Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, New York

The peaked roofs of Saratoga's grandstand on a summer afternoon, seen across the dirt track. Racing at Saratoga dates to 1863, and the Travers Stakes, first run in 1864, is the centerpiece of a summer meet that turns the spa town into racing's capital from July to Labor Day. Its knack for beating favorites earned it the name Graveyard of Champions, and the best-known upset came when 100-1 shot Jim Dandy beat Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox in the 1930 Travers. It also stood in for Belmont Park as host of the Belmont Stakes from 2024 to 2026.