Pyro fires late to win Forego

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. Pyro capped a magnificent meet for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Stable by rallying from next-to-last in a 12-horse field to win Saturday's by a half-length over Kodiak Kowboy. It was another half-length back to Ready's Echo in third.

The win was the eighth from 14 starters at the meet for Godolphin, including four Grade 1 victories. Godolphin's other Grade 1 wins came in the Test with Flashing, the Ballerina with Music Note, and the Go for Wand with Seventh Street,

"It's been one of those magical meets, everything has gone right,'' said Rick Mettee, the assistant trainer for Godolphin. "You really appreciate it after the Belmont meet we had.''

Godolphin won only one race at the Belmont spring/summer meet.

It was also the first Grade 1 win for Pyro, who had a bevy of graded victories last year as a 3-year-old, including the Louisiana Derby. Risen Star and Northern Dancer.

Pyro, making just his second start since Godolphin took over as owner, broke poorly and was 11th of 12 down the backside. Multidude battled on the front end along with Riley Tucker through fractions of 22.48 seconds and 45.24 for the opening half-mile.

John Velazquez advanced Pyro into contention along the inside, and turning for home he began looking for a seam toward the outside. Velazquez finally found it in the five path, slid inside of Kodiak Kowboy and True Quality. and outfinished Kodiak Kowboy for the win.

"I was biding my time with him, just waiting for a seam to open, and when it did he was there for me,'' said Velazquez.

Pyro, a son of Pulpit, covered seven furlongs in 1:21.48 and returned $10.20.

"We really weren't worried when he broke a little slow, he has a history of doing that,'' Mettee said. "I didn't know if the 45 was fast enough, but they thinned out. Johnny gave him a perfect trip, which is good because to beat a horse like Kodiak Kowboy you have to pull a perfect trip."