Here is a look at the 10 horses who will be in the field for the 2011 Travers Stakes Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. We will go by post position.
1. Bowman's Causeway
Trainer: Chad C. Brown Jockey: Ramon Dominguez Odds: 12-1
In five 2011 starts Bowman's Causeway has a pair of second-plate finishes, including the 1 3/16th-mile Prince of Wales last month. Bowman's Causeway is not expected to be a factor in the race.
2. Rattlesnake Bridge
Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlin Jockey: John Velazquez Odds: 8-1
Only three starts as a 3-year-old for this, but he won the 1 1/16th mile Long Branch in his last start. Rattlesnake Bridge will be a first-time starter in a Grade 1 stakes race.
3. Moonshine Mullin
Trainer: Reade Baker Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson Odds: 20-1
Only two starts this season, a win in the Victoria Park Stakes at Woodbine and an impressive second-place finish in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes earlier in the Saratoga meet. A longshot in this field.
4. Ruler On Ice
Trainer: Kelly J. Breen Jockey: Jose Valdivia Odds: 6-1
Won the Belmont Stakes, third leg of the Triple Crown, as a 24-1 underdog. Finished third to Coil and Preakness winner Shackleford in last month's Haskell Invitational. The distance of the 1 1/4-mile Travers might be to his advantage.
5. Malibu Glow
Trainer: George Weaver Jockey: Rajiv Maragh Odds: 20-1
Malibu Glow's only start as a 3-year-old was the Belmont Stakes, where he finished fifth. Tough to know what you're getting here.
6. Raison d'Etat
Trainer: William I. Mott Jockey: Eddie Castro Odds: 10-1
Raison d'Etat has only one stakes race on his resume, the Curlin at Saratoga a few weeks ago. He finished second, and the Daily Racing Form calls him "a horse with upside."
7. Coil
Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Odds: 3-1
Won the Haskell Invitational, outrunning Triple Crown race winners Shackleford and Ruler On Ice. Has four victories in six career starts and is an obvious threat to win the race and put himself in the Horse of the Year conversation.
8. J.W. Blue
Trainer: Anthony W. Dutrow Jockey: Cornelio Velasquez Odds: 20-1
Has never won against a field of this type and would have to be considered unlikely to do so Saturday.
9. Stay Thirsty
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher Jockey: Javier Castellano Odds: 5-2
The morning-line favorite followed a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby with a second in the Belmont and a victory in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga. A horse who, by all accounts, is getting better.
10. Shackleford
Trainer: Dale L. Romans Jockey: Jesus Castanon Odds: 9-2
Won the Preakness, finished second in the Haskell and finished just out of the money at the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont. No reason to think he won't head down the backstretch on Saturday without a chance to at least finish in the money.