The Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at the Fair Grounds on Saturday drew a surprisingly large and talented field given the presence of Pyro, one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby. Coming off of a spectacular two-length win over Z Humor in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. III), the Steve Asmussen trainee looks to certify himself as the "real deal" but will need to defeat eight very capable rivals in the 1 1/16 mile contest.

Tale of Ekati could be Pyro's main threat. The son of Tale of the Cat, trained by Barcalay Tagg, is making his 2008 debut after a dismal Breeders' Cup Juvenile showing. The Futurity Stakes winner at Belmont last fall boasts an excellent female family and a shrewd trainer, but it is possible that he may have distance concerns and he may also need a race, coming off of a four month layoff.

Majestic Warrior is coming off an even longer layoff, having not started since the Champagne Stakes at Belmont. The Bill Mott sophomore is by A.P. Indy, a solid distance influence, and is out of Dream Supreme, a Grade 1 winner of over $1 million sprinting. Majestic Warrior won the seven furlong Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga but has been plagued with injury since the fall, and, like Tale of Ekati, he may need a race under his belt.

That leaves Yankee Bravo and J Be K to pick up the pieces if one of the top three fails to pull off the win. J Be K is Pyro's stablemate who set a blistering track record of 1:03.13 for five and a half furlongs at Saratoga. In his first start for Asmussen, J Be K won an allowance at the Fair Grounds on February 15th.

Yankee Bravo, victorious in the California Derby in January in his second start in the United States, could have stayed in Northern California for the El Camino Real Derby but instead will tackle the bigger purse in this race. The son of Yankee Gentleman is also a stakes winner on the turf and has won over the Louisiana Derby distance.

Stevil on the rail, My Pal Charlie, Unbridled Vicar, and Blackberry Road round out the field of nine.