The race for the Kentucky Derby is on and Pyro blazed to the fore as a Triple Crown contender on Saturday, March 8, with his 3-length victory in the $600,000 G2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.

“I knew what I had and he gave it to me,” said jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. “A spot opened for him on the straightaway and he went about his business,”

Pyro solidified his status as one of the nation’s top 3-year-olds, when he took command in mid-stretch to unleash his hallmark late run, just as he had done four weeks ago in the Risen Star Stakes. The win, his third from six lifetime starts, increased his earnings to $1,056,718. Pyro was runnerup to War Pass in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and an Eclipse Award finalist for champion 2-year-old.

“It looks like he’s right on target,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains the Pulpit-sired colt for Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC. Asmussen was last year’s leading trainer in number of wins, including the Preakness Stakes with 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin.

Curlin, who worked in company with Pryo when he was stabled at Fair Grounds earlier this year, is currently in the United Arab Emirates in preparation for the world’s richest race venue, the $15.25 million Dubai Cup on March 29.