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THOROUGHBRED CLASSICS: THE TRAVERS STAKES w/BONUS FOOTAGE
The race is rich in tradition and is revered for the tremendous competitive battles that have gone on since its inaugural running in 1863. With all its glory, the Travers had never had a match-up more eagerly anticipated than in 1978 between AFFIRMED and ALYDAR - the two had staged possibly the most thrilling race in history when they raced almost every step of the way in unison in the Belmont Stakes. In the weeks leading up to the Travers, the stage was set for another war but to everyone's disappointment, the race didn't unfold as anticipated. AFFIRMED abruptly cut off ALYDAR on the far turn and won the race by 1-1/4 lengths. Considering the severity of the incident, the stewards handed down a harsh judgment by disqualifying AFFIRMED to second and placing ALYDAR first. That unsatisfying ending to the 1978 Travers was the final chapter in the historic rivalry between AFFIRMED and ALYDAR.
This interesting feature revisits other famous Travers races through the years: The roster of Travers winners reads like a, "Who's Who", of American racing; in 1962 another famous duel took place between JAIPUR and RIDAN - the two battled head-to-head for the entire race and when they hit the wire together, the crowd was just as exhausted as the horses.
In 1985, after years of eluding him, Hall of Fame jockey, ANGEL CORDERO, finally won the Travers aboard CHIEF'S CROWN.
For years the best horses have shown up at Saratoga to contest the Travers but it's unlikely that you'll ever see another AFFIRMED and ALYDAR...but then that only happens once in a lifetime!
An exhilarating look at some of the Travers' finest moments can be yours!
AS AN ADDED BONUS...A short segment called, "SARATOGA: GRAVEYARD OF FAVORITES", is also included at the very end of the main feature which shows some of racing's most famous legends falling victim to the, "Saratoga Curse"....losing at, "The Spa". The five races shown in their entirety include:
1) JIM DANDY running the best race of his life at the expense of racing's second Triple Crown Winner GALLANT FOX in the 1930 Travers
2) ONION overtaking the great SECRETARIAT in the 1973 Whitney
3) CHRIS EVERT (the 1974 Filly Triple Tiara Winner) losing to QUAZE QUILT (a half-sister to legendary SUSAN'S GIRL) in the 1974 Alabama
4) Five years later another Filly Triple Tiara Winner, DAVONA DALE, feels the burn of IT'S IN THE AIR in the 1979 Alabama
5) Canada's RUNAWAY GROOM delivers a shocker to CONQUISTADOR CIELO in the 1982 Travers
IN ADDITION TO THIS...a wonderful nostalgic segment on NATIVE DANCER is also included, as every horse entered for the 2005 Travers Stakes was directly descended to NATIVE DANCER - his legacy is still very much alive and kicking to this day!!
AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF...a lengthy HRTV segment and also one from the NBC station, VS, on the rich history of the Travers Stakes and the town of Saratoga Springs are included.
(48 Minutes)
Listing Info: | |
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Listing ID: | 183 |
Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
Category: | U.S. & Canadian Flat Racing |