KEY CONTENDERS

Thirstforlife, by Stay Thirsty Last 3 Beyers: 93-93-86

◗ He will get good support off his runner-up finish to The Player in the Grade 3 Mineshaft on Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds.

“Turning for home I was kind of thinking he might be third or fourth,” Hawley said. “The Player went out there and got pretty soft fractions. Corey Lanerie put a fantastic ride on [Thirstforlife] to be second.”

◗ Corey Lanerie has the mount on Thirstforlife from post 9.

“He’ll be in a good stalking position,” Hawley said. “I like the idea he’ll kind of be on the outside.”

Leofric, by Candy Ride Last 3 Beyers: 96-94-90

◗ He could go favored off his runner-up finish in the Razorback, but Leofric and stablemate Dazzling Gem, the 118-pound highweight, are not definite starters, said Brad Cox, who trains both for Steve Landers.

“We’re not sure what we’re going to do,” Cox said Wednesday. “Both could run, or we could scratch one. We’ll just kind of see how [other race options] unfold the next couple of days.”

◗ Leofric earned a careerhigh Beyer of 96 in the Razorback.

“He ran a tremendous race, and if he runs Saturday, he’ll probably need that same effort to get it done,” said Cox.

Untrapped, by Trappe Shot Last 3 Beyers: 91-93-93

◗ The Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby winner was the Razorback favorite and finished fourth after trouble. This time around, trainer Steve Asmussen wants a couple of things for Untrapped.

“A cleaner trip and a chance to run his race,” he said.

“He’s a nice horse. I don’t think we’ve gotten the Oklahoma Derby race out of him yet this year, but I do think he has that caliber of race in him.”

◗ Untrapped closed with authority in the Oklahoma Derby. The runner-up, Battle of Midway, returned in his next start to win the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Hedge Fund, by Super Saver Last 3 Beyers: 94-85-94

◗ The runner-up in last year’s Grade 3 Illinois Derby, he is making his second start since May. He launched his season Feb. 11 with an allowance win at Gulfstream.

“He ran very well first start off the bench, and has been training well since then,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He’s a horse that showed talent as a 3-year-old and we’re hoping he’ll go on to a successful 4-year-old campaign.”