Untrapped seeks clean trip in Essex

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Untrapped will be looking for clear sailing Saturday when he runs in the $300,000 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park. He was the highweight and favorite in last month’s Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback, but 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.

The Essex, a 1 1/16-mile race for 4-year-olds and up, lost a leading contender Friday morning when trainer Wes Hawley said Thirstforlife would be scratched. The horse was injured vanning up from Fair Grounds on Thursday. Hawley said Thursday night he wanted to see how the horse was Friday morning, and while there was improvement, he said Thirstforlife was not 100 percent and will not run Saturday. The defection brings the field to 10.

KEY CONTENDERS

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

◗ Untrapped was on the Kentucky Derby trail last year at Oaklawn, where he ran third in the Grade 2 Rebel. He placed in five graded stakes overall last year before getting a derby of his own in September. Untrapped accounted for the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby in impressive fashion at Remington Park.

“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.

◗ Untrapped races for Arkansas resident Mike Langford.

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 career-high 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.

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.”

◗ Hedge Fund is a half-brother to millionaire Stanford.