Anyway, today is Travers Day and we happen to have a filly, Wonder Gadot, in the race. Wonder Gadot gets her name from current Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot.
The last time a filly was entered into the Travers was 1979 with Davona Dale, who finished 4th. Only one filly has ever won the Travers Stakes, her name was Lady Rotha, back in 1915. That same year, Regret, also a filly, was the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby. 40 fillies have entered, but only 2 fillies have won ever since. Just the day before the 1915 Derby, the Lusitania was sunk in the Celtic Sea by German U-boats, prompting our entrance into WW1. Regret was owned by Harry Payne Whitney, father-in-law of Saratoga socialite Mary Lou Whitney. Harry's brother-in law was aboard the Lusitania and did not survive. Regret's bloodlines are still going today, with 2012 Danzig Stakes winner Jake'N'Elwood amongst others.
Regret is on the Horseshoe Walk of Fame outside the Saratoga entranceway
The last time a filly was entered into the Travers was 1979 with Davona Dale, who finished 4th. Only one filly has ever won the Travers Stakes, her name was Lady Rotha, back in 1915. That same year, Regret, also a filly, was the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby. 40 fillies have entered, but only 2 fillies have won ever since. Just the day before the 1915 Derby, the Lusitania was sunk in the Celtic Sea by German U-boats, prompting our entrance into WW1. Regret was owned by Harry Payne Whitney, father-in-law of Saratoga socialite Mary Lou Whitney. Harry's brother-in law was aboard the Lusitania and did not survive. Regret's bloodlines are still going today, with 2012 Danzig Stakes winner Jake'N'Elwood amongst others.
Regret is on the Horseshoe Walk of Fame outside the Saratoga entranceway
Due to the fact that the stride of male horses tend to be longer, they tend to cover ground faster than their female counterparts. This is not the case for today's filly entered in the Travers. Wonder Gadot is the largest horse in the paddock. The payoff for breeding retired horses is greater for males, they can spawn multiple horses, while the female counterpart can only render one horse a year. Female horse's winning percentages is around 66 percent, while male horse counterparts are around 69 percent, so, that leaves some unanswered questions.
Female jockeys' ascent through the ranks of horse racing is another aspect yet to gain more traction. Rosie Napravnik is the only female jockey in history to have ridden in all 3 triple crown races.
Physique of the female vs male, sexism, and layoffs due to pregnancy seems to be the factors as to why this has been how history has unfolded.
I hope Wonder Gadot makes history today at the Saratoga Racetrack. She will be giving tough competition to Good Magic, the favorite in the race, who's owners are Saratogians. Chad Brown, Good Magic's trainer is also a native Saratogian. Good Magic is brother to Travers winner Keen Ice, and Palace Malice. The Sire horse that they come from is Curlin, a horse named after a black Union officer named Charlie Curlin.
My picks for today is, Wonder Gadot to win Good Magic 2nd by a head. Exacta box it!
Baby Mia at The Travers 2018
