According to Davidowitz, Summer Bird is the top contender and "might be even better than his victory in the 1 1/2 mile Belmont stakes. His 2nd to Rachel Alexandra in the 9-furlong Haskell at Monmouth on Aug. 2 was a fine prep for this and his local workouts have been razor sharp."

Tuley, on the other hand, likes Kensei for the win. "He is peaking at the right time."

Read Davidowitz's and Tuley's face-off piece, "2009 Travers Stakes: Contenders Review" to get their full take on the top contenders, how the race will be won, and their three picks to win, place and show.

And then make your way over at the Bodog Racebook to do a little 2009 Travers Stakes betting!
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Steve Davidowitz has published two highly acclaimed books on Thoroughbred racing and is a regular contributor to Daily Racing Form's Simulcast Weekly and DRF Plus. Mr. Davidowitz will be at Saratoga Racecourse on Aug. 28th and 29th signing copies of his newly released "Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st Century," published by DRF Press.

Dave Tuley was the Daily Racing Form's full-time Las Vegas correspondent from 2000 through May 2007 and now writes a weekly column for DRF and owns a new website called ViewFromVegas.com.

Saratoga's $1 million Grade I Travers Stakes will take place Aug. 23 with a field of 12 entries.

Grade I Belmont Stakes winner Da'Tara is 8/1. He placed last in the Grade II Jim Dandy. Pyro is the morning-line favorite at 7/2, and is more than ready for Saturday's race.

Pyro, who's trained by Steven Asmussen, ran second in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga July 27. The Travers field also includes Jim Dandy winner Macho Again, who is 6/1 in the morning line.

Harlem Rocker, trained by Todd Pletcher is the second choice at 4/1, just had a win in the Prince of Wales at Fort Erie July 13.

IEAH will be represented by Court Vision, trained by Bill Mott, at the Travers. Court Vision drew post 12 in the Travers, a post that IEAH principal Michael Iavarone was not happy with.

“The post doesn’t help us,” Iavarone said. “He will have to find himself a good position.”

Tale of Ekati drew post 1; trainer Barclay Tagg was pleased with the Colt's inside post. Morning line is 20/1.

“He loves the inside,” Tagg told the crowd at the Travers draw, which was held in the paddock. “Edgar [Prado] is a genius on the inside.”

Tale of Ekati finished fourth in his last race at Saratoga, the Jim Dandy.

“I am pretty high on my horse,” Tagg said. “I think he is good enough to win this (wide-open)."

For all your horse betting needs check out the Bodog Sportsbook.