James Scully's Derby Report For February 13th

PYRO (Pulpit) established himself as the early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite with a stirring victory in Saturday's Risen Star S. (G3), blowing away the field with an explosive stretch move.

Last and pinned behind a wall of horses entering the stretch, Pyro was guided to the outside by Shaun Bridgmohan and the race was quickly over. The Steve Asmussen-trained colt flew past 10 rivals in a flash. Pyro wrapped up the race so quick, at least 40 feet before the wire, that Shaun Bridgmohan had the opportunity to take a cell phone call before hitting the finish line. He was already patting the dark bay and standing up in the irons.

His final three-sixteenths of a mile was completed in a remarkable 28 2/5 seconds, and this was just the starting point for the maiden winner. Pyro signaled his readiness when working head-and-head with Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) in recent weeks. Imagine further improvement off this two-length win.

A snail's pace materialized during the opening stages of the Risen Star as longshot Rich Young Ruler (Victory Gallop) led by a length through splits in :24 2/5, :49 2/5 and 1:14 3/5. Pyro was under heavy restraint the entire way and remained in last after three-quarters of a mile. He actually lost ground on the far turn, and his prospects were extremely grim entering the stretch.

Z FORTUNE (Siphon [Brz]), a sharp 2 3/4-length winner of the Lecomte S. (G3) for Asmussen, launched a bold rally on the far turn that propelled him to a 1 1/2-length lead at the top of the lane, and the gray colt appeared bound for his second straight victory. He finished well under Garrett Gomez, easily holding second by three parts of a length over VISIONAIRE (Grand Slam), but was simply no match for the winner. Z Fortune could be a major factor in upcoming prep races if he avoids his stablemate.

Visionaire recorded a commendable effort in his stakes debut, and UNBRIDLED VICAR (Vicar), who finished a neck short of the well-regarded Denis of Cork (Harlan's Holiday) in his previous outing, also turned in an encouraging stakes bow, finishing another half-length back in fourth. BLACKBERRY ROAD (Gone West) wasn't going to challenge the winner, but traffic problems cost him any chance at second. Instead of seeking a clear trip, Calvin Borel kept the fast-closing colt along the inside and Blackberry Road's late run was stopped in midstretch. He eventually settled for fifth.

It's too early to give up on any of these horses. They just ran into a buzz saw on Saturday.

Pyro's 96 BRIS Speed rating is a throw out. He earned terrific Speed ratings at two, registering a 109 and 106 for runner-up efforts in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Champagne S. (G1), and Pyro looks much improved from his four-start juvenile season. The reason he received a low number in the Risen Star is because he made up all of his ground in the stretch off of a slow pace. If Pyro had launched his move earlier, passing rivals on the far turn instead of losing ground through the final bend, and carried his momentum through the stretch, he would've received a much higher number. It didn't matter that he closed like a superstar in the Risen Star; his Speed rating suffered due to extenuating circumstances.

The 129 BRIS Late Pace rating is a better gauge of Pyro's performance.

Despite the accolades, it's important to remember that the Risen Star was held at 1 1/16 miles, and the possibility exists that he won't be effective at longer distances. But I wouldn't wager on it. Pyro's by Pulpit, a son of A.P. Indy, and his broodmare sire, Wild Again, captured the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Pyro will make his next appearance in the March 8 Louisiana Derby (G2).

GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule) produced a minor upset in Sunday's San Vicente S. (G2). CashCall Futurity (G1) winner INTO MISCHIEF (Harlan's Holiday) was sent off the even-money favorite in the seven-furlong test over Santa Anita's Cushion Track, and Grade 3 hero MASSIVE DRAMA (Kafwain) was the 7-5 second choice among four starters. Neither was a match for the nearly 3-1 winner.

Unraced since a narrow victory in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) in early September, George Boy eliminated any suspense while about eight paths off the rail through the stretch drive, powering past Into Mischief and Massive Drama to win by 3 1/4 lengths. He crushed them.

The Kathy Walsh pupil is obviously very proficient on synthetic tracks. Georgie Boy broke his maiden over the Polytrack at Del Mar in the restricted Graduation S., and the California-bred gelding captured the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity two starts later. He really impressed on Sunday, netting a 106 Speed number, and Georgie Boy will likely get the opportunity to test two turns in his next start. He's bred to handle longer distances, but I question whether he can stretch out effectively on dirt.

Into Mischief disappointed in the final furlong. Sitting a perfect trip in second during the early stages, he looked good all the way to midstretch when Georgie Boy suddenly went right past him. Victor Espinoza quickly wrapped up on the favorite, and the San Vicente makes you wonder whether he's improved at three. However, Into Mischief deserves some slack. The bay colt dealt with foot issues and training interruptions (due to wet weather and a bad track at Santa Anita) since the December 22 CashCall Futurity, and he was eligible to get a little tired in the end. Trainer Richard Mandella probably had him a little short, and Into Mischief will get the opportunity to show much more when he stretches back out to two turns in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe S. (G2) on March 15.

Pacesetter Massive Drama finished another length back in third, and he's been shipped out of California by owner Ahmed Zayat, along with Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls Maimonides (Vindication) and J Be K (Silver Deputy). All three will make their next start on dirt.

A one-mile, one-turn allowance at Gulfstream Park on Sunday turned out to be a bust for a pair of well-regarded prospects, BORDEAUX BANDIT (Vindication) and JOCKEY RIDGE (Broken Vow), who wound up being dusted by HEY BYRN (Put It Back). It wasn't close. Hey Byrn stretched a three-length advantage at the eighth pole into a 14 1/2-length margin at the finish line in an eye-catching performance. Fourth in his only attempt around two turns, Hey Byrn isn't nominated to the Triple Crown. Bordeaux Bandit received a 83 Speed rating for his runner-up effort, and fourth-placer Jockey Ridge got a 78.

HALO NAJIB (Halo's Image), who finished second to Court Vision (Gulch) in last year's Iroquois S. (G3) and opened 2008 with a third in the Hutcheson S. (G2), recorded his first stakes victory when posting a 2 3/4-length decision in Monday's Ocala Breeders' Sale Championship S. at the Ocala Training Center. Caught in a traffic jam on the far turn, he was guided to the outside by Kent Desormeaux and went on to dominate the 1 1/16-mile event. After turning in respectable efforts versus graded rivals in his three previous outings, the Dale Romans-trained colt simply outclassed his opponents in this spot.

At Gulfstream last Thursday, UNDERSTATEMENT (Distorted Humor) broke his maiden at first asking for Todd Pletcher. A $1.05 million yearling purchase, the WinStar Farm colorbearer went right to the lead and was never threatened in posting a three-length tally, registering a 101 Speed and 101 Late Pace rating in the six-furlong contest. A half-brother to multiple Grade 2 victress Roar Emotion (Roar), Understatement is bred for longer distances, and the bay colt looks like one to follow off his encouraging debut.

Upcoming

Nashua S. (G3) winner ETCHED (Forestry), unbeaten in two career starts, will make his 2008 bow for Godolphin in Thursday's U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) at Nad al Sheba.

Monday's President Day feature at Oaklawn Park, the Southwest S. (G3), is the lone graded event for three-year-olds over the weekend. TURF WAR (Dixie Union), a full brother to Travers S. (G1) runner-up Grasshopper, will make his 2008 debut in the one-mile contest. The Mark Casse runner dead-heated for the win in the Delta Jackpot S. (G3) last out. LIBERTY BULL (Holy Bull) and ISABULL (Holy Bull), the one-two finishers in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn, could resume their rivalry in the Southwest, with the unbeaten Denis of Cork and Calder stakes winner HE'S EZE (Silver Deputy), who exits a fourth in the Lecomte S. (G3), also considered probable.

Tampa Bay Downs will host the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis S. on Saturday. Top contenders include Z HUMOR (Distorted Humor), SMOOTH AIR (Smooth Jazz), BIG TRUCK (Hook and Ladder), HONEYHONEYHONEY (Awesome of Course) and WISE ANSWER (Wised Up).

Top 10

1) PYRO -- Risen Star was a good starting point

2) COURT VISION -- The one to beat in the 2/24 Fountain of Youth (G2)

3) CROWN OF THORNS -- Loved the Bob Lewis (G2) victory

4) COLONEL JOHN -- Anticipating his return in the 3/1 Sham (G3)

5) TALE OF EKATI -- Continues to train well for Barclay Tagg

6) WAR PASS -- Scheduled to make 2008 debut in a 2/23 allowance

7) MAJESTIC WARRIOR -- Very intriguing prospect

8) ATONED -- Top billing from the Pletcher brigade

9) EL GATO MALO -- Smashing San Rafael victor

10) MAKE THE POINT -- Kiaran McLaughlin runner is a sleeper; headed to the Fountain of Youth