Travers Stakes Wicked Strong “needs local support!”

Travers Stakes Wicked Strong “needs local support!” : The 145th running of the G1 Travers Stakes takes place on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The “Mid-Summer Derby” is worth $1,250,000 at a distance of 1 ¼ miles on the dirt track. The Travers Stakes (5:45 PM ET post time) is for three-year-olds and the 2014 addition attracts some of the biggest stars in horse racing including fan-favorite Wicked Strong, who only seems to get better as the year progresses. Saratoga is only a short three-and-a-half hour drive from Boston so the Spa’s grandstand better be ready for quite a few Wicked Strong fans!

Wicked Strong is trained by James Jerkens and owned by Centennial Farms. Centennial Farms President Donald Little, Jr. told Lady and The Track that Wicked Strong seems better than ever saying, “All is good on the Wicked front. He is coming into the Travers in great shape. Jimmy Jerkens has done a magnificent job to keep him in form. Wicked has matured and is quite professional. He has grown into quite an impressive looking horse.”

During Wicked Strong’s Triple Crown campaign donations were made to The One Fund, helping those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. Donald Little, Jr. explained that the Travers Stakes will also benefit The One Fund saying, “The partners have all agreed to continue with the 5% donation that was initially to be in place for the Triple Crown.”

Bostonians are encouraged to cheer on Wicked Strong in the 2014 Travers Stakes. Donald commented, “We need local support so load up the car and come to the Spa for a Wicked good time!”

The “people’s horse of New England” won the hearts of fans ever since his first place finish in the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct on April 5, 2014. Wicked Strong’s Triple Crown trail consisted of a fourth place finish in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. The Belmont Stakes resulted in a Dead Heat with California Chrome. Wicked Strong most recently crossed the Saratoga finish line first in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes (watch replay) on July 26, 2014 in front of Tonalist, Kid Cruz, Commanding Curve, and Ulanbator, who are all competing against each other once again in the 2014 Travers Stakes.

Wicked Strong teams up with regular jockey Rajiv Maragh for the 2014 Travers Stakes with 7-2 morning line odds.

The Travers Stakes is the 12th race of the day with a 5:45 PM ET post time. Saratoga also features the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes, the $500,000 Kettle One King’s Bishop Stakes, and the $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes.

Related Links:
Travers Stakes Day Events & Fashion
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Travers Stakes Post Positions & Odds 2014
1 Commanding Curve 15-1
2 Bayern 2-1
3 Charge Now 15-1
4 V.E. Day 15-1
5 Viva Morjorca 20-1
6 Tonalist 3-1
7 Wicked Strong 7-2
8 Kid Cruz 12-1
9 Ulanbator 30-1
10 Mr. Speaker 10-1

Wicked Strong Breezes at Saratoga on August 16, 2014: