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. Matt Hunter has more on the 146th "Midsummer Derby."
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Thursday marks exactly two months since American Pharoah captured the first Triple Crown in 37 years. Since that moment, NYRA executives have been trying to convince the colt's owner and trainer to bring him to the Travers Stakes.
While plans for American Pharoah's next race have not yet been established, Thursday NYRA executives announced they will cap Travers Day attendance at 50,000, regardless of whether the superstar horse runs at Saratoga.
Already, every reserved seat in the clubhouse, grandstand and dining areas have been sold out, along with clubhouse admission. All that's left are about 20,000 general admission tickets, which were placed on sale at Ticket Master's website Wednesday.
With or without American Pharoah, they're anticipating one of their biggest Travers in years.
"No matter what, we know the attention and interest in the Travers is at an all time high, this is a precautionary step to ensure that all of our fans, all of our horses, that are going to be here on Travers day have a great time," said John Durso, NYRA communications and public affairs director.
American Pharoah, of course, convincingly won the Grade I Haskell at New Jersey's Monmouth Park last Sunday.
While a Bloodhorse.com article quoted his owner, Ahmed Zayat, as saying he'd like his horse to ship to Saratoga for the Travers, but no plans have been made official.