The Shedrow

Just forging ahead with Derby analysis :)

Majestic Warrior
b.c., 2005. A.P. Indy x Dream Supreme (Seeking the Gold)
3-2-0-0, $158,000 graded earnings. O:Kinsman Farm;T:Bill Mott;J:Garret Gomez;B:Kinsman Farm

Majestic Warrior is unbeaten in 2/3 of his starts. The only time he's been out of the money is a poor 6th in the Champagne Stakes (G1). He chased the pace the entire 1m in that race, but didn't fire when asked. It leaves me to wonder if 1m was too long for Majestic Warrior, but his pedigree suggests otherwise.

Majestic Warrior is by A.P. Indy, one of the finest sires of the last fifteen years. A.P. Indy will not only get you talent, but he will get you staying power. Majestic Warrior has some staying power in his bottom line as well, with the millionare Seeking the Gold mare Dream Supreme. Both A.P. Indy and Seeking the Gold contribute distance ability to a horse, but when Majestic Warrior was asked to go the extra furlong, he couldn't. Relying on Majestic Warrior's awesome pedigree, and the fact that he has won a G1 (the Hopeful), I'll chalk that bad 6th up to some other factor.

Pyro
dk.b./br. c., 2005. Pulpit x Wild Vision (Wild Again)
5-2-2-1, $660,000 graded earnings. O:Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC;T:Steve Asmussen;J:Shaun Bridgmohan;B:Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

What strikes me first about Pyro's record is his experience. He's had about 2 more starts than most of the other Derby contenders, 2 being G1 events. While Pyro finished 2nd in both of those G1s, he showed a tremendous turn of foot in both. He cut War Pass's ten-length down to about half in the final furlongs of the Breeders' Cup Juveline--it was quite the electrifying performance to watch. Pyro has raced up to 1/16m and done well.

Pyro is by the lovely Pulpit, who has sired 32 stakes winnersin 9 years at stud, including recent Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Corinthian. Pyro is Wild Vision's only racing foal to win, but I believe in this case he's outrun that bottom line.

War Pass
dk.b/br. c, 2005. Cherokee Run x Vue (Mr. Prospector)
4-4-0-0, $1,320,000 graded earnings. O:Robert V. LaPenta;T:Nick Zito;J:Cornelio Velasquez;B:Cherry Valley Farm, LLC

War Pass is one of my favorites for the Derby. He's 4 for 4, with two G1 wins, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He won the Juvenile in impressive style, leading the entire 1 1/16m to win by 4 3/4. War Pass is commanding, confident, and handles G1 company with ease.

War Pass is by Cherokee Run, an awesome Darley stallion who, like Pulpit, has sired 32 stakes winners in the past 10 years. What bothers me about Cherokee Run is that he's known for his speed, being a champion sprinter at 4. He did handle up to 1 3/16m in his 3 year old campaign, though. With some Mr. Prospector on his bottom line, hopefully War Pass will be able to run through his pedigree.