The 84th running of the Wood Memorial should answer the question about War Pass: Is the last place runner in the Tampa Bay Derby back on track to Churchill Downs?

The son of Cherokee Run breezed four furlongs in a snappy 47 2/5 at Palm Meadows on March 27. It was the fastest of 11 at the distance on the South Florida training track.

That’s encouraging since the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champ on March 15 was restless in the gate, broke fourth, failed to get the lead, was bumped on both turns at Tampa Bay Downs, finished seventh and came out of the 1 1/16 miles with cuts on his left leg.

How War Pass runs will dictate whether trainer Nick Zito sends him to Louisville. The 1 1/8-mile Wood at Aqueduct won’t be a gimme since several promising 3-year-olds also have high hopes of using the $750,000 race as a springboard to Louisville.

One thing in his favor – he may be the lone speed horse and should get and uncontested lead if he’s as fit as workouts indicate.

Chief challengers include Court Vision, who won two graded stakes last year – the Remsen at Aqueduct and the Iroquois at Churchill Downs. The son of Gulch came from way off the pace during a terrible trip to finish third in the Fountain of Youth (FOY) at Gulfstream on Feb. 24.

The Bill Mott trainee breezed five furlongs in 1:04 at South Florida’s Payson Park on March 25.

The field includes three horses that ran in the Gotham on March 8: runner-up Texas Wildcatter, who worked four furlongs in 48 4/5 at Belmont Park on Sunday; Roman Emperor, fourth; and Giant Moon, ninth and last.

Tale of Ekati hopes to improve on his sixth-place finish behind Pyro in the Louisiana Derby March 8. The son of Tale of the Cat drilled four furlongs from the gate in 47 2/5 at Palm Meadows on March 25.

Twenty horses that ran in the Wood were victorious in the Kentucky Derby since Gallant Fox took the inaugural en route to the ’30 Triple Crown. Since ’75, five winners and two runners-up in Aqueduct’s premier race have scored in Louisville.

Two other prominent preps at 1 1/8 miles also will be staged Saturday, including the $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.

The main contenders are undefeated Denis of Cork, who captured his third straight on Feb. 18 winning the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and Visionaire, triumphant in the Gotham on a sloppy track.

Denis of Cork breezed five furlongs in 59 2/5 at Churchill Downs on Sunday. Visionaire breezed four furlongs in 49 3/5 at Palm Meadows on March 28.

Contender Golden Spikes, fifth in the FOY, zipped 48 4/5 handily for four furlongs on a sloppy Calder Race Course surface Monday.

War Emblem captured this race in ’02 and followed with a victory at Louisville.

The $750,000 Santa Anita will decide the best sophomore on the West Coast. The top trio is Georgia Boy, Colonel John and El Gato Malo.

Georgie Boy, winner of the San Felipe and San Vicente stakes, recorded a bullet 1:12 for six furlongs at Santa Anita on March 29. The son of Tribal Rule closed out a successful juvenile campaign with a victory in the Del Mar Futurity.

Sham winner Colonel John worked six furlongs in 1:13 at Hollywood Park on March 25 while the runner-up, El Gato Malo, breezed five furlongs four days later in a snappy 59 seconds, the fastest of 53 works.

Yankee Bravo, who captured the California Derby at Golden Gate and later ran third in Louisiana Derby, went six furlongs handily in 1:13 at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Others in the field also worked five furlongs at the track: Coast Guard, 58 4/5; Polonius, 1:00 3/5; and Indian Sun, 1:00 4/5.

The last Santa Anita Derby winner to triumph at Louisville was Sunday Silence in ’89. Two runner-ups scored: Real Quiet in ’98 and Silver Charm in ’97. A pair of fourth-place finishers surprised: Giacomo paid $120.60 in ’05 while Charismatic returned $64.60 in ’99.

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AQUEDUCT

Charlie Caliente: Broke slowly sixth and last, trailed inside by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, angled out, made up more than 6 ½ lengths and finished a game second beaten 1 ½ lengths at a mile on March 28.

