Travers to raise purse by $350,000 if American Pharoah runs

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) The New York Racing Association will raise the purse of the $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga to $1.6 million if Triple Crown winner American Pharoah starts in the race.

The announcement Saturday comes on the heels of Monmouth Park boosting its purse for Sunday's Haskell Invitational from $1 million to $1.75 million on the day American Pharoah arrived at the New Jersey track Wednesday.

Since American Pharoah became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years by sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, tracks all over the country have been devising ways to lure racing's biggest star. The Travers on Aug. 29 is one of several races under consideration by owner Ahmed Zayat for the colt's next start.