Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course 2012 Hansen

America’s oldest horserace for thoroughbred champions, the Travers Stakes, is scheduled for Saturday August 25th. The Travers Stakes is for three-year-old male thoroughbreds and is a G1 race and is often referred to as the “Mid-Summer Derby” in Saratoga.

Our white hero Hansen is among the many awesome contenders running in the 143rd Travers Stakes. “He worked pretty good; everything is on schedule,” trainer Mike Maker said. “He’s going to fly up Monday.” Maker said Hansen would gallop on Tuesday or Wednesday at Saratoga. Jockey Javier Castellano, seeking his fourth Travers victory, will ride Hansen for the Mid-Summer Derby.

Hansen’s owner Dr. Kendall Hansen said, “I texted with Maker, and he said the horse went very well (in Saturday’s breeze) and is very happy. He ran recently, so it’s just a maintenance work. I’m glad the long-term weather looks like moderate temperatures because his two worst races were in the heat.” Dr. Hansen also added, “We’ve never asked him out of the gate. We’ve just kind of let him lay where he wants with his own natural speed, but we’re thinking about sending him this time, let him open up, get him relaxed on the front end and see if he can get the 10 furlongs that way.”

The Travers Stakes is run on 1 ¼ mile of dirt. There are a few other favorites and strong contenders including Alpha and my personal favorite Street Life. My ultimate pick is Hansen…I have a soft spot for Javier Castellano and feel he can lead The Great White Hope to victory on Saturday.

Lady and The Track would like to wish Dr Hansen, Trainer Mike Maker, Jockey Javier Castellano, and the beautiful Hansen the best of luck during the 2012 Travers Stakes.

2012 Travers Stakes Contenders as of Aug. 20 include:
Hansen
Alpha
Street Life
Nonios
Five Sixteen
Liaison
Neck N’ Neck
Fast Falcon
Atigun
Stealcase