Per the Blood Horse, the favored Pioneerof The Nile took the Santa Anita Derby in California. The colt stalked the pace, then took over turning for home and held off late bids from Chocolate Candy and Mr. Hot Stuff. Pioneerof The Nile, trained by three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, was expected to be strongly challenged by dual stakeswinner The Pamplemousse, but the highly-regarded colt was scratched with a tendon problem the morning of the race. His Derby status is in question.
Racing fans reacted shortly after the race.
raceday360 The Turk is checking in from Santa Anita: http://is.gd/qLEo. Reports "loud moans" rolled through grandstand at news of Pamplemousse scratch.
bloodstock They are going to have to get PON to settle. If not. kiss the derby goodbye. Very nice run from Eon's colt
EJXD2 If Pioneerof is 10-1 or better on Derby day I might have to pawn something.
Also on the Blood Horse, I Want Revenge won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, just outside of New York City, despite a troubled trip. The colt broke poorly from the starting gate, then was caught in traffic turning for home. He bulled his way between horses with a gritty late run to take command late. I Want Revenge made it back-to-back stakes wins after taking the Gotham last month and is headed to Kentucky as one of the Derby favorites.
His strong performance was discussed on Twitter shortly afterward.
JimTheTolerable What in the world did we just see?? I am breathless...
AlexBrownRacing @joedrape yes, nice win from I Want Revenge despite a very poor ride. would be surprised if talamo keeps the mount for the Derby.