Ommadon’s Frenzy: Raced greenly in seventh more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground advancing in traffic to sixth into stretch, closed fast when clear to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Feb. 16. (Raced more than 10 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile and rallied from fifth in stretch to finish third by a neck at six furlongs on March 9.)

Irish Blast: Bumped at break, steadied, raced seventh early, advanced to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to make up nearly two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Feb. 9. (Pressed pace inside in third a head and length back after a half-mile, rallied wide to gain lead in stretch and drew off by 4 ½ lengths at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface on March 8.)

GULFSTREAM PARK

Manhasset Indian: Raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths and finished second full of run beaten 1 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on the turf March 28.

Sibari Son: Broke from outside post sixth and last, advanced to fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, boxed in entering turn, pinched back to fifth losing ground, found room along rail entering stretch, rallied to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on March 5.

Pick Six: Broke slowly 11th and last, moved to eighth early, dropped to ninth more than fourth lengths behind after a half-mile, raced four wide around far turn, rallied to third in stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 8; fan final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.

Porticipation: Broke slowly 13th and last, moved to eighth early, dropped to ninth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for stretch run, rallied from sixth to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile on Feb. 8; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Lady Byar: Broke slowly, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth and last 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain second by 1 ¾ lengths at seven furlongs on Feb. 27; returned $10.80 for place. (Broke alertly, taken back, trailed by 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch and gained third by a half-length at a mile on March 27.)

HAWTHORNE

Open Bar: Raced 10 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, swung out seven wide into stretch, closed from fifth to make up 1 ¾ lengths and finished second by a half-length at six furlongs March 22.

Sole of the City: Broke on top, stalked pace early, led by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile, seized command on turn, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and drew off by 10 ¼ lengths under token right-handed encouragement at six furlongs on March 7; ran final quarter in 23 3/5. (Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after three-eighths of a mile, seized command in stretch and drew off by 1 ¾ lengths under firm handling at 5 ½ furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface on March 22.)

LAUREL PARK

Take a Check: Raced five lengths behind in third after a half-mile, launched rally near five-sixteenths pole, lost ground into stretch, closed steadily to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on March 27.

Archoman: Raced eight lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for drive, closed strongly from sixth to make up more than 4 ½ lengths in the stretch and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on March 1; ran final quarter in 24 4/5. (Raced three wide more than five lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, circled field to gain second in stretch and closed fast to win by a neck at seven furlongs on March 21; returned $10.60 on the front end.)

Honor Student: Broke a step slow, raced four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost several lengths around far turn, angled out from rail for drive, made up more than 5 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a neck and a head at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 20.

Diller: Trailed by more than 14 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced from eighth to fifth in stretch, made up more than five lengths and finished second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 7.

OAKLAWN PARK

Lord’s View: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, roused for drive, made up three lengths in stretch and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on March 27.

Passmnalexus: Broke inward, raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced four wide into stretch, finished willingly to make up 3 ¾ lengths and ran second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on March 1.

Splash of Bold: Dueled early, grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile, shook clear by a length in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a sloppy surface on March 7. (Tracked pace more than four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied four wide on turn to second in stretch and won by a half-lengths at six furlongs on March 26.)

Bugsy McCool: Raced seven lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, made up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second by 10 lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 8.

Chin High: Broke 11th and last, trailed by more than 16 lengths after a half-mile, rallied four wide into the lane, made up 4 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/6 miles on Jan. 21. (Raced seven lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and drew off driving to win by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 14.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

De Fearless One: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, rallied extremely wide from fourth in stretch, made up more than 3 ¾ lengths and closed with good energy to finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on March 25.

Rymar: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, split rivals on turn losing ground, rallied from sixth to make up 6 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 5.

Jorkat Slew: Raced fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to second in stretch, but couldn’t catch winner and held place by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 17. (Raced 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, bore out badly on turn, rallied to make up five lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 22.)

