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KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT MARCH 13, 2008 by James Scully PYRO (Pulpit) didn't disappoint his many supporters in Saturday's Louisiana Derby (G2), recording a three-length victory as the 4-5 favorite, and the Steve Asmussen-trained colt was bet down to 4-1 favoritism in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager over the weekend. Pyro is a leading Kentucky Derby (G1) contender by virtue of two convincing wins this season, but there are still holes in his resume. At some point, Pyro will have to deal with a legitimate pace. After winning the Risen Star (G3) behind snaillike fractions, Pyro was expected to receive a truer test on Saturday, and Asmussen even assured us of a realistic set-up from Pyro's stablemate, J BE K (Silver Deputy), who would be going right to the front in an attempt to lead wire to wire. Jockey Kent Desormeaux apparently had different plans, taking a hold of J Be K after the gates opened, and Desormeaux allowed 60-1 MY PAL CHARLIE (Indian Charlie) to crawl along unopposed on the front end during the early stages. The pacesetter reached the three-quarters mark in 1:13 4/5. Pyro's final times in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star are also subject to criticism. He finished the Louisiana Derby in 1:44 2/5. One race earlier in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Proud Spell (Proud Citizen) turned the same distance in 1:44. And the early fractions in the Oaks (:24 2/5, :48 and 1:12 4/5) weren't significantly faster than the Louisiana Derby. On February 9, Pyro completed the 8 1/2 furlongs of the Risen Star in 1:44 3/5. One race earlier that afternoon, Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie) ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 3/5. Three-year-old fillies are running faster than him on the same program. Speed ratings are another concern. After earning a 96 in the Risen Star, Pyro hit the century-mark in the Louisiana Derby, registering a 100 BRIS Speed figure, but his 2008 Speed numbers are still lower that he was earning at the end of his juvenile season. Despite these knocks, Pyro must be given his due. He dominated the three-year-old ranks in Louisiana this winter. After capturing only one-of-four starts at two, Pyro is winning this year, and winning convincingly. He's much-improved from that perspective. A confirmed closer, Pyro needed to pass 10 horses after racing in last for most of the Risen Star, but he displayed more tactical speed in the Louisiana Derby, racing closer to the pace in fourth during the early stages. As a result, his BRIS Early Pace numbers increased by about 20 points from his seasonal bow. Pyro is also showing the ability to overcome adversity. He had to wait and change course in the stretch run of the Risen Star, and his momentum was stopped during the Louisiana Derby. The colt advanced into contention approaching the far turn on Saturday, but jockey Shaun Bridgmohan had no place to go and threw the brakes on. Pyro patiently waited until splitting rivals around the eighth pole, and he accelerated away with a dynamic turn of foot once clear. His stop-and-go versatility figures to serve him well in a 20-horse field at Churchill Downs. The top challengers entering the Louisiana Derby failed to perform well, with TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat) and MAJESTIC WARRIOR (A.P. Indy) checking in sixth and seventh, respectively, but the competition isn't important to Steve Asmussen. He's laying the groundwork for the first Saturday in May. The outstanding conditioner played catch-up with a lightly raced Curlin (Smart Strike) in 2007, but he had the opportunity to plot a long-range course this year in pursuit of his first Kentucky Derby win. And his colt appears to have the tools to get it done. Critics may want to dismiss Pyro's two efforts so far this year as fake, but don't be surprised to see the colt keep improving over the next six weeks. He will receive his final Kentucky Derby prep in the April 12 Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland. My Pal Charlie captured a $50,000 maiden claiming event two starts earlier and entered the Louisiana Derby off an entry-level allowance win at Fair Grounds. He's headed in the right direction for trainer Al Stall, but Desormeaux should get a present from his connections for allowing My Pal Charlie an easy lead on a slow pace. Circumstances will be different next time. YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentlemen) turned in a commendable effort in his dirt debut. Last after six furlongs, he launched a big rally to reach contention at the top of the stretch and might have cost himself second when ducking out around the eighth pole. The Paddy Gallagher charge suffered his first setback on Saturday, but he proved something to doubters who thought he was strictly a synthetic track/turf horse. Yankee Bravo will make his next appearance in the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (G1). Tale of Ekati proved to be a mighty disappointment on Saturday, racing at the back of the pack the entire way after breaking a step slow. The Grade 2 winner had been working in South Florida since mid-January, but Barclay Tagg waited until almost mid-March to run him, opting for only two Derby prep races. That strategy