Steve Asmussen trained, Pyro, winner of the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby will have to run big in Keeneland’s Toyota Blue Grass Stakes to wrestle the Derby favorite’s role from the awe-inspiring Big Brown who romped home five lengths in front in the March 29, Florida Derby.  The bay colt named for the delivery giant, UPS, delivered the goods from the disadvantaged twelve post position, assuring him a pill in the Derby entry box.  His trainer, Richard Dutrow tipped his hand when he chose to stay with Big Brown rather than to travel to Dubai where he had two horses and two subsequent winners in the Dubai World Cup Races.  Big Brown was impressive here on Hopeful day, when he cruised to a 111/4 length victory in a maiden event on the turf. 

Quarter cracks in both front hooves delayed his next start but there was no sign of weak packaging around the hooves that pounded home via express to win his second start on March 5 at Gulfstream by 123/4 lengths. Hall of Fame and twice Derby winning jockey, Kent Desormeaux is helpless to hide his enthusiasm for this colt, calling Big Brown “possibly the best horse I have ever ridden.” His front running style is likely to pose problems for Zito’s War Pass who delivered distinct disfavor for running from off the pace with a disappointing last place finish to Barclay Tagg’s Big Truck in the Tampa Bay Derby.  War Pass came back to set the pace in the Wood Memorial but was caught late by Tagg’s Derby bound Tale of Ekati.  Big Truck will test his mettle in the Blue Grass where his connections are hoping to find  similarities to Funny Cide are not limited to their both being NY-bred geldings from speed favoring families.

Gotham winner Visionnaire drew the 12 post in the biggest field to contest the Blue Grass since Play Fellow won the prestigious race in ’83.  Zito’s best chance to be in the winner’s circle on the first Saturday in May appears to rest with his Fountain of Youth winner Cool Coal Man who drew the 1 post for Saturday’s Blue Grass. Todd Pletcher has his last two remaining Derby hopefuls, Cowboy Cal and Monba entered in the same Keeneland Grade 1 Stake.  The Arkansas Derby and the Holy Bull lack big name colts going in but either race could produce Derby starters.

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