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

La Estrellita: Raced sixth more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth five wide into stretch, closed fast to make up 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on March 28.

Runaway Lil Bull: Broke slowly eighth and last, trailed by more than 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced five wide to fifth in stretch, made up nearly 4 ½ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at six furlongs on Feb. 22; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Fred’s Day: Jostled after start, raced sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, raced three wide on turn into stretch, rallied between rivals to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and closed well to finish second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 2.

SANTA ANITA

River Echo: Crowded after breaking seventh and last, raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, made up four lengths and finished well in second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 27; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.

Sure Thing Eva: Raced seventh more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside from fifth to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at seven furlongs on Feb. 2; ran final three furlongs in 36 2/5.

TURF PARADISE

Sharpster: Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came six wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at mile on March 28.

Madly Paddlin Home: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground four wide on turn, finished gamely making up 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and ran second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on March 3.

Miss Dow Jones: Broke seventh and last, raced more than 1 ½ lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in stretch, made up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 8.

Crazy Girl: Led by a head after a half-mile, battled winner into stretch and gave ground grudgingly late and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Feb. 4. (Set pace, leading by a half-length after a half-mile, dug in gamely down the stretch and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on a sealed wet fast surface Feb. 22.)

TURFWAY PARK

Why Yield: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, closed fast outside from fifth in stretch and gained second by a nose at 6 ½ furlongs on March 27.

En El Fuego: Raced ninth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to 10th on fare turn, caught in traffic advancing to fifth in upper stretch, closed fast to make up more than 7 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a nose at a mile on Feb. 8.

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Seven years ago I wrote: Logic usually doesn’t figure in picking the Kentucky Derby champion. During the past quarter-century, only two horses who figured to romp did: Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000, the first victorious favorite since Spectacular Bid, 1979.

Since ’01, two lukewarm favorites were victorious: Smarty Jones, 4-1, in ’04, and Street Sense, 9-2, last year. During a 17-year span, nine favorites won from ’61 when Carry Back scored to ’77 when Seattle Slew triumphed.

I also wrote: Winning the final prep before the Run for the Roses isn’t nearly as important as hitting the board.

That holds up. Since ’01 three ran first in their final prep while three were runners-up. Giacomo finished fourth in the ’05 Santa Anita Derby before surprising at Churchill Downs and returning $102.60. It was the largest payoff next to Donerail’s $184.90 in ’13.

During the ’90s, two horses that ran fourth in their final prep won at Louisville: Thunder Gulch in ’95 and Sea Hero in ’93 – both in the Blue Grass at Keeneland.

I also wrote: No Derby winner with fewer than five career starts has won since the great Exterminator in 1918. That remains true.

Back then I wrote: No horse with less than one victory has triumphed.

Giacomo did – seven months after breaking his maiden at Santa Anita. However, if you go way back, three maidens smelled the roses: Buchanan, the 11th Derby champ in 1884; Sir Barton, who won the Triple Crown in 1919; and Brokers Tip, victorious by a nose in 1933.

I noted: No gelding has triumphed since ’29. Funny Cide ended that streak in ’03.

I also pointed out: No competitor since ’71 who won the last prep outside the United States has scored. That streak is unbroken — Venezuelan thoroughbred champion Canonero II was the last 37 years ago.

And I wrote: Post positions sometime play a part in deciding the race (63 of the 127 winners came from the inside seven slots while only 13 won from No. 13 and out).

Four of the last seven winners broke from posts 5 through 7. Giacomo drew No. 10 while Monarchos scored from post 16 in ’01. From ’88 through ’00, seven that smelled the roses drew post 10 and outward. Thunder Gulch and Fusaichi Pegasus did from post 16.

If you have a favorite jockey or trainer, take note that nine different riders were aboard Kentucky Derby champs sent out by nine different conditioners since ’99.

