Pyro can burn up opposition as march to Kentucky Deby continues

US Racing / Nick Shiambouros / 07 March 2008 / Leave a Comment

After Heatseeker underlines greatness with storming win, Nick Shiambouros is looking for more hot performances this weekend

The Kentucky Derby picture did not change a great deal last week after El Gato Malo was beaten at odds on by Colonel John in The Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. The favourite had every chance to run down the winner and had no excuse for this defeat.

I have to say, based on what I have seen so far the horses on the west coast are not quite as good as those on the east coast.

Also on last Saturday's great Santa Anita card fans were treated to one of the best races I have seen all year when Heatseeker won the Santa Anita Handicap in great style coming from off the pace and quickening to win this prestigious Grade 1. This was the best race I have seen this year for older horses and Heetseeker went to the top of his generation with this huge effort by beating horses like Tiago and Awesome Gem easily. The Breeder's Cup Classic later on in the year is his main target but a lot can happen between now and the autumn.

I was on course at Gulfstream Park to witness a decent effort by Sir Whimsey in The Gulfstream Park Handicap holding off the sustained challenge of Fairbanks with the weakening Kiss The kid back in third. One of the reasons for my visit was to get a chance to see Daheer who was originally due to take his place in this race but his trainer sent him to Aqueduct instead to contest a minor Stakes race. Daheer was soundly beaten at odds-on at Aqueduct and he has clearly regressed since his brilliant victory in the Cigar Mile last year and he is best left alone after this dismal effort.

This weekend features some of the very best racing you will see anywhere in the world and all eyes will be on Pyro in the Louisiana Derby at The Fairgrounds on Saturday. The horse is my choice to win The Kentucky Derby and he needs to win this to retain his position at the top of the Derby betting. I am hoping he will be around [2.5] give or take because he faces some very strong opposition in Majestic Warrior and Tale Of Ekati in this hot race.

Another great race in store this week is The Gotham Stakes run at Aqueduct on Saturday. This Derby trial features a couple of nice horses in the shape of Giant Moon and Saratoga Russell. I think that the latter should go well in this contest and should be available at around [3.8] for the win.

Down at Gulfstream Park also on Saturday I think Commentator will be very hard to beat in The Richter Scale Sprint Handicap for older horses. I think he should be around [2.6] owing to the presence of Chatain in the race, a real danger to the selection. As previously reported it is nice to see trainer Nick Zito having such a great season with his three-year-olds but Commentator is his best older horse by far and this just highlights this great trainer's talents.

Finally I would like to pay tribute to Bloodstock agent Richard Galpin who died last week in hospital in Miami. Richard was very well known at all the major sales around the world and was a bright and colourful person. He will be greatly missed.