4/12 (KEE): Blue Grass (Gr. I)

[Thunder Gulch]

It was terrible, but it was a surface he clearly hated. Would anyone be excited about backing Kip Deville or English Channel if they threw him out against Curlin and co on dirt? It's a rare animal indeed that can perfom at the top levels on all surfaces, but a bad performance on one not preferred can be excused. Now the question with Pyro is whether something is wrong, whether he isn't good, or whether he needs to get back on dirt to run his race. That's why they call it gambling and now you'll get some odds to help backing Pyro if you like him.

[HaloWishingwell]

True nothing has gone wrong for him on dirt but up to now he has handled all sorts of conditions. Fast or sloppy tracks PYRO has run good or creditable races. Yesterday was a disaster regardless of the track. He might rebound and be a trivia answer for the worst finish before a Derby but I'll bet against it and guess there's more to it.

No there isn't more to it. It's fairly simple to figure out.

Pyro is a dead closer. He didn't take to the track. He finished where dead closers finish on a surface they don't fancy.

[Danzig]

so, if curlin makes it to the bc classic and gets his bright red butt handed to him, how many will blame the switch to poly? i'd bet plenty.

poly is NOT dirt. i think the analogy above about putting kip deville vs curlin is right on. people have got to come to the realization that there are now three surfaces in this sport. not, turf and then dirt/poly. dirt and poly are not the same in any way. some can make the move, just like some can run on dirt and turf. but it's not a given.
you look at any pyro race before yesterday, what do you see? look at the poly sires list, who is missing?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

No there isn't more to it. It's fairly simple to figure out.

Pyro is a dead closer. He didn't take to the track. He finished where dead closers finish on a surface they don't fancy.

i agree. i mean, monba won. does anyone really think the bluegrass tells us anything about what will happen in three weeks??

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by HaloWishingwell

True nothing has gone wrong for him on dirt but up to now he has handled all sorts of conditions. Fast or sloppy tracks PYRO has run good or creditable races. Yesterday was a disaster regardless of the track. He might rebound and be a trivia answer for the worst finish before a Derby but I'll bet against it and guess there's more to it.

I dont think you will have to worry about the "Bounce factor" when Pyro runs next.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Danzig

so, if curlin makes it to the bc classic and gets his bright red butt handed to him, how many will blame the switch to poly? i'd bet plenty.

poly is NOT dirt. i think the analogy above about putting kip deville vs curlin is right on. people have got to come to the realization that there are now three surfaces in this sport. not, turf and then dirt/poly. dirt and poly are not the same in any way. some can make the move, just like some can run on dirt and turf. but it's not a given.
you look at any pyro race before yesterday, what do you see? look at the poly sires list, who is missing?

LOL at his bright red butt ...

[DCracing]

if all the big names are off the board, what does that say? i vote for tossing this race. and i am officially on the visionaire bandwagon! at least for the next 20 minutes...

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i agree. i mean, monba won. does anyone really think the bluegrass tells us anything about what will happen in three weeks??

The Bluegrass will not tell us anything. Last year with Street Sense told us the same thing.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

The Bluegrass will not tell us anything. Last year with Street Sense told us the same thing.

Street Sense at least put forth an effort on the stuff ...

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Street Sense at least put forth an effort on the stuff ...

Street Cry's are also doing far better on the synthetics than Pulpit's.

[fpsoxfan]

True, but Pyro and a few others had nothing to gain by running hard in this race. It was, what amounts to be a public workout for Pyro. Like someone mentioned in another thread, Asmussen not showing up was a good indicator he knew the horse wasn't going to be close to the winners circle.

[fpsoxfan]

I just watched the replay again, it looked like Kentucky Bear was running on the wrong lead at the end. He was running very hard and was drifting in. With nobody inside of him, I'm surprised the jock didn't switch him and let him go inside the top 2 finishers. If anyone has a second, check it out and let me know if that was a possibility or if, as usual I'm just seeing this wrong. Thanks!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

The Bluegrass will not tell us anything. Last year with Street Sense told us the same thing.

i agree. the race means nothing imo on derby day, altho i continue to like cool coal man, who finished third. but he's one of several imo who have a shot next month.

[jms62]

No conditioning ?? Are you out of your mind ? I got no conditioning yesterday laying on the sofa and watching the races. Regardless of how Pyro ran he still RAN 1 1/8 miles.. That is conditioning.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

I just watched the replay again, it looked like Kentucky Bear was running on the wrong lead at the end. He was running very hard and was drifting in. With nobody inside of him, I'm surprised the jock didn't switch him and let him go inside the top 2 finishers. If anyone has a second, check it out and let me know if that was a possibility or if, as usual I'm just seeing this wrong. Thanks!

He could be very dangerous in the Preakness. From his maiden we know he can run on the real dirt.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by jms62

No conditioning ?? Are you out of your mind ? I got no conditioning yesterday laying on the sofa and watching the races. Regardless of how Pyro ran he still RAN 1 1/8 miles.. That is conditioning.

I think you're completely wrong, but I think Assmussen will have him ready anyways.

[jcs11204]

thanks hockey.... i think jms is the one out of his mind... this horse did not run a lick, lol 1 1/8.... amazing he never once ran he just loped around the track

[Mike]

Originally Posted by jcs11204

thanks hockey.... i think jms is the one out of his mind... this horse did not run a lick, lol 1 1/8.... amazing he never once ran he just loped around the track

If Pyro didn't run hard at all, then you must be saying he didn't handle the track(?) Isn't it better than if he had run hard but came in 10th?

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i agree. the race means nothing imo on derby day, altho i continue to like cool coal man, who finished third. but he's one of several imo who have a shot next month.

Cool Coal Man finished 3rd?