PIONEEROF THE NILE STRIKES ON SECOND OUTING

Aricle taken from the TDN

SAR, $63,000, Msw, 2yo, 1:41 2/5,
O/B-Zayat Stables LLC (KY), T-Bill Mott

PIONEEROF THE NILE, (c, 2, EMPIRE MAKER--Star of Goshen, by Lord at War {Arg}), was fourth on debut Aug. 4 at Saratoga, closing to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner in a maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Making his second start, the dark bay lunged at the start and raced seventh behind horses up the backstretch. After entering the far turn, he began to pick off rivals while racing between horses before he struck to the front midstretch to win by one length as the 3-1 favorite. Lime Rickey (Kingmambo), third his latest outing Aug. 4, was shut off in the stretch, but eventually shook clear and was only marginally gaining on Pioneerof the Nile to finish second. The winner was a $290,000 KEESEP yearling and is half to Forefathers (Gone West), a MGSP earner of $179,060.  Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $40,950. 
 

Sohby Sonbol, Racing Manager to Zayat Stables, said after the race, "He trains very well on the dirt. The only reason we ran him on the grass is because he just can’t go six furlongs. We’re thinking for his next spot either the GI Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity [on the Polytrack] at Keeneland [Oct. 4], or the GIII Pilgrim BC S. [on the grass at Belmont Sept. 28]. After that, hopefully he takes us to the Breeders’ Cup--we’re very excited about him. It’s a special feeling when it’s a homebred.”

Date: 26 August 2008