NEWS
Pyro set for final Derby test in Blue Grass
Posted: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 2:26 PM
PYRO
Lou Hodges Jr. photo
by Jeff Lowe
Already secure in their qualifications for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), Pyro and Cool Coal Man will cross paths for a final exam on Saturday in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Race Course.
Pyro, one of the leading Derby contenders coming into the year, has only enhanced his reputation with game victories in the Risen Star Stakes (G3) and Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Keeneland oddsmaker Mike Battaglia reflected the widespread high regard for Pyro on Wednesday morning when he pegged the Pulpit colt as the even-money favorite on the morning line for the largest Blue Grass field since 1983.
The Blue Grass will be Pyro’s first start on a synthetic surface. Trainer Steve Asmussen sent him to Keeneland about ten days after his three-length victory in the Louisiana Derby on March 8.
“He’s obviously the horse to beat,” said Todd Pletcher, the trainer of Cowboy Cal and Monba, two of Pyro’s 11 opponents. “I’d be surprised if he didn’t take to this surface really well. The way they have been teaching him to run and finish through the lane, it should suit this track perfectly. I don’t think anyone has any suggestions that he’s not certainly the horse to beat.”
None of the dozen horses in the Blue Grass has a previous Grade 1 victory. Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Cool Coal Man is the only other Grade 2 winner in the field.
The Mineshaft colt emerged from the long shadow of his stablemate, War Pass, with his half-length victory in the Fountain of Youth on February 24 at Gulfstream Park. Cool Coal Man has pieced together four victories in his last five starts for trainer Nick Zito and owner Robert LaPenta, who also entered the longshot maiden winner Stevil.
Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Visionaire will continue his well-traveled path for trainer Michael Matz. The Blue Grass will be Visionaire’s sixth start, and each of them has come over a different racetrack. The Grand Slam colt finished third to Pyro in the Risen Star, his stakes debut, and moved forward with a nose triumph in the Gotham on March 8 at Aqueduct.
Big Truck will get a chance to follow-up on his breakthrough victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 15. By Hook and Ladder, Big Truck also finished second to Fierce Wind in the Sam F. Davis Stakes on February 16 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Cowboy Cal will switch to the Polytrack after finishing second to stablemate Why Tonto in the Hallandale Beach Stakes on February 16 at Gulfstream Park, which was his first defeat in four starts on grass.
The field from the rail out, with (jockey) and odds: Cool Coal Man (Kent Desormeaux) 4-to-1; Kentucky Bear (Jamie Theriot) 50-to-1; Cowboy Cal (John Velazquez) 15-to-1; Stevil (Rafael Bejarano) 30-to-1; Monba (Edgar Prado) 15-to-1; Big Truck (Eibar Coa) 6-to-1; Pyro (Shaun Bridgmohan) even; Stone Bird (Corey Lanerie) 50-to-1; Medjool (Michael Baze) 30-to-1; Miner’s Claim (Patrick Husbands) 20-to-1; Halo Najib (Garrett Gomez) 15-to-1; and Visionaire (Jose Lezcano) 6-to-1.
For video features on horses entered in the Blue Grass Stakes, please visit our homepage, www.thoroughbredtimes.com, and click on the play list of our video player.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, trainer, and morning-line odds:
1. Cool Coal Man (Mineshaft), Kent J. Desormeaux, 123, Nicholas P. Zito, 4-to-1;
2. Kentucky Bear (Mr. Greeley), Jamie Theriot, 123, Reade Baker, 50-to-1;
3. Cowboy Cal (Giant's Causeway), John R. Velazquez, 123, Todd A. Pletcher, 15-to-1;
4. Stevil (Maria's Mon), Rafael Bejarano, 123, Nicholas P. Zito, 30-to-1;
5. Monba (Maria's Mon), Edgar S. Prado, 123, Todd A. Pletcher, 15-to-1;
6. Big Truck (Hook and Ladder), Eibar Coa, 123, Barclay Tagg, 6-to-1;
7. Pyro (Pulpit), Shaun Bridgmohan, 123, Steven M. Asmussen, 1-to-1;
8. Stone Bird (Grindstone), Corey J. Lanerie, 123, D. Wayne Lukas, 50-to-1;
9. Medjool (Monarchos), Michael C. Baze, 123, David E. Hofmans, 30-to-1;
10. Miner's Claim (Mineshaft), Patrick Husbands, 123, Mark E. Casse, 20-to-1;
11. Halo Najib (Halo's Image), Garrett K. Gomez, 123, Dale L. Romans, 15-to-1; and
12. Visionaire (Grand Slam), Jose Lezcano, 123, Michael R. Matz, 6-to-1.
