Track announcer Trevor Denman’s call was spot on as The Pamplemousse prepