Saratoga Race Course is located in Saratoga Springs, New York and is open for six weeks each July running through Labor Day with top class thoroughbred racing.

The track has been open since 1864, and each summer the top horses, trainers and jockeys converge on the town for one of the strongest stakes schedules in the U.S.

A total of 36 graded stakes are run at the track, known as “The Spa” each summer. The marquee event each year is the Grade 1 Travers Stakes, which is known as the “Mid-Summer Derby.”

The race is for three-year-olds and usually features horses coming out of the Triple Crown races. The last Kentucky Derby winner to come back and win the Travers was Street Sense, who accomplished the feat in 2007.

The 2012 running of the Travers produced a deadheat between Alpha and Golden Ticket. Since the Travers winner’s colors are painted on the Travers Canoe that sits in the infield pond, a second canoe was brought in because of the deadheat.

Whirlaway is the only horse that has won the Triple Crown of racing, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes and come back to win the Travers.

John Velazquez is the leading active jockey in wins at the Spa. The hall of fame rider has won the riding title at Saratoga five times.

Ramon Dominguez won the 2012 jockey title with 54 winners. Dominguez also won the title in 2009.

Todd Pletcher leads all active trainers in wins at Saratoga, followed closely by hall of famer Bill Mott. Pletcher led all trainers at the 2012 meeting with 36 winners.

Graded Stakes run at Saratoga:

Grade 1
Alabama Stakes
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap
Ballerina Handicap
Coaching Club American Oaks
Diana Handicap
Forego Handicap
Go For Wand Handicap
Hopeful Stakes
King's Bishop Stakes
Personal Ensign Stakes
Ruffian Handicap
Spinaway Stakes
Sword Dancer Handicap
Test Stakes
Travers Stakes
Whitney Handicap
Woodward Stakes

Grade 2
Adirondack Stakes
Amsterdam Stakes
Ballston Spa Handicap
Bernard Baruch Handicap
Fourstardave Handicap
Honorable Miss Handicap
Jim Dandy Stakes
Lake George Stakes
Lake Placid Handicap
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes
Sanford Stakes
Saratoga Special Stakes

Grade 3
Glens Falls Handicap
James Marvin Stakes
Saranac Stakes
Schuylerville Stakes
Victory Ride Stakes
With Anticipation Stakes