It's the biggest day at the Saratoga Race Course as the Travers Stakes takes off for the 149th time.
While getting up early on a Saturday morning sounds awful to some, for the die-hard racing fans, it's all part of the fun of Travers Day.
"Travers Day is just 'the day,’” said one fan. “This is the day you want to be here and the day you want to have fun."
Fans say it's not just about betting. They say the access you get at the Saratoga Race Course is like none other, like getting an autograph or meet and greet with your favorite jockey as they make their way to the paddock.
For the race itself, there's more than just money to be made. Local pride is also on the line with today's race.
Mechanicville native Chad Brown is hoping to finally have a horse win the race at Saratoga. His horses Good Magic and Gronkowski are the top two morning favorites in today's race.
Good Magic is the favorite to win the race at 2-1 odds.
During the draw on Tuesday, he spoke to our Marisa Jacques about what it would mean for him to win, a local trainer, to win Saratoga's biggest race.
"This is a fortunate place to be in,” said Brown. “You need to run to race. We get a lot of racing luck on Saturday."
Of course we have to mention the filly that's hoping to beat the boys today.
For the people who run the Travers at the Saratoga Race Course, they say they look forward to Travers Day every year as being the highlight of the 40-day meet:
"The commitment the intimacy of the track a bunch of things that go into Travers Day,” said NYRA Communications and Public Affairs Director Pat McKenna. “Obviously the racing is spectacular it's one of the greatest race days in North America."
NYRA says there are still tickets available at the gate, but admission will be capped at 50,000 people, for safety.
For a complete guide on making the most of the Saratoga Race Course experience, check out our guide.