PIONEEROF THE NILE SIZZLES AT CHURCHILL
(From Churchill Downs)
Zayat Stables’ Pioneerof the Nile brought a smile to the face of three-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert with a sharp five-furlong work over a fast Churchill Downs track on April 21.
Joe Steiner was in the saddle as the son of 2003 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) runner-up and Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Empire Maker covered the distance in 1:00.80. The time was the fourth-fastest of 19 at the distance over a surface that seemed to be playing slower as the morning wore on.
Pioneerof the Nile, who made the recent Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) his fourth consecutive stakes victory, covered the distance in fractional times of :12.20, :24.20, and :36.40. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.40.
Baffert said the work was actually longer than the five furlongs credited to the colt by Churchill Downs clockers.
“He looked good; he skipped right over it,” said Baffert. “I ended up working him seven-eighths and let him gallop out strong. I got him in :26-and three, and he galloped out all the way down the backside. So it was a good little work and it was not really hard on him.”
Baffert is pleased with the way Pioneerof the Nile is getting over the sandy loam surface at Churchill Downs. He has raced exclusively on turf and synthetic surfaces in his eight career starts.
“It was nice and relaxed. I didn’t want to do too much,” Baffert said. “It looked like he skipped over it, because I know the track, with the rain, was a little bit deep. I had some other horses work and some horses struggled over it. But he has taken to it great, so far. I like what I see.”
Baffert said Pioneerof the Nile would work one more time before the May 2 Derby, most likely on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Eclipse Award-winning jockey Garrett Gomez will ride the colt in the Run for the Roses.
Pioneerof the Nile has a record of 5-0-1 in eight races and has earned $1,234,200.
Date:
22 April 2009