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Pyro was the lowest price of the individual betting interests
(Lou Hodges Jr.) |
The entry for all other three-year-olds was bet down to 3-1 favoritism at the
conclusion of Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager on Sunday evening. This
continued a historical trend, as the field has been favored in the opening pool
each year since the inception of the wager in 1999.
Impressive Risen Star S. (G3) winner PYRO (Pulpit) was the most popular
individual entry when closing at 5-1. The Steve Asmussen trainee finished second
behind eventual champion WAR PASS (Cherokee Run) in the Champagne S. (G1) and
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in his juvenile campaign, prior to his fantastic
closing run in the Risen Star. His win attracted immediate attention in Pool 1. Pyro, who was 12-1 on the Future Wager morning line, hovered near
those opening odds until Saturday's impressive victory, when his odds plummeted
to 5-1.
Pyro came out of the Risen Star, the traditional prep for the March 8
Louisiana Derby (G2), in good order and was doing well Sunday morning,
according to Scott Blasi, assistant to Asmussen.
"In fact, all the horses we ran Saturday came back well," Blasi said before
adding, "I would think there's a good chance we would run Pyro back in the
($600,000) Louisiana Derby. We know he likes this racetrack."
The aforementioned War Pass concluded the day at 6-1 for trainer Nick Zito.
The unbeaten champion is set to make his sophomore bow in an unspecified
allowance race at Gulfstream Park on February 23, with the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3)
on March 15 and $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G1) on April 5 as his two preps in advance of the Kentucky Derby
(G1).
Remsen S. (G2) and Iroquois S. (G3) hero COURT VISION (Gulch) closed at 15-1
for conditioner Bill Mott. The talented colt is possible for the $350,000 Fountain of
Youth S. (G2) on February 24 at Gulfstream Park. Unbeaten San Rafael S. (G3) victor EL GATO
MALO (El Corredor) and CashCall Futurity (G1) fourth MONBA (Maria's Mon) each
ended the day at 16-1.
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