All eyes will be on Saratoga on Aug. 23, as Sovereignty, the reigning Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) champion, will be running in the Travers Stakes (G1) as the horse to beat. The Into Mischief colt was unveiled as a massive 2-5 morning-line favorite when entries were drawn Aug. 17. With three straight victories already in the bag, Sovereignty now sets his sights on win No. 5 this season and a chance to tighten his grip as the undisputed leader of the 3-year-old division in the $1.25 million ‘Midsummer Derby’.
But before Sovereignty and other horses wait to compete hard in the most awaited race, fans are not sparing anyone in the New York Racing Association for the lineup. On August 17, the NYRA posted an update on X about the upcoming Travers Stakes. Their graphics post had the names of only five contestants for the race, including Sovereignty. The list includes Magnitude, Bracket Buster, Strategic Focus, McAfee, and the Kentucky Derby winner of 2025.
Fans, however, couldn’t hold their rage over the number of competitors. One fan started to stir the pot of backlash, saying, “5 horses in the Travers?!?” And it was followed by another comment by a fan, which said, “Am I supposed to be excited about a 5-horse field? Sorry, but this doesn’t interest me. You, @TheNYRA, are a sad excuse for a racing association.” It did not stop after a few comments, as people have been excited about the most-awaited Travers Stakes.
The post positions are set for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million @DraftKings Travers! pic.twitter.com/dj2CKVexfW
— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 17, 2025
After some fans were fumed, one of the Travers Cup fans tried to find out the possible reasons behind the relatively small field. “They are afraid of my little Sovereignty .” They may be onto something there. After all, a few days back, Sandman’s trainer made this confession. When he was asked why Sandman was trying grass turf rather than usual dirt, his trainer said, “I think Jim Dandy just showed, right now, that those horses (Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baeza) are better than us.”
And after these few comments, one fan couldn’t help but say, “What a sad excuse for a Grade 1. Sovereignty is indeed a great horse, but all summer 5-6 horse grade stakes have been the norm. The future doesn’t appear to be very positive for the average fan, horseplayer, or trainer/owner. The Sport of Kings is becoming precisely that.” One of the fans who has an interest in betting also said, “Is this a grade 2 race? Non-betting affair.”
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