Following a pair of disappointing efforts in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Blue
Grass S. (G1), PYRO (Pulpit) signaled that he is headed back in the right
direction with a sharp victory in Saturday’s $190,925
Northern Dancer S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. His see-saw sophomore season
started on the right note, with a convincing score in the Risen Star S. (G3),
and the Winchell Thoroughbreds’ homebred established himself as a leading
Kentucky Derby contender with a smashing win in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
However, his fortunes took a serious dip with a 10th as the favorite in the Blue
Grass over Polytrack, and people were ready to give up on Pyro following his
non-threatening eighth in the Kentucky Derby.
The Steve Asmussen runner gained a measure of redemption on the Stephen
Foster Super Saturday program, rallying from just off the pace to win the
Northern Dancer by 1 3/4 lengths under Shaun Bridgmohan. Texas Wildcatter
(Monarchos) set early splits in :24 4/5, :48 4/5 and 1:13 while under light
pressure from My Pal Charlie (Indian Charlie), and Pyro was stalking a couple of
lengths back in third. Bridgmohan asked for run when turning for home and the
dark bay colt responded, reeling in the leaders and surging clear to finish 1
1/16 miles on the fast dirt in 1:43 2/5.
“He was coming off two extremely disappointing efforts for a top-class
horse,” Asmussen said. “This was a quality field today and he handled what was
thrown at him. He was a lot sharper in the race and looked comfortable the whole
time. Hopefully, we can map out a schedule that has some important races in it
for three-year-olds for the (rest of) the year.”
Sent off the 9-5 second choice, Pyro paid $5.60, $3.60 and $2.60. My Pal
Charlie could not move with the winner entering the stretch but easily gained
runner-up honors, holding second by 2 1/4 lengths at 11-1, and returned $6.60
and $3..60. Visionaire (Gulch), who was sent off at 9-2 off his 12th in the
Kentucky Derby, raced closer to the early pace but could do no better than third
and gave back $3.20. Illinois Derby (G2) hero Recapturetheglory (Cherokee Run),
the even-money favorite off his fifth in the Kentucky Derby, was another 1 1/4
lengths back in fourth. The exotics totaled $35.20 (exacta), $122 (trifecta) and
$220.40 (2-5-6-1 superfecta). Texas Wildcatter and Unbridled Vicar (Vicar) came
next under the wire. Tiz Now Tiz Then (Tiznow) was withdrawn.
The Kentucky-bred Pyro is the second registered foal from the winning Wild
Again mare Wild Vision, who is a full sister to Grade 2 hero and sire Wild
Wonder. Wild Vision has also produced an unnamed juvenile three-quarter sister
to Pyro by Tapit, as well as an unnamed yearling colt by Gulch and another
three-quarter sibling by Tapit, a 2008 colt. This is the
family of Grade 1 stars Olympio (Naskra) and Cuvee (Carson City) as well as
Grade 2 winners Bien Nicole (Bien Bien), Early Flyer (Gilded Time), Fun House
(Prized) and Call Now (Wild Again).