KEY CONTENDERS

Blue Prize, by Pure Prize Last 3 Beyers: 96-84-90

◗ She was a front-running winner of the Falls City in her most recent start Nov. 23. The victory came after she had run second or third in five previous starts in the United States.

“I was happy for her, that she put everything together,” Correas said. “She’s always had a lot of talent. She needed to adapt herself to America.”

◗ Earlier in her career, Blue Prize had lagged off the pace and made a stretch run in a style that suited the configuration of the tracks she ran on in Argentina. Correas noted she was accustomed to racing down a three-eighths of a mile stretch as opposed to shorter lanes in the United States.

“If we wanted her to succeed here, we needed her to be closer to the pace,” he said.

◗ Blue Prize capped her championship year in Argentina with a win in her country’s Oaks, Correas said. Following the Falls City, he said, she was kept in “very light training” for about a month before she began serious preparations for the Azeri.

◗ James Graham has the mount for Merriebelle Stable.

Tiger Moth, by Street Sense Last 3 Beyers: 93-84-67

◗ Second to Blue Prize in the Falls City, she closed from last for a neck win in the Houston Ladies Classic Jan. 28.

“She’s doing every bit as well now as she was going into the Sam Houston race,” trainer Brad Cox said. “Things have to unfold for a horse with her running style.

“She likes Oaklawn. She won an allowance at Oaklawn last winter and was third in this race last year.”

◗ Florent Geroux has the mount for owner John D. Gunther.

Terra Promessa, by Curlin Last 3 Beyers: 83-78-43

◗ She was second to Streamline in last month’s Grade 3 Bayakoa at Oaklawn. It was the second start since July for Terra Promessa.

“Terra’s doing really well,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “Happy with how she’s training.

“I do think this is a very tough running of the Azeri.”