Pioneerof The Nile Accelerated in Santa Anita

I Want Revenge Prevailed in Wood and Musket Man Dominated Illinois

Apr 5, 2009 BarbaraAnne Helberg

Jockey Garrett Gomez helped Pioneerof The Nile adjust and win. I Want Revenge overcame a troubled trip to get up in the Wood Memorial. Musket Man impressed in Illinois.

"A good horse adjusts to any situation," trainer Bob Baffert told interviewers before the running of the Santa Anita Derby April 4. Baffert was all smiles before his prize colt, Pioneerof The Nile, entered the gate.

Pioneerof The Nile Adjusts to Slow Pace

Baffert and jockey Garrett Gomez knew their game plan for the Santa Anita would need on the job alterations when Z Day and The Pamplemousse both scratched. The duo was expected to set the race's pace, hopefully to the benefit of Pioneerof The Nile's usual target-chasing style.

Baffert was very certain of this horse, and he was proven right. Gomez had to pull Pioneerof The Nile out of a dash for the lead twice early in the race. However, the colt adjusted as Baffert had predicted and forged to the head of the class when asked, scoring with confidence.

Baffert won a record fifth Santa Anita Derby. His other victories came in 2001 (Point Given), 1999 (General Challenge), 1998 (Indian Charlie), and in 1995 with Cavonnier.

I Want Revenge Shows Courage in Wood Memorial

A bad start from the gate tripped up I Want Revenge in April 4's Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. Jockey Joe Talamo stayed afloat and got his mount to a good stretch approach, but was then blocked by three front runners.

I Want Revenge followed Talamo's cues away from the rail jam and burst to a lead that he refused to relinquish, winning driving away.

Musket Man Has His Way in Illinois Derby

A dominating performance was turned in by Musket Man under jockey Eibar Coa in the April 4 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course. Encountering no problems and easily equal to the task of pulling away in the stretch, Musket Man secured his triumph right on cue.

Musket Man joined same day winners Pioneerof The Nile and I Want Revenge in impressive victories that will take the trio to the Kentucky Derby scheduled for May 2.

Race Results From April 4 Prep Races

Santa Anita Derby ----- 1-1/8 M ----- (1) Pioneerof The Nile by 1 length in 1:49.17; (2) Chocolate Candy; (3) Mr. Hot Stuff.

Wood Memorial ----- 1-1/8 M ----- (1) I Want Revenge by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:49.49; (2) West Side Bernie; (3) Just a Coincidence.

Illinois Derby ----- 1-1/8 M ----- (1) Musket Man by 2 lengths in 1:49.91; (2) Giant Oak; (3) His Highness.

Records and Earnings of Musket Man, Pioneerof The Nile, I Want Revenge

Pioneerof The Nile ----- After going fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last October, has won four straight graded stakes ----- Total Earnings: $1,193,350.

I Want Revenge ----- In three wins from eight starts, has lost twice to Pioneerof The NIle; in the CashCall Futurity by a nose and in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes by 1-1/2 lengths ----- Earnings: $816,000.

Musket Man ----- Has won five of six starts and finished third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes ----- Earnings: $572,600.

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