Stable Notes

PIONEEROF THE NILE IN ‘BEST WORK’ FOR DERBY; JOCKEY STILL OPEN

Santa Anita Derby winner Pioneerof the Nile had his final workout at Santa Anita Wednesday on a blustery but sun-drenched morning before departing for Churchill Downs Thursday where the son of Empire Maker will prepare for the 135th Kentucky Derby on May 2.

‘CANDY’ IN SWEET DRILL AS CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ FOR DERBY GROWS

Chocolate Candy, runner-up in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby and one of four major Kentucky Derby contenders based in Southern California, worked five furlongs under new rider Mike Smith on Pro-Ride Sunday in :59.20. The son of Candy Ride is scheduled to leave Tuesday for Louisville to prepare for the 135th Kentucky Derby on May 2.

“I was happy with the work,” said trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “Mike was able to familiarize himself with the horse, and he’s going to work the horse two times at Churchill Downs.”

SQUARE EDDIE TO USE LEXINGTON STAKES AS KENTUCKY DERBY PREP

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Square Eddie, who had been expected to train up to the Kentucky Derby on May 2, instead will first run in next Saturday’s Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, if all goes well following a scheduled six furlong workout at Hollywood Park tomorrow.
“That’s the tentative game plan,” trainer Doug O’Neill said Friday morning from his Hollywood headquarters, where Square Eddie has been training forwardly after recovering from shin problems that sidelined him since early February.

STEINER ‘WORKS’ HIS WAY TO KENTUCKY DERBY WITH PIONEEROF THE NILE

Joey Steiner never won the Kentucky Derby. Never rode in it, as a matter of fact. But on May 2 of this year, the former jockey could enjoy a vicarious victory, if Pioneerof the Nile wins the 135th classic at Churchill Downs.

TUSCAN EVENING EYES THIRD STRAIGHT IN SUNDAY’S LAS CIENEGAS

Tuscan Evening seeks her third straight win in the United States in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Cienegas Handicap for older fillies and mares at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf.
The Irish-bred daughter of Oasis Dream trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for owner William de Burgh broke her maiden by five lengths Jan. 22 in her U.S. debut on Santa Anita’s unique downhill course, then came back to win an allowance race on the same course by nearly four lengths on Feb. 28.

BAFFERT EYES ROSES FOR SANTA ANITA DERBY KING PIONEEROF THE NILE

Overcoming the challenge of another paceless race, Pioneerof the Nile Saturday enhanced his status as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 with a one-length victory in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby,

It’s on to Churchill Downs for the son of 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker and Bob Baffert, who has won the Run for the Roses three times, but who has not had a participant in the mile and a quarter classic the past two years.

HORSEMEN FANCY ‘BIG THREE’ IN SANTA ANITA DERBY

The Pamplemousse, Pioneerof the Nile and Chocolate Candy—the three morning line choices—dominated selections made by local horsemen in an informal backstretch poll on Saturday’s Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, which drew a field of 10 going a mile and an eighth.

‘NILE’ SET FOR SANTA ANITA DERBY SHOWDOWN WITH PAMPLEMOUSSE

Despite victories in his last three races, all graded stakes, Pioneerof the Nile’s stock in some quarters has tumbled like a stone in a landslide. Understandably, Team Baffert isn’t buying.
Bob Baffert, who trains Pioneerof the Nile, and Garrett Gomez, who is unbeaten in three rides on the son of Empire Maker, shrug off criticism that Pioneerof the Nile did not win the Grade I CashCall Futurity, the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes and the Grade II San Felipe Stakes in eye-catching fashion.

THE PAMPLEMOUSSE, PIONEEROF THE NILE FAVORED IN SANTA ANITA DERBY

On a picturesque Southern California Wednesday morning replete with blue skies, sunshine and balmy temperatures, The Pamplemousse and Pioneerof the Nile were installed close first and second choices for Saturday’s Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, a race that has all the earmarks of a heavyweight championship match.

PAMPLEMOUSSE, ‘PIONEER’ SET FOR EPIC MATCH IN SANTA ANITA DERBY
Ali-Frazier, Celtics-Lakers, Yankees-Red Sox, The Pamplemousse-Pioneerof the Nile. With all due respect to the other participants in next Saturday’s Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, The Pamplemousse and Pioneerof the Nile have captured the fancy of racing fans. The two 3-year-olds are the heavyweights the racing world will focus on with keen intensity as they take what they hope will be their final step towards the Kentucky Derby on May 2.