Kent Desormeaux rode the first of his two winners at Louisville when Real Quiet scored at Louisville in ’98. Ironically, Bob Baffert saddled that West Coast invader, his second of three horses to visit the winner’s circle.

Desormeaux has a chance to repeat at Churchill Downs. He rides Big Brown on Saturday in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. And he likely will be aboard Fountain of Youth Stakes victor Cool Coal Man in the $750,000 Blue Grass on April 12.

However, Baffert admit he’s unlikely to have a 3-year-old in this year’s Kentucky Derby despite 10 nominations.

“I have a couple good-looking ones, but I’m not going to go to the Derby if I have no shot to win it,” the trainer recently told BloodHorse.com. “The thing about the Derby is that you can’t make it happen. You train them and if they are good enough you’ll know. You can’t push it.”
by Bookmaker Racebook

There’s less than seven weeks to the 134th Kentucky Derby so I guess it’s time to roll out my initial list of the Top 10 for America’s Greatest Race.

 Only one thing is certain at this time – no sibling of a Derby champ will wind up in the winner’s circle on the first Saturday in May. Quite a few sires of this year’s contenders ran and some were competitive, but all lost.

 So here we go, Dave Letterman style, from the bottom:

 10. Big Brown: Some handicappers are hailing this son of Boundary as the hot horse after he ran a mile faster than Cool Coal Man and War Pass on the Fountain of Youth (FOY) card last month. The average winning margin is just two starts is a whopping dozen lengths. Gulfstream Park’s Florida Derby will determine his legitimacy.

 9. Fierce Wind, Smooth Air and Denis of Cork: All three at the last minute skipped designated preps this month for various reasons. Fierce Wind, winner of the Sam Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, and Smooth Air, the third-place finisher, are scheduled for Gulfstream’s headliner. Southwest Stakes victor Denis of Cork, son of ’02 Derby favorite Harlan’s Holiday that ran seventh, bypassed the Rebel and will point to next month’s Wood Memorial at Aqueduct or the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.

 8. Colonel John or El Gato Malo: They renew their rivalry in April’s Santa Anita Derby after running 1-2 in the Sham. No matter who wins both horses are at a definite disadvantage having only raced on synthetic surfaces en route to Louisville’s dirt track.

 7. Elysium Fields or Court Vision: The FOY runner-up and third-place finisher are headed to the Florida Derby on March 29 making it a crowded, key prep. Court Vision, 3-1-1 in 5 starts, did well considering the son Gulch had an awful ride during a terrible trip. Two Florida Derby winners in the 21st Century scored at Churchill Downs: Barbaro in ’06 and Monarchos in ’01.

 6. Georgie Boy: Victories in the San Vincente and San Felipe propels the son on Tribal Rule to chief contender on the West Coast and the likely favorite if he opts for the Santa Anita Derby over the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, which would be his first race on the dirt.

 5. Big Truck: Runner-up to Fierce Wind in the Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs punched his ticket to Louisville with a victory in the Tampa Bay Derby.

 4. Cool Coal Man was 2 for 2 at Gulfstream, including the half-length victory in the FOY. But trainer Nick Zito has opted for the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland instead of the Florida Derby as the final prep for the son of Mineshaft. The last FOY winner to capture the Kentucky Derby was Thunder Gulch in ’95 who ran fourth in his final prep – the Blue Grass.

 3. Visionaire: Exits the Gotham with a nose victory on the sloppy Aqueduct surface after finishing third to Pyro in the Risen Star. Next outing: Illinois Derby or Blue Grass.

 2. War Pass: The ’07 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champ had a slight fever before Tampa Bay Derby Day. He was restless in the gate, broke fourth, failed to get the lead, was bumped on both turns and wasn’t asked to pick it up in the stretch, running seventh and last. “He scoped clean after the race,” Zito told Brisnet.com. “He seems fine although he did have some cuts on his left leg when he came back that he probably sustained when jostled around leaving the gate.”

 Final prep: the Wood at Aqueduct where the son of Cherokee Run won his first two starts as a 2-year-old.

