Head Photo made possible through the dedication and patience of Bob Hughes

The first Travers Day of the new Century proved  to be a  memorable one. Beautiful weather and a  fine racing card produced a record Travers Day Crowd of 55,116  which eclipsed last year's record crowd. Records were also set for on track and commingled handles. Despite the large crowd it was a fine day to be at the races.

Left Bank in the Paddock

Early in the Day, Champion sprinter Artax was paraded between the 4th & 5th races. Artax was trying to make a comeback to run in this year's Breeders' Cup, but plans were scuttled by a slight inflammation in one of his legs. Artax will return to stallion duties at Taylor Made Farm in Lexington, Kentucky

Artax with handler Reynaldo Marrero Lara & Rider Dale McKeown

In the Kings Bishop Stakes (a Grade I sprint race for 3-year-olds) More than Ready showed that he was. Off as the 6 to 5 favorite More Than Ready gathered his first victory since a January dead heat in the Hutcheson. Looks like this steed likes the sprints.

The Travers 2000 edition proved to be an exciting renewal. Dwyer winner Albert the Great and Triple Crown contender Unshaded dueled the length of the stretch. Unshaded grabbed the win at the wire by a head. The record crowd got their money's worth.

                  An exciting finish to Travers 2000