Although the Ohio Derby has lost its graded status, the purse has been increased to $300,000, up from $100,000 in recent years. A full field of 12 3-year-old horses were entered for Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile race, the highlight of the ThistleDown meet. In the past 18 months, 1,000 slot machines were installed at the Cleveland track, which helped fuel the purse increase. Jessica’s Star is looking for his fourth consecutive win. He won the Grade 3 Iowa Derby in his last outing on June 28 at Prairie Meadows. Jessica’s Star, trained by Mike Stidham, is 3 for 3 over wet tracks and rain is possible Saturday. “It definitely wouldn’t bother me if it rains Saturday,” Stidham said. “That will move him up even more. He loves the off track.” Jessica’s Star worked at Arlington Park last Saturday and Stidham was pleased with what he saw. “He has kept his form well over the past three races and he is in top form. I expect a big race from him Saturday.” Jessica’s Star drew post 9 and there is an abundance of speed to his inside, including Almost Famous, ridden by Calvin Borel. “I am hoping Borel’s horse won’t get loose on an easy lead,” Stidham said. “There seems to be a lot of speed to go with him.” Jessica’s Star has come from off the pace in his last three victories and that style should suit him well in the Ohio Derby. OHIO DERBY (RACE 8) KEY CONTENDERS JESSICA’S STAR (Last 3 Beyers: 89-84-86) ◗ Unraced at 2, has won 4 of 6 starts this year. ◗ Has a three-race win streak, including the Grade 3 Iowa Derby at the same 1 1/16-mile distance. ◗ Has the stalking style needed to win in a speed-laden field. ALMOST FAMOUS (Last 3 Beyers: 26-100-86) ◗ Earned the race-high Beyer of 100 two starts ago in a second-level allowance race at Churchill for trainer Patrick Byrne. ◗ Has the only triple digit Beyer Speed figure in the race. ◗ Finished third in the Grade 3 Matt Winn at Churchill in his last start. SAA MI (Last 3 Beyers: 78-86-83) ◗ Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Jeremy Rose, won maiden event May 3 at Churchill Downs two starts ago. ◗ Had a bullet work Tuesday at Churchill Downs. GEORGE LEWIS MEMORIAL STAKES (Race 6) KEY CONTENDERS DENIRO’S SAINT (Last 3 Beyers: 41-32-65) ◗ Won last impressively against males in the Petro Memorial locally going 1 1/16 miles, and the added sixteenth of a mile seems within her scope. ◗ Finished second in the Queen City Oaks last year, at the same 1 1/8-mile distance as the Lewis Memorial. UNCLE VIRGIL (Last 3 Beyers: 49-43-51) ◗ Has a win at the distance when taking the Ruff Kirchner last year at Beulah Park, earning a Beyer figure of 72. ◗ Trained by Anthony Lowry, Uncle Virgil was beaten only a neck in his last out. RAISE THE REWARD (Last 3 Beyers: 51-48-45) ◗ Used the Gendleman as a prep last year to win this race, recorded similar Beyer in the Gendleman this year in last race.