The Triple Crown winner’s owner from Teaneck said minutes after American Pharoah’s convincing win in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday that he had “no clue” where the colt would run next.
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The record for Travers Day attendance was in 2003, when a reported 66,000 came through the turnstiles.
Last week, NYRA said it would raise the purse of the Travers to $1.6 million from $1.25 million if American Pharoah enters the race.
Texas Red, who won the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, and Frosted, who finished second to Texas Red and second to American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes, loom as opponents.
Durso said ticket sales reflect that excitement. “All of us have our fingers crossed”, said Durso. “Our security officials were also able to plan accordingly”.
As the world waits to hear where horse racing’s biggest star will make his next start, the New York Racing Association announces a change for its biggest day of the Saratoga Season.
By making the announcement just over three weeks in advance of the race day, the hope was that fans would plan accordingly prior to travelling to the Spa.
NYRA officials anticipate that all Travers Day tickets will be sold out in advance of August 29. We should learn more about that in coming days.
According to Durso, an appearance by American Pharoah wasn’t the reason behind the move.
If Ahmed Zayat has his way, American Pharoah’s next race will be the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.
While all reserved seating, dining and clubhouse admission are already sold out of for the Mid-Summer Derby, grandstand general admission is still available. All that’s left are about 20,000 general admission tickets, which were placed on sale at Ticket Master’s website Wednesday. General admission can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com as well as in person at the NYRA Box Office at Saratoga Race Course.
The gates will open at 7 a.m. on Travers Day, with post time for the first race at 11:35 a.m.
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NYRA officials anticipate that all Travers Day tickets will be sold out in advance of race day.
