Pyro Faces Tough Bluegrass Field

(From left to right: Monba, Visionaire, Cowboy Cal)

Pyro brings excellent credentials with him to the Grade I Bluegrass Stakes at Keenland this Saturday. But he'll be taking a step up in competition. The Field in post order is as follows:

Cool Coal Man, Kentucky Bear, Cowboy Cal, Stevil, Monba, Big Truck, Pyro, Stone Bird, Medjool, Miner's Claim, Halo Najib, and Visionaire.

Visionaire comes into the Bluegrass off an impressive win in the Gotham Stakes, and a third place finish in the Risen Star behind Pyro. He'll have to step up to win here. Halo Najib comes from the Lane's End Stakes, where he was second to an impressive Adriano. Miner's Claim was a very strong second to Big Glen last time out in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway on the undercard of the Lane's End. Medjool runs back from a third in the Lane's End. Pyro of course will be the one to beat in his final Kentucky Derby prep race. Big Truck brings an impressive second in the Sam F. Davis Stakes and an upset win in the Tampa Bay Derby, both at Tampa Bay Downs. He'll be taking a big step up in class here. Monba tries to rebound from a no chance run in the Fountain of Youth Stakes--he was checked hard early and came out of the race with a gash. He looks for another chance to Louisville here. Cowboy Cal has been exceptional on turf this year, and Polytrack could be the right move for him. He was dissappointing in his only dirt start to date. Cool Coal Man is proably the next best shot at a win behind Pyro. Here's who I like for this one:

1. Pyro (will fight to stay number one on all the Derby lists)

2. Visionaire (Has to overcome post 12, but has the ability)

3. Cowboy Cal (Poly shouldn't be a problem for him)

4. Monba (Fountain wasn't his best)

5. Cool Coal Man (Looks good, win here would bump him up)

6. Miner's Claim (bested by Big Glen last time, otherwise has done nothing wrong)

7. Big Truck (Is good, but may be outclassed here)

8. Halo Najib (needs a step in the right direction)

I'm pinning all my hopes on Visionaire for this one. I'd really like to see him take this step up and move forward to the Derby.