SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Alpha and long-shot Golden Ticket finished in a historic dead heat for the win in the $1 million Travers Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
It appeared as if Golden Ticket would pull off a huge upset all by himself in the field of 11 3-year-olds. But 2-1 favorite Alpha closed strongly in the final yards and the two hit the wire together.
The photo finish sign flashed on the toteboard, and a few minutes later, the crowd roared when the dead heat sign made it official. It was the first official dead heat for win in the 143 runnings of the Travers. The 1874 Travers ended in a dead heat, but Attila was declared the official winner after a runoff with Acrobat.
Alpha paid $4.10 and 33-1 shot Golden Ticket returned $26.80 to win.
