Racing Towards The Travers Stakes by Stacy Hoff

Tomorrow, Saturday the 27, is the day of the Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs, NY, as any horse racing fan can tell you. This event, also called the Mid-Summer Derby, is one of the highlights of the racing season. And one of the most exciting, too. Is it a big deal? Big enough American Pharaoh ran this race after wining the Triple Crown.

Photo of the Nat. Museum of Racing

Before I wrote my upcoming novel, JOCKEYING FOR YOU, I knew nothing about horse racing. But researching the sport for my book was more exciting than I could have imagined. Now I’m passing my knowledge on to the next generation—my kids.

Last weekend my whole family traveled to Saratoga so I could show them about the sport, first hand. I took them both to the track and to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The Museum was first. It was a good place to start, giving an interesting, easy-to-understand overview. The wide range of exhibits, from movies to mannequins, was more than enough to keep my kids attention.

The race track was second. My boys “bet” on a horse, which came in last place. Good thing they didn’t actually use their allowance money. But they didn’t go home empty-handed. Famed jockey Samuel Camacho, Jr. gave them a pair of his racing goggles after my younger one got up the courage to ask. Better still, Camacho, Jr., who currently ranks number 10 by the New York Racing Association, was lovely to my boys, even autographing the goggles for them. (The picture of which is above).

For my family, horse racing was a sure bet for our weekend. I am glad my writing endeavors provided me with yet another wonderful way to spend my time. No matter how our horse comes in!

Will you be watching the Travers?

Stacy Hoff news update – DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC is a finalist in the “I Heart Indie” contest, as chosen by book clubs selected by the Las Vegas chapter of Romance Writers of America (LVRWA).  

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Filed under: A writer's life, For Family Fun, Great Places, Settings, Stacy Hoff