Next stop, 3-year-old stakes. The last of 11 Kentucky Derby qualifying stakes for 2-year-olds  takes place Saturday at Fair Grounds with the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile stakes drew a field of eight who will vie for the qualifying points for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve that will be awarded to the top five finishers on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.

1. Next Level (20-1): Was running in stakes as a maiden and finished third in the Grade 1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity, only to end up seventh by 23 lengths in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes. Broke his maiden last time out at this track at the distance, but the speed rating was mediocre at best.

JOCKEY: David Cohen; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux

2. Catching Freedom (5-1): Won his debut nicely and then finished fourth in an optional-claiming race while posting a better speed figure. Has a nice turn of late speed and should be a factor in the final furlong.

JOCKEY: Corey Lanerie; TRAINER: Brad Cox

3. Risk It (5-1) Comes off a troubled fourth in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. Was a game second in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes before that and should be a main threat if he can work out a smooth trip.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

4. Neat (12-1): Won his last two starts, but they were on turf. His breeding indicates he should handle dirt and is worth a close look if the odds are right.

JOCKEY: Reylu Gutierrez; TRAINER: Rob Atras

5. Footprint (20-1): Was second in a Churchill Downs allowance race last time, but that was in an off-the-turf race. Should find the competition much more testing here.

JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

Nash won by 10 ¼ lengths at Churchill Downs Nov. 12. (Coady Photography)

6. Nash (7-5): He definitely looked like Kentucky Derby material in his second start. After a second in his debut, he romped by 10 ¼ lengths in a Churchill Downs maiden race. He earned a dazzling speed figure for his gate-to-wire victory, and anything close to that effort should be enough to land him in the winner’s circle.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox

7. Snead (6-1): After a maiden win, he scored by 7 1/4 lengths in an optional-claiming race here at Fair Grounds. He’s gotten better with each start and can make his presence felt with continued improvement.

JOCKEY: Jareth Loveberry; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

8. Track Phantom (7-2): Flashed keen early speed in a Churchill Downs maiden win but will have to overcome the outside post while facing the likelihood of a quick pace. There are obstacles in his path but he’s surely a highly talented sort.

JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

THE PICK: Nash

LIVE LONGSHOT: Snead

SUPERFECTA: 6-3-7-8