1. Pyro: He hopes to turn the tables on his nemesis. The son of Pulpit, who captured the ’97 FOY and Blue Grass before running fourth at Louisville, lost three times last year to War Pass. This season he posted two come-from-behind wins at Fair Grounds, the latest by three lengths in the Louisiana Derby. He faces stiffer competition in the Blue Grass, but a victory likely makes him the favorite at Churchill Dows.

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Three Kentucky Derby preps should thin the ranks of hopefuls aiming for the grand 3-year-old prize on the first Saturday in May.

The major player in Saturday’s $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby is 2007 Breeders’ Cup juvenile champ War Pass, who sent the Sam F. Davis Stakes winner scurrying north to Oaklawn Park for the $300,000 Rebel Stakes.

Fierce Wind, victorious at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 16, left South Florida for Arkansas and faces Denis of Cork, who stayed in Hot Springs after taking the Southwest Stakes. Fierce Wind went four furlongs in a bullet 49 seconds at the Palm Meadows Training Center on March 7 while Denis of Cork breezed five furlongs in 1:01 on Sunday.

Smooth Air, who breezed a mile in 1:45 3/5 at Calder Race Course on Sunday after running third in the Sam Davis, is among several challengers hoping to derail War Pass.

War Pass posted an easy 7 ½-length victory in an allowance contest on the Fountain of Youth Stakes card Feb. 24 at Gulfstream Park.

Nick Zito’s trainee cruised the mile in 1:36 1 /5 after FOY winner Cool Coal Man battled Elysium Fields down the stretch, covering that distance in the same time before prevailing by a half-length at 1:50 for the 1 1/8 miles.

War Pass on March 6 breezed five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 on a good track at Palm Meadows.

The son of Cherokee Run is taking the same path as last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, who also captured the BC Juvenile. Street Sense nosed out favored Any Given Saturday in the Grade 3 event, setting the Tampa Bay Downs track record for 1 1/16 miles – 1:43.

Both colts battled head-to-head down the stretch, brushing several times in close quarters, but the son of Street Cry got a short advantage inside the eighth pole and prevailed.

War Pass will be heavily favored. His staunchest rival likely will be the Steve Asmussen trainee Z Fortune, runner-up to stablemate Pyro in the Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 9.

A good omen for the son of Siphon is Pyro’s impressive three-length triumph on March 9 in the $600,000 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. Z Fortune, who captured the Lecomte Stakes on Jan. 9, posted a bullet 1:13 3/5 for six furlongs on March 1.

Conditioner Todd Pletcher sends out Atoned, who hasn’t started since losing by a neck to Court Vision in the Remsen Stakes last fall at Aqueduct. The son of Repent was a busy 2-year-old, winning two of seven outings that included Monmouth Park’s Continental Mile.

Pletcher also plans to run Face the Cat in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel. The son Tale of the Cat broke his maiden on Jan. 4 at Gulfstream and 26 days later recorded a four-length triumph in a mile allowance contest.

Another contender is Sierra Sunset, runner-up in the Southwest after being overtaken by Denis of Cork.

Across the country at Santa Anita Park, the $200,000 San Felipe Stakes shapes up as a two-horse race between Georgie Boy and Bob Black Jack.

Georgie Boy is coming off a 3 ¼-length victory in the San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 10. The son of Tribal Rule was just one-fifth of a second off the track record of 1:20 for seven furlongs in his sophomore debut.

The California-bred gelding, who defeated the favored Into Mischief, posted a bullet work of 1:23 3/5 handily for seven furlongs at Hollywood Park on March 1.

Six-furlong world record holder Bob Black Jack drilled five furlongs in a minute on Sunday at Santa Anita where he won the Sunshine Millions Dash in a dazzling 1:06 2/5 on Jan. 26.

Both 3-year-olds are going for their third straight victory, but neither has traveled longer than seven-eighths of a mile. Saturday’s race is 1 1/16 miles.

