Hard Spun was supposed to be the king of the 3-year-old class this winter in Arkansas, but after a disappointing showing in the Southwest, he has shipped out of a town.

Teuflesberg, who lost a heart-breaker to Circular Quay at Saratoga last summer, led every step of the way in the Southwest, although that effort has failed to earn him much respect heading into today’s Rebel Stakes, the final prep for the Arkansas Derby.

Rather, attention is centered on a pair of lightly-raced hopefuls who have already flashed extreme amounts of talent.

Flying First Class was a sharp maiden winner on the Southwest Stakes undercard, and now lures Edgar Prado in for the mount for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. From post position number two, expect Flying First Class to get the jump on this field early, especially given the tendency for Teuflesberg to break slowly.

Curlin was an authoritative winner of a seven-furlong contest in his career debut at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 3, racing on the undercard of the Holy Bull. Curlin has since changed barns to Steve Asmussen, and has been training smartly at the Fair Grounds in advance of this.

Both Flying First Class and Curlin concede considerable experience to their Rebel rivals today, yet loom the ones to fear on raw ability nonetheless.

Either Teuflesberg or Officer Rocket, who finished second in the Southwest, have the credentials to run well, while Going Ballistic may be rolling late to spice things up as a capable long shot.