Saratoga Springs, NY (My Sportsbook) - Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone is among the favorites for this Saturday's running of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Birdstone hasn't raced since surging past Smarty Jones to capture the Belmont on June 5 and keep thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown drought alive. The Nick Zito-trained colt will break from post position five under jockey Edgar Prado and was made a 3-1 choice in the morning-line.

Joining Birdstone at 3-1 is Lion Heart, who won the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on August 8. Lion Heart, trained by Patrick Biancone and ridden by Joe Bravo, finished second in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness.

The early favorite, though, for the Mid-Summer Derby is Purge at 2-1. Purge finished last at the Belmont Stakes after being spooked by the big crowd, but the colt is coming off a win in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on August 8 and will start from the third hole with John Velasquez aboard.

The Cliff's Edge, who won the Blue Grass Stakes in the spring and finished 4 1/2 lengths behind Purge in the Jim Dandy, is at 7-2. Shane Sellers has the mount.

Zito also trains The Cliff's Edge and has still another horse entered in the field of seven three-year-olds -- Sir Shackleton (10-1).

Eddington (15-1, post 1) and Suave (20-1, post 7) are also expected to run. Pat Day will ride Suave and will try to become the first five-time winner of the Travers.