Bodog Beat

Pyro and Shaun Bridgmohan took the Louisiana Derby. (AP Images)

For the cream of the sophomore crop, all roads lead to Louisville in the spring. With this in mind the connections of Derby favorites War Pass and Pyro have chosen different routes for their charges, but the ultimate destination remains the same. These two overachievers have distinguished themselves as the key players on this year’s Kentucky Derby stage, drawing away from their peers in the minds of astute handicappers.

War Pass, trained by cagey veteran Nick Zito, has taken a passive approach to his Derby preparation. Last year’s juvenile champion was in no hurry to start his 3-year-old campaign and made his first appearance in a non-descript allowance race on the Fountain of Youth undercard at Gulfstream. The result was an easy gate-to-wire win that extended his undefeated status but was little more than an extended workout.

Pyro, under the clever tutelage of Steve Asmussen, has been gaining valuable racing experience while building a fan club that now equals that of his juvenile nemesis. Unable to put a dent in War Pass’s armor in three attempts as a juvenile, the slow-learner has caught fire this year. Impressive wins in the Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby and his versatile winning tactics have moved him to the top of the sophomore class.

War Pass has landed another soft spot in Saturday’s 8.5 furlong Gr. 3 Tampa Bay Derby, while Pyro has the Gr. 1 Blue Grass on April 12 at nine furlongs circled on his calendar. Different routes quickly approaching the same destination – Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

Don't forget to get your Kentucky Derby futures in the Bodog Racebook.