Santa Anita Park Thoroughbred Racing

Home About Me About This Site Videos Beginner's Corner TBA Standings Road to the Roses 3 04 2009 Might the entry of the speedy rabbit Z-Day in Saturday’s running of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby spell trouble for The Pamplemousse? It seems that the connections over at Zayat Stables hope so, particularly for their impressive colt Pioneer of the Nile, who will lock horns with “The Grapefruit” for the first time this weekend. The field for the 72nd running of the Santa Anita Derby sets up like this: Chocolate Candy (J. Rosario/ J. Hollendorfer) 6/1 Z Day (A. Gryder/ M. Mitchell) 15/1 Unbridled ... Read Full Story

Home About Me About This Site Videos Beginner's Corner TBA Standings Road to the Roses 14 03 2009 Bob Baffert trained Pioneer of the Nile was all out in the stretch, but was able to maintain his drive and hold off the late charging Feisty Suances and Jeranimo to prevail in Saturday’s 72nd running of the $200,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita. The victory was the third in a row at the graded stakes level and boosted the lifetime earnings of Pioneer of the Nile to $784,200 in 7 lifetime starts. Even more importantly, he’s now earned $240,000 so far this year having ... Read Full Story

Pioneerof the Nile tugged his way to the lead on the backstretch, gave it up and then went to the front in the stretch, holding on for a 1-length victory in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday. Now, it's on to the Kentucky Derby for trainer Bob Baffert, a three-time Derby winner who hasn't had a starter since 2006. "I'm glad to be back in the show," he said after claiming his record fifth Santa Anita Derby. Pioneerof the Nile ran 1 1-8 miles on the artificial surface in 1:49.17. He was sent off as the 4-5 wagering favorite after main rival The Pamplemousse ... Read Full Story

Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge are headed to next month's Kentucky Derby as early favorites. The Pamplemousse won't be joining them in Louisville. The colt with the three-race winning streak will be sidelined indefinitely because of a lesion in his left front leg, which will keep him out of the May 2 Derby. The Pamplemousse was scratched hours before Saturday's $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, in which he was the 9-5 morning line favorite. Pioneerof the Nile went on to win by a length in Arcadia, Calif. A pre-race examination showed heat in The Pamplemousse's front left leg, and more exams Sunday revealed ... Read Full Story

The Pamplemousse has been scratched from the Santa Anita Derby because of an unspecified problem. The morning-line favorite was scratched nearly five hours before Saturday's post time for the $750,000 West Coast prep for the Kentucky Derby. The veterinarian for the California Horse Racing Board said a 7 a.m. exam of The Pamplemousse turned up an issue of concern that was brought to trainer Julio Canani's attention. He had his own vet look at the colt and further tests are scheduled. Horses can be scratched from the Santa Anita Derby until 60 minutes before post time without explanation. Cape Truth also was scratched, leaving ... Read Full Story