Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Pioneerof the Nile Headed For The Kentucky Derby 135
Posted on Sunday, April 5th, 2009
Overcoming the challenge of another paceless race, Pioneerof the Nile Saturday enhanced his status as one of the leading Kentucky Derby entries for the May 2 Kentucky Derby 135 with a 1-length victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
It’s on to Churchill Downs for the son of 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker and race horse trainer Bob Baffert, who has saddled 3 Kentucky Derby winners, but who hasn’t had any Kentucky Derby starters in the past 2 years.
“He came out of the race very good, and he’ll probably leave for Kentucky on the 14th,” race horse trainer Bob Baffert said. “He’s still pretty fresh at the barn this morning. He never had to lay his body down.”
In winning Hollywood Park‘s CashCall Futurity (G1) last Dec. 20 in his final start at 2; the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) in his 3-year-old debut on Feb. 7; the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 14, and the Santa Anita Derby, Pioneerof the Nile has rarely if ever experienced a pace scenario that would benefit his come-from-behind style.
“I’m figuring out his style as we go along,” Baffert said. “I learned a lot from that horse yesterday. You get a little bit out of each race, and it prepares me for the Derby, so I’m really happy with my situation right now. The only time he really hooked top-caliber horses was in the Robert Lewis. But we know what he can do when he does hook them, and he’s improving.”
Jockey Garrett Gomez has ridden Pioneerof the Nile in each of his four victories, but the nation’s Eclipse Award winner the past 2 years as outstanding jockey also has ridden Florida Derby runner-up Dunkirk for race horse trainer Todd Pletcher, who hopes to make the 2009 Kentucky Derby with the son of Unbridled’s Song, despite marginal graded earnings at this time.
“I haven’t even given that any thought,” Baffert said when asked if he had jockey Garrett Gomez for the Kentucky Derby.
Horse racing news edited from www.santaanita.com.
Tags: Pioneerof the Nile
"Pioneerof the Nile Headed For The Kentucky Derby 135" was posted on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 at 11:05 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Santa Anita Track, Stakes Races, Triple Crown, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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