looks terrible now. Majestic Warrior, who was also returning from a lengthy layoff, finished a spot behind Tale of Ekati, but the lightly raced colt at least showed signs of life in a race he desperately needed, offering a move from the back of the pack to reach contention before flattening out in the stretch. It's tough to envision him being ready for the Derby off such a light campaign, but Majestic Warrior still owns some promise. In Saturday's Gotham S. (G3), VISIONAIRE (Grand Slam) notched his first stakes win with a stirring late rally through the fog at Aqueduct. After breaking a step slow from his outside post, the chestnut colt dropped far back in the nine-horse field. He began picking up rivals on the far turn, but Visionaire didn't appear to have any chance of catching TEXAS WILDCATTER (Monarchos) entering the stretch drive. That rival swooped to the lead on the far turn and turned for home with a clear lead and a head full of steam. Visionaire gamely wore down his rival late, catching Texas Wildcatter in the final jump for a nose decision, and the Michael Matz-trained colt recorded his first triple-digit Speed rating (100) in the process. He's a promising colt indeed. After easily breaking his maiden over Elysium Fields (El Prado [Ire]) at Laurel Park last November, Visionaire opened his sophomore campaign with a 5 1/2-length romp in a one-mile, entry-level allowance at Gulfstream. He made his stakes and two-turn debut in the Risen Star and raced close to the pace before finishing third, beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Pyro. Visionaire benefited from that experience, displaying a ton of heart in the slop at Aqueduct, and he's eligible to keep moving forward for his Derby-winning conditioner. We don't know how far he'll run, but Visionaire impressed in the 1 1/16-mile Gotham. The Blue Grass is next. Texas Wildcatter is an improving sort for Todd Pletcher. He entered the Gotham in solid form, recording BRIS Late Pace ratings of 111 and 108 in his two previous outings, and he closed a lot of ground into a slow pace when finishing third in the Whirlaway S. last time out. The gray colt came up a little short in the Gotham, but he finished 7 3/4 lengths clear of third and owns a favorable pedigree for a classic route of ground. It will be interesting to see whether Texas Wildcatter can carry his form forward in the Wood Memorial (G1) on April 5. Saturday's El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Bay Meadows probably won't have any impact upon the Kentucky Derby (G1). AUTISM AWARENESS (Tannersmyman), the longest shot on the board at 62-1, exited his shocking 1 1/2-length upset with an injury and will miss the Run for the Roses. Turf Paradise Derby winner NIKKI'SGOLDENSTEED (Formal Gold) offered a decent showing for second after jumping shadows earlier in the race, battling back in deep stretch after being passed by the winner, but the California-bred will step up much to face much tougher company in his next outing. With only $30,000 in graded earnings, Nikki'sgoldensteed will likely have a difficult time making the Kentucky Derby field, but that could be a blessing in disguise. Upcoming Unbeaten juvenile champion WAR PASS (Cherokee Run) will command the spotlight in Saturday's Tampa Bay Derby (G3), and a small group of rivals are expected to challenge him in the 1 1/16-mile race. He should roll on the front end. The Rebel S. (G2) and San Felipe S. (G2) figure to be more competitive events on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile Rebel lost a top contender when DENIS OF CORK's (Harlan's Holiday) connections decided to skip the race in favor of the Wood or Illinois Derby (G2), and that will leave the unseasoned runner with only one start in the 75 days prior to the Kentucky Derby. If the thrice-raced colt had more foundation, I could understand the move. But late-blooming sophomores (Denis of Cork made his second career start on January 19) aren't ready to win the Derby off only one prep race in 75 days. His defection leaves Lecomte (G3) winner and Risen Star runner-up Z FORTUNE (Siphon [Brz]) as the one to beat in the Rebel. ANAK NAKAL (Victory Gallop), SIERRA SUNSET (Bertrando) and SACRED JOURNEY (Unbridled's Song) are also expected. The San Felipe will be a distance test for the three top contenders -- GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule), GAYEGO (Gilded Time) and BOB BLACK JACK (Stormy Jack). They've all been very impressive in one-turn events this winter at Santa Anita. Top 10 1) PYRO -- Sets his sights on Blue Grass following dominant Louisiana Derby win 2) COLONEL JOHN -- Sham (G3) winner is headed to the Santa Anita Derby 3) WAR PASS -- Expect a strong showing in Tampa Bay Derby 4) COURT VISION -- Eligible to improve significantly upon late-running third in Fountain of Youth (G2) 5) EL GATO MALO -- Sham runner-up turned in an excellent effort in defeat 6) VISIONAIRE -- Gotham winner gives Matz hope for second Derby trophy in three years 7) Z FORTUNE -- Asmussen runner is the horse to beat in the Rebel 8) COOL COAL MAN -- Fountain of Youth winner will make his final prep in Blue Grass 9) MAJESTIC WARRIOR -- Deep closer needed the Louisiana Derby off a 154-day layoff 10) DENIS OF CORK -- Unbeaten and lightly raced colt will have only one more start to build upon
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