Breeding & Racing Magazine

Pioneerof The Nile Wins US Gr1 Santa Anita Derby

Favoured colt Pioneerof The Nile (Empire Maker-Star Of Goshen, by Lord At War) also confirmed his upcoming Gr1 Kentucky Derby credentials by notching his 4th successive graded-stakes victory with a 1-length win in the US$750,000 Gr1 Santa Anita Derby (9 furlongs on all-weather) for 3YOs at Santa Anita Park in California. Pioneerof The Nile (ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Bob Baffert) defeated fellow colts Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride-Crownette, by Seattle Slew) & Mr Hot Stuff (Tiznow-Sweet Damsel, by Turkoman). Kentucky-bred Pioneerof The Nile (a US$290,000 yearling at the 2007 Keeneland September Sale) took his record to 5 wins (also including March's Gr2 San Felipe Stakes over 8.5 furlongs at Santa Anita & February's Gr2 Robert Lewis Stakes over 8.5 furlongs at Santa Anita, plus 2008's Gr1 Hollywood Futurity over 8.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park) & a placing (in 2008's Gr1 Lane's End Breeders' Futurity over 8.5 furlongs at Keeneland) from 8 starts for US$1,234,200 earnings.