Pioneerof the Nile Holds on in the CashCall Futurity

By Profitus Maximus
December 21, 2008

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Pioneerof the Nile entered the 2009 Kentucky Derby picture by winning a hard fought victory over I Want Revenge to take the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Long shot Frumius set the pace and soon hooked up with Ventana in a speed duel. They began to come back to the field past the half-mile pole, but then the pair for the second time began to get away from the field by a few lengths at the three-eighths pole, but nearing the quarter pole the margin diminished and the fast pace would prove to be too much for them as favorite Pioneerof the Nile got within a couple lengths and began to gradually close in.

As they reached the top of the stretch, Frumius won the battle over Ventana but began to weaken in the final furlong, and Pioneer of the Nile had taken a clear lead. Meanwhile, I Want Revenge bulled his way through horses at the top of the stretch to stake his claim and these two battled down to the wire, with Pioneerof the Nile holding on by a nose.

Despite only a maiden win to his credit, I Want Revenge made Pioneerof the Nile work for it right down to the wire, but Garret Gomez who was aboard Pioneerof the Nile is extremely hard to pass in the stretch.

Chocolate Candy rallied late and ran up into a clear third after a wide trip and is one to watch on the Kentucky Derby trail.

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Second betting choice Azul Leon finished fifth but was impeded just past the 1/8 pole, getting caught in behind a tiring Frumius.

Pioneerof the Nile completed 1 1/16 miles on the Hollywood Park Cushion Track in 1:41.95 and paid $4.80 to win on a $2 bet.

The victory gave trainer Bob Baffert his fourth win in the CashCall Futurity (formerly the Hollywood Futurity) which has included eventual Dubai World Cup winner Captain Steve, Belmont Stakes winner Point Given, and Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet.