Best Race on Travers Day?

The Travers usually showcases the best 3-year-olds in the country but the preceding race on the card might actually be the best 3-year-old event of the day.

The King's Bishop, set to go off at 5:10 p.m. (ET), appears to be as deep and talented of a group of sophomores assembled since the Kentucky Derby. The caveat here is that these horses are only running seven-eighths of a mile (as opposed to the 1 1/4 mile of the Derby) but they should put on a great display.

The favorite is the Todd Pletcher trained Munnings. The $1.7 million auction purchase is coming off a third place finish to Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell but before that reeled off two impressive victories. He has loads of talent and is finally living up to it.

Next on the list is Big Drama. The fifth place finisher in the Preakness has won six of 10 starts and narrowly lost the West Virginia Derby (but did beat Mine That Bird in that race.) The only race he lost in three tries at 7/8 mile was the Swale for which he was disqualified for bumping a horse in the stretch.

Capt. Candyman Can has done a lot in his short career. He's won five of nine and finished a good second to Travers favorite Quality Road in the Amsterdam a few weeks ago. He's also never lost in three starts at seven furlongs.

Making his return to the races in the King's Bishop is one of the stars from last year. Vineyard Haven, who became an "overnight sensation" last Fall when he won the Hopeful and Champagne, was purchased by racing powerhouse Godolphin Stable. The colt was then sent over to Dubai with hopes of making the Kentucky Derby. But after a disappointing fourth in the UAE and a minor injury, he was given a little time off and sent back to the U.S. to prepare for Saratoga. This is a tough spot to make his return but we'll know pretty quickly if he has any future.

Other to watch in this race include: Everyday Heroes (2nd to Munnings in June), Flat Bold (4th to Kensei in the Jim Dandy) and Not for Silver (2nd to Everyday Heroes in May).

The race will be run very quickly and we will likely see a few of them go on to the Breeders' Cup. I'm not even sure who I will bet in the race but the bottom line is, it's a very deep field will loads of talent.

If you watch the race on TV, remember some of these names. You'll hear from them again soon.