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Louisiana Derby Features the Red Hot Pyro
Fair Grounds is a most historic track. It’s the oldest site of horse racing in the United States still in operation. But back in 1852 when it began, the facility was ironically known as Union Race Course deep in the heart of Dixie.
Sometimes it was referred to as the New Orleans Fair Grounds. In 1863, it was called Fair Grounds and racing was conducted during the Civil War.
In 1893, the first 100-day meeting was conducted and racing charts began appearing in local newspapers. That same year, Pat Garrett, who killed Billy the Kid a dozen years earlier, brought in a stable of runners. The onetime sheriff did fairly well breeding and racing horses for five years while living in Uvalde, Texas.
In 1894, Buckwa defeated five other thoroughbreds in the forerunner of the Louisiana Derby when it was called the Crescent City Handicap.
The Louisiana Derby has been staged continuously since 1901 except for ’40-42 during World War II and in ’06 when Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area.
Winners have only scored twice at Churchill Downs: Black Gold in ’24 when the Fair Grounds headliner was run at 1 1/8 miles and Grindstone in ’96 eight years after the race  was reduced to 1 1/16 miles.
Saturday’s 95th running of the Louisiana Derby will feature many devotees’ No. 1 of the young 3-year-old season and the likely favorite – Pyro.
The son of Pulpit is coming off an amazing performance in  the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 9. From  behind a wall of horses at the top of the stretch, he was steered outside and roared from 11th and last to win by two increasing lengths.
Luckily, Pyro avoided disaster on Feb. 18 while breezing at  the same track when another horse got loose going the wrong way. His rider safely manuevered the colt wide and all it cost was several seconds going five furlongs at 1:05 3/5. On Feb. 25, the Steve Asmussen trainee went six furlongs in a bullet 1:14.
J Be K., newest member of the conditioner’s stable that also will run in the $600,000 stakes, went five furlongs in 1:01 on Sunday. The undefeated son of Silver Deputy scored an impressive five-length victory at six furlongs on a wet fast surface in a snappy 1:10 on Feb. 15.
Two also-rans in the Risen Star will try Pyro again in the Louisiana Derby: Unbridled Vicar and Blackberry Road.
Unbridled Vicar, fourth 3 ¼ lengths back, breezed five furlongs in 1:02 2/5 on Sunday. Another neck behind was Blackberry Road, but the son of Gone West unlike Pyro lacked room late. He worked five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 on Sunday.
Another contender is unbeaten Yankee Bravo, winner of his third straight in the California Derby on the Golden Gate Fields synthetic surface Jan. 27, worked six furlongs in 1:13 handily at Hollywood Park on March 1.
Two other runners will be making their sophomore debut:
Tale of Ekati, fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind the winning War Pass and runner-up Pyro, posted a bullet work for five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 on Feb. 26 at Gulfstream Park’s Palm Meadows Training Center.
Majestic Warrior, sidelined by an injury while finishing sixth last fall in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park following his triumph in Saratoga’s Hopeful Stakes last summer, worked six furlongs in 1:15 3/5 on Feb. 23 at Payson Park in South Florida.
The 56th Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday attracted a less-stellar field headed by undefeated Giant Moon.
The son of Giant’s Causeway, who captured his fourth straight by a neck in the Count Fleet on Jan. 5, worked quite well last month on the training track at Belmont.
On Feb. 28, he breezed six furlongs in a snappy 1:13 4/5 on a good surface.
Other contenders in the $250,000 race at 1 1/16 miles are: Visionaire, third in the Risen Star; Eaton’s Gift, winner of Gulfstream’s Swale Stakes on Feb. 2; Roman Emperor, runner-up in the Whirlaway Stakes the same afternoon at Aqueduct; Texas Wildcatter, third in the Whirlaway;
and Saratoga Russell, victorious by 10 ¾ lengths in a six-furlong allowance contest on Feb. 9 at Gulfstream.

by Bookmaker Racebook