At Saratoga Springs, N.Y., a boycott by...

At Saratoga Springs, N.Y., a boycott by jockeys seeking higher riding fees was narrowly averted for the Travers Stakes weekend and the rest of the Saratoga thoroughbred meeting.

The jockeys announced plans to withdraw from today’s program and threatened to boycott the remainder of the meet, including Saturday’s Travers Stakes.

However, after a closed-door meeting, John Van Lindt, chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, said the jockeys have agreed to finish out the meet, which ends Aug. 27, while the board considers their appeal for a new fee schedule.

Key to the dispute is the jockeys’ demand for 5% of the purse for both the second- and third-place finishers. There was no dispute on the 10% winner’s fee.

Stephan’s Odyssey was installed as an early 8-5 favorite in a Travers field of seven 3-year-olds.