One thing is for certain, Pyro is a better horse than he showed on Saturday in the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland. His effort today coming off two wins at the Fairgrounds isn't the way that you wanted to go into the Kentucky Derby with. No factor and never in the hunt, Pyro finished a rather dull 10th beaten over 11 lengths. The winner; Monba, which I tabbed on top rebounded from a dull effort last time out in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The second Pletcher runner in the field; Cowboy Cal set the pace and held second gamely coming out of grass races most recently. Kentucky Bear rallied late for third at huge odds, but was no factor for the top two. Also disappointing were the efforts of Cool Coal Man, Big Truck & Visionaire. Don't know what to make of this year's Bluegrass Stakes, but Pyro won't be the Kentucky Derby favorite now off that race.
On closing day at Oaklawn Park in the Arkansas Derby; California invader, Gayego nearly led wire to wire as the favorite to win a derby trail prep and punch his ticket to Churchill Downs the first Saturday in May. Running first time on "real" dirt, Gayego was much the best holding off the late charge of Z Fortune at the wire. The latter which is a N.Y. bred, got to the winner but would not pass him. Pace setter longshot; Tres Borrachos came back for the third spot. With Gayego's victory, looks like more pace will be added to the "run for the roses".
The final Florida prep was at Gulfstream on Saturday, the Holy Bull Stakes which had been moved to later in the meet and distanced change to a mile & three sixteenths. Heavily favored; Hey Bryn took a very non descripted field to victory at even money. Even though he got graded stake earnings, it still may not be enough to make the field of 20 runners with such a wide open group this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment