Pyro installed as 7-5 favorite in Louisiana Derby

PYRO (Pulpit), who vaulted to the top of many Kentucky Derby (G1) lists after his smashing triumph in the February 9 Risen Star S. (G3), has been installed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in Saturday's $600,000 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. The Steve Asmussen trainee will face a deep and talented field in the 95th running of the historic contest, with his major rivals including Hopeful S. (G1) hero MAJESTIC WARRIOR (A.P. Indy), Futurity S. (G2) winner TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat), and the undefeated duo of YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentleman) and J BE K (Silver Deputy).

A homebred campaigned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Pyro first gained attention when rallying for runner-up honors behind champion War Pass (Cherokee Run) in the Champagne S. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). The dark bay geared up for his three-year-old bow in the Risen Star by working in company with Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike), and the lessons were well and truly learned. After lagging in last at the top of the stretch, Pyro weaved through traffic and stormed home by two lengths, earning rave reviews for his astonishing late kick. Pyro will seek to inflict the same treatment upon his eight rivals in the Louisiana Derby. Regular rider Shaun Bridgmohan will guide the confirmed closer from post 3.

Although the Louisiana Derby is contested over the same track and 1 1/16-mile trip as the Risen Star, Saturday's field is a much stronger cast. Majestic Warrior won his first two career starts for Bill Mott at Saratoga last summer, including a visually impressive score from well off the pace in the prestigious Hopeful. Sent off as the even-money favorite in the Champagne, he retreated to finish sixth, beaten 14 lengths in War Pass' coming-out party. Majestic Warrior exited that disappointing effort with an injury and headed to the sidelines. The royally bred bay has been training steadily at Payson Park in advance of his sophomore, and two-turn, debut. Garrett Gomez sticks with Majestic Warrior, who will break from the far outside post 9 and could relish the lengthy Fair Grounds stretch.

Tale of Ekati is another high-flying juvenile of 2007 who will take his first step on the Kentucky Derby trail in the Louisiana Derby. A troubled runner-up in the Sanford S. (G2) at Saratoga, the Barclay Tagg pupil accelerated smartly through a narrow opening along the rail to capture the Futurity at Belmont Park. The bay never landed a blow in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, checking in a remote fourth to War Pass. Tale of Ekati has been firing bullets at Palm Meadows in preparation for this engagement, luring Edgar Prado into the saddle. The beautifully bred colt has landed in post 6.

Yankee Bravo began his career in England, romping by six lengths in a turf dash at Redcar. Sold privately and transferred to Paddy Gallagher in California, the dark bay roared home late to take the grassy Eddie Logan S. at Santa Anita. Next time out, Yankee Bravo switched to the synthetic Tapeta surface at Golden Gate Fields, and the result was the same. Despite being stuck in traffic and having to wait for room, he exploded to win going away by one length, and advanced his record to a perfect three-for-three. Gallagher opted to ship to Fair Grounds, rather than taking part in the preps on the Cushion Track at Santa Anita, to test Yankee Bravo's aptitude for dirt. Alex Solis makes the trek to continue their partnership.

The unbeaten J Be K, a recent addition to the Asmussen squadron, will be tackling stakes company for the first time. The Zayat Stables colorbearer made a splash at Saratoga last August, romping by 7 1/2 lengths in a track-record time of 1:03 for 5 1/2 furlongs, in his lone start for Bob Baffert. Because of the problems with Santa Anita's Cushion Track this winter, Zayat decided to transfer J Be K to Asmussen at Fair Grounds. In his first outing for his new conditioner, the dark bay drew off to a five-length score over allowance rivals going six furlongs. J Be K is an unknown quantity at this distance, but he could be the lone speed beneath new rider Kent Desormeaux.

Besides Pyro, two other contenders are coming out of the Risen Star. Grade 2-placed BLACKBERRY ROAD (Gone West) endured a frustrating trip and was caught behind horses in the stretch, ultimately winding up fifth to Pyro. That traffic trouble sparked a rider change to Robby Albarado for Saturday's race. Two starts back, the David Carroll colt was a strongly closing second in the Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds. UNBRIDLED VICAR (Vicar) was a game fourth in the Risen Star. In his prior outing, he was a close second to Denis of Cork (Harlan's Holiday), who came right back to score a handy victory in the Southwest S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park.

Completing the field are MY PAL CHARLIE (Indian Charlie), an allowance winner at this venue last time out, and STEVIL (Maria's Mon), a surprise entrant from the Nick Zito barn, who has failed to clear his first allowance condition in three attempts.

Stevil, a 15-1 longshot on the morning line, has drawn the rail with Calvin Borel. Lining up to his outside will be My Pal Charlie, Julien Leparoux, 20-1; Pyro; J Be K, 12-1; Unbridled Vicar, Corey Lanerie, 20-1; Tale of Ekati, 7-2; Blackberry Road, 10-1; Yankee Bravo, 4-1; and Majestic Warrior, 9-2.

Each entrant will carry 122 pounds.