on the FOX Broadcast Network as part of a special one-hour telecast. Overall, the FOX Sports family of networks broadcast 6 ½ hours of live racing action from Saratoga which included all seven graded stakes on Travers Day.
The 150th Runhappy Travers was one of six Grade 1s on Travers Day, including the Grade 1, $850,000 Sword Dancer; Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign presented by Lia Infiniti; Grade 1, $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina; Grade 1, $600,000 Forego presented by Encore Boston Harbor; and Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial presented by Runhappy. Rounding out the blockbuster card is the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa.
The 2019 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.
Travers Day Handle 2015-2019
2019 Travers Day
August 24, 2019
All-sources: $52,129,344
On-track: $11,657,493
2018 Travers Day
August 25, 2018
All-sources: $52,086,597
On-track: $11,466,264
2017 Travers Day
August 26, 2017
All-sources: $47,870,987
On-track: $10,862,095
2016 Travers Day
August 27, 2016
All-sources: $45,596,367
On-track: $10,778,993
2015 Travers Day
August 29, 2015
All-sources: $49,668,754
On-track: $11,472,451