Conserve energy, win the race. A simple plan for Pyro that worked to perfection in the Louisiana Derby.
Biding his time behind the leaders, Pyro muscled through an opening in the stretch and cruised to a three-lengths victory over 60-1 long-shot My Pal Charlie at the New Orleans Fair Grounds yesterday.
The victory not only reaffirmed Pyro's status as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby, it made trainer Steve Asmussen breathe easier knowing his 3-year-old colt won with plenty to spare.
“We prepared well,” Asmussen said in the winner's circle. “He put himself in the race and didn't leave it all to do in front of him. He handled it extremely well. He encountered traffic and went by the wire with a lot of energy.”
In the toughest Derby prep yet, Pyro made easy work of eight rivals for his second impressive win of the year, both at the Fair Grounds.
This time, the 3-year-old bay colt didn't need a breathtaking last-to-first stretch run like he did in taking the Risen Star on Feb. 9. Under regular rider Shaun Bridgmohan, Pyro was never worse than fourth before splitting the leaders with little urging for his third win in six career starts.
The victory gives Asmussen a top Derby contender for the second year in a row. He also trains 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, who was third in the Derby, won the Preakness and finished second in the Belmont Stakes. Asmussen has another Derby hopeful in Z Fortune, who runs next Saturday in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.
Pyro covered the 1 1-16 miles in 1:44.44 on an unseasonably cool day, with temperatures in the low 50s.
Derby hopefuls Tale of Ekati and Majestic Warrior, making their first starts of the year, never seriously challenged and finished out of the money.
Pyro, the 4-5 favorite, returned $3.60, $2.80 and $2.20; My Pal Charlie, who set the early pace, finished second at 60-1 odds and paid $26 and $10.80. Yankee Bravo, who came into the race with a 3-0 record, was third and returned $5.20.
Other races
Visionaire edged Texas Wildcatter by a nose in the $250,000 Gotham Stakes for 3-year-olds at foggy and sloppy Aqueduct. The fog obliterated the view from the grandstand until the horses hit the stretch, where Visionaire got up in the final strides for his third win in five starts.
Trained by Michael Matz for owners Team Valor International and Vision Racing, Visionaire ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.60 and paid $11, $5.60 and $3.80.
Ariege beat Golden Doc A to win the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks. Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Ariege covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.73 and paid $11.40, $4.60 and $3.20.
Autism Awareness, at 62-to-1 the longest shot in the nine-horse field, rallied to beat Nikki'sgoldensteed by 1½ lengths in the Grade 3 $150,000 El Camino Real Derby for 3-year-olds at Bay Meadows in San Mateo.
Autism Awareness, ridden by Luis Contreras, ran 1 1-16 miles in 1:43.170, and paid $126, $46.49 and $17.60.
