2008 Kentucky Derby Top 15 Contenders - April 1 Update
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April 1, 2008 - 8:41 a.m. (EST)
2008 Kentucky Derby Top 15 Contenders
The Top 15 Contenders Ranked - Followed by the rest of the contenders below.
#1 PYRO - Finished very strong in March 31 work (View the March 31, 2008 workout video) as he continues his preparations for the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Pyro worked six furlongs in 1:143 breezing at Keeneland. Exercise rider Dominic Terry was aboard Pyro, who worked in company with stablemate Sonoma Cat. Pyro’s jockey, Shaun Bridgmohan, was on Sonoma Cat. The duo raced as a team, hitting the wire together with Pyro on the inside. “I got him galloping out in 1:273 and the last five-eighths in 1:004,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who supervised the move for trainer Steve Asmussen, who was in Dallas on Monday. Keeneland clockers caught the pair going :230 seconds flat for the final quarter and :111 for the last eighth.
Obvious early favorite for the Blue Grass Stakes worked 5f in 1:022 March 24 breezing over Keeneland's main Polytrack and galloped out 6f in 1:152. The work's time ranked 15th out of 18 but this is of no real concern. The colt is in such good form there really is no need to ask him to do much in the morning.
On March 17 this son of PULPIT breezed 4f in :531 at the Fair Grounds. Yes it was a slow work but he really doesn't need further conditioning at this point. Just maintenance works as he gets ready to do what his sire did in 1997 (Win the Blue Grass Stakes).
Won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby with a steady advance at the Fair Grounds on March 8 going 1 1/16 miles. He sat patiently in the second flight despite a slow pace up front. Had to wait for running room down the lane but he took over inside the eighth pole and drew off by 3 lengths. He pretty much reached the front on his own then got a few taps from Bridghmohan as he opened up.
Won the Grade 3 Risen Star on February 9 at the Fairgrounds. He was very impressive in victory as he was dead last as they turned for home and then weaved in and out of horses like they were standing still. Pyro came home the last 1/4 mile in a fierce 223! "Unbelievable," jockey Shaun Bridghmohan said, watching the replay of the stretch run afterward. "I never even hit him." It was more impressive seeing that he made such a great late move coming off a slow pace.
Early in the year Pyro was training with stablemete CURLIN which might just be a genius decision by trainer Steve Asmussen. He had a nice 2yo season finishing 2nd in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and in the Grade 1 Champagne both to WAR PASS.
This PULPIT colt has never finished off the board in 6 career starts (6-3-2-1). He obviously has a very strong, and explosive, late move and has the ability to lay 2nd flight off of a fast pace. His late pace ratings are the strongest of any 3yo on this list.
With A.P. INDY on the top (Pulpit's sire) and WILD AGAIN (damsire) on the bottom, it appears that Pyro will have no problem getting the classic distance of the Kentucky Derby. Both sides show a strong influence for stamina. Even though he is yet to race past 8.5 furlongs, all indications are there that he will stretch out fine.
VIDEO: PYRO - March 31, 2008 workout
VIDEO: PYRO - March 24, 2008 workout
VIDEO: Louisiana Derby (G2)
VIDEO: Risen Star Stakes (G3)
VIDEO: Jill Byrne Analysis
VIDEO: Champagne Stakes (G1)
VIDEO: Maiden Win (Churchill)
NEXT START - Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on April 12 at Keeneland
The whole thing: http://www.fullcardreports.com/CAP/2...Contenders.htm
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April 1, 2008 - 8:41 a.m. (EST)
2008 Kentucky Derby Top 15 Contenders
The Top 15 Contenders Ranked - Followed by the rest of the contenders below.
#1 PYRO - Finished very strong in March 31 work (View the March 31, 2008 workout video) as he continues his preparations for the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Pyro worked six furlongs in 1:143 breezing at Keeneland. Exercise rider Dominic Terry was aboard Pyro, who worked in company with stablemate Sonoma Cat. Pyro’s jockey, Shaun Bridgmohan, was on Sonoma Cat. The duo raced as a team, hitting the wire together with Pyro on the inside. “I got him galloping out in 1:273 and the last five-eighths in 1:004,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who supervised the move for trainer Steve Asmussen, who was in Dallas on Monday. Keeneland clockers caught the pair going :230 seconds flat for the final quarter and :111 for the last eighth.
Obvious early favorite for the Blue Grass Stakes worked 5f in 1:022 March 24 breezing over Keeneland's main Polytrack and galloped out 6f in 1:152. The work's time ranked 15th out of 18 but this is of no real concern. The colt is in such good form there really is no need to ask him to do much in the morning.
On March 17 this son of PULPIT breezed 4f in :531 at the Fair Grounds. Yes it was a slow work but he really doesn't need further conditioning at this point. Just maintenance works as he gets ready to do what his sire did in 1997 (Win the Blue Grass Stakes).
Won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby with a steady advance at the Fair Grounds on March 8 going 1 1/16 miles. He sat patiently in the second flight despite a slow pace up front. Had to wait for running room down the lane but he took over inside the eighth pole and drew off by 3 lengths. He pretty much reached the front on his own then got a few taps from Bridghmohan as he opened up.
Won the Grade 3 Risen Star on February 9 at the Fairgrounds. He was very impressive in victory as he was dead last as they turned for home and then weaved in and out of horses like they were standing still. Pyro came home the last 1/4 mile in a fierce 223! "Unbelievable," jockey Shaun Bridghmohan said, watching the replay of the stretch run afterward. "I never even hit him." It was more impressive seeing that he made such a great late move coming off a slow pace.
Early in the year Pyro was training with stablemete CURLIN which might just be a genius decision by trainer Steve Asmussen. He had a nice 2yo season finishing 2nd in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and in the Grade 1 Champagne both to WAR PASS.
This PULPIT colt has never finished off the board in 6 career starts (6-3-2-1). He obviously has a very strong, and explosive, late move and has the ability to lay 2nd flight off of a fast pace. His late pace ratings are the strongest of any 3yo on this list.
With A.P. INDY on the top (Pulpit's sire) and WILD AGAIN (damsire) on the bottom, it appears that Pyro will have no problem getting the classic distance of the Kentucky Derby. Both sides show a strong influence for stamina. Even though he is yet to race past 8.5 furlongs, all indications are there that he will stretch out fine.
VIDEO: PYRO - March 31, 2008 workout
VIDEO: PYRO - March 24, 2008 workout
VIDEO: Louisiana Derby (G2)
VIDEO: Risen Star Stakes (G3)
VIDEO: Jill Byrne Analysis
VIDEO: Champagne Stakes (G1)
VIDEO: Maiden Win (Churchill)
NEXT START - Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on April 12 at Keeneland
The whole thing: http://www.fullcardreports.com/CAP/2...Contenders.htm