Travers Diaries: A Saturday of Surprises

Saratoga Race Course is America’s oldest sporting venue, so it’s no surprise that the place has a few nicknames. Most call it The Spa after the mineral-rich spring water found in the area; however, its other nickname is the Graveyard of Favorites. That’s because Saratoga has been home to some of horse racing’s most surprising defeats: Onion beat Secretariat here in 1973; and if you’ve ever used the term “upset” to describe an unexpected triumph, legend has it that it’s because a horse by that name beat Man o’ War at Saratoga in 1917.
When the news came down that American Pharoah was confirmed to run in the Travers Stakes, then, I think all fans of horse racing history knew that the Mid-Summer Derby (as the Travers is affectionately known) would be the biggest challenge of the colt’s career. Accordingly, people arrived in droves on Saturday for the biggest weekend of the Spa meet. In the hours leading up to the Travers Stakes, the track was as crowded as I’ve ever seen it.

Of course, horse racing fans often have a little fun with their fashion, and when a Triple Crown winner shows up to the track people dress accordingly. I spotted a couple of Pharoahs wandering the crowd:

As well as lots of people dressed in turquoise and yellow, the colors of the Zayat family’s racing silks worn by jockey Victor Espinoza.

I also did a little celebrity spotting. Here’s restaurateur Danny Meyer (center) who created such delectable destinations as Shake Shack.

Thank you, sir, for your contributions both to society and my waistline. America (and the people I buy belts from) are in your debt. 
I also spotted Marylou Whitney, known as the Queen of Saratoga for her countless philanthropic contributions to the city that she calls home as well as for her love of the horses that run here, watching the races among the crowd. She’s an icon here at the Spa, and it seemed so perfect that she be there among other racing fans for such a spectacular day of sport.

I love that yellow, by the way. Very summer chic!
The Travers Stakes day undercard was packed with sensational racing. Many of the stakes events were Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In qualifiers, which means that the winners would earn a berth to the World Championships held at Lexington’s Keeneland Race Course on October 30-31. 
Sheer Drama took a star turn in the Personal Ensign Stakes, earning a place in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. 

Unbridled Forever got her place in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint with a victory in the Ballerina Stakes.

One of my favorite horses, Private Zone, romped home in the Priority One Jets Forego Stakes to solidify his place in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

The Sword Dancer is a Win and You’re In race for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, and Flintshire defeated a formidable group with ease to earn his place in October 31’s race.

When Flintshire crossed the wire, the air at Saratoga grew even more electric: it was Travers Stakes time. A plane circled overhead, pulling a banner wishing American Pharoah luck:

And fans clustered around the paddock, straining to get a look at the Travers contenders as they made their way into the saddling area.

Suddenly, a cheer went up as cell phone cameras raised in unison, and I knew the Travers horses were almost in the parade ring. 

Upstart was the first horse to arrive, and he seemed relatively unfazed by the hullaballoo around him.

And then the Pharoah arrived. He was surrounded by cameramen and cops, and shouts of “good luck!” and other well wishes followed him as he made his way into the paddock.

Trust me, he’s in there somewhere. 
As soon as American Pharoah cleared the walkway into the paddock, his entourage dispersed and he was alone with Eduardo and Georgie to parade for fans. The trio walked the entire circumference of the walking ring, giving every person lining the fence an opportunity to see them.

When he arrived at the other end of the paddock near the Shake Shack and bar, he stopped to pose, standing like a statue for his admiring fans.

After a few moments, American Pharoah retreated to the saddling area to have his tack put on as people inside the paddock area milled about, looking at the various Travers Stakes contenders, and the jockeys emerged to meet their mounts.

Finally, the horses emerged from their saddling stalls, and with the call of “riders up!” their jockeys were aboard. Then the Travers-bound Thoroughbreds made their way to the main track as fans strained to get a final look.

As the horses warmed up on the dirt of the race course, I hustled to my spot in the photo line and got ready to shoot the biggest race of the Saratoga meet. The crowd behind me was bursting with anticipatory energy, and a cacophony went up as the gates sprang open and the Travers horses began their race toward history. 

American Pharoah led the field by a few lengths as the horses thundered down the stretch and into the first turn with his ears pricked forward in his usual style.

At that point, all I could do was put my camera down and watch the action on the jumbotron in the infield as American Pharoah did battle with Frosted along the backstretch. He fended him off, and as he rounded the turn for home and started the final push to the finish line, it looked like he may have had the Travers in the bag. 

The crowd certainly thought so, and I took a quick moment to get some reaction shots from the myriad Pharoah fans rooting their favorite horse home.

But Saratoga isn’t called the Graveyard of Favorites for nothing; it’s a major accomplishment to win the Travers Stakes, and the Pharoah had already shown the size of his heart in the opening panels of the race with his duel with Frosted. As the Thoroughbreds were only a sixteenth of a mile from the finish line, Keen Ice came on strongly.

Keen Ice was full of run and was roaring up on the outside of American Pharoah under a masterfully timed ride by jockey Javier Castellano. In just a few jumps, Keen Ice caught the tiring Triple Crown winner.

You can actually see the moment that Pharoah’s jockey Victor Espinoza knew he was beat:

Just a few strides later, Keen Ice swept under the wire 3/4 of a length the best to become the 146th winner of the Travers Stakes.

The crowd seemed stunned behind me; some fans were downright heartbroken.

But American Pharoah had shown the depth of his courage on the track that afternoon, and as he returned to the finish line to have his saddle removed, Saratoga fans gave him a standing ovation. It brought tears to my eyes then, and it does as I write this. It was a moving tribute to the sportsmanship shown just by bringing the colt to the Travers and running in front of so many fans at such a historic venue.

When Keen Ice galloped back to the winner’s circle, he was greeted by tumultuous applause as well in recognition of his mighty victory. Jockey Javier Castellano waved to the crowd, grinning from ear to ear.

After parading for fans, the blanket of Travers Stakes carnations was laid over Keen Ice’s neck, and owner Jerry Crawford of Donegal Racing united with his colt to lead him in a few circles for the assembled photographers.

Javier doffed his cap to the racing gods, then the trio of Crawford, Keen Ice and Castellano entered the crowded winner’s circle to get their photo taken.

Horse races are run for the competition; that’s the whole point of the sport. Keen Ice proved himself to be a worthy emulator on Saturday, and American Pharoah was valiant even in defeat. Keen Ice has danced every dance since the Belmont Stakes, and in his Travers win he finally found the glory that he’s been chasing. American Pharoah showed up for his fans; and while some may be sad that he’ll leave Saratoga without a new blanket of flowers, most horse racing lovers will rejoice that we have had the opportunity to watch the continued career of that most elusive of creatures in the modern era: the Triple Crown winner.
Thank you, as always, for joining me. I’ll be back with more photoblogs of the Road to the Breeders’ Cup as we get closer to the World Championships of horse racing.