Pyro set to light it up in Louisiana Derby

Horseracing Betting Lines

03/03/2008 - New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pyro, winner of the Risen Star Stakes, heads a field of nine for Saturday's $600,000 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds. The 1 1/16 mile race is a major event on the way to the Kentucky Derby.

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Pyro has career earnings of $696,718 with two wins in five starts. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the three-year-old is the 7-5 morning-line favorite and will start from post three with Shaun Bridgmohan again in the saddle.

Following a win in his initial lifetime start, Pyro was third in an allowance race and then posted two straight second-place finishes in the Champagne Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile. It was War Pass who got the best of Pyro in those two stakes races.

If all goes according to plan Pyro will race in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday, April 12 prior to the Kentucky Derby.

Asmussen's other starter in the Louisiana Derby will be J Be K, who will break from post four with Kent Desormeaux riding. Owned by Zayat Stables, J Be K is undefeated in two career starts and is 12-1 in the program.

Making his 2008 debut is highly regarded Tale of Ekati, who is 7-2 in the morning-line. The colt will be ridden by Edgar Prado from post six.

Tale of Ekati is trained by Barclay Tagg for Charles Fipke. The three-year-old has won two of four starts, including last year's Futurity at Belmont Park. He was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and second in the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga, and brings a bankroll of $313,200 into Saturday's race.

California Derby winner Yankee Bravo is the third choice at 4-1. Trained by Paddy Gallagher, the colt will start from post eight with Alex Solis riding for the third straight time.

Yankee Bravo came from last in a 12-horse field to win the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields in late January. He is perfect in three career starts for $142,049. The colt is nominated for the Santa Anita Derby on April 5.

Here is the complete field for the Louisiana Derby, which has a post-time of 5:48 p.m. (et): Stevil, Calvin Borel 15-1; My Pal Charlie, Julien Leparoux 20-1; Pyro, Shaun Bridgmohan 7-5; J Be K, Kent Desormeaux 12-1; Unbridled Vicar, Corie Lanerie 20-1; Tale of Ekati, Edgar Prado 7-2; Blackberry Road, Robby Albarado 10-1; Yankee Bravo, Alex Solis 4-1; and Majestic Warrior, Garrett Gomez 9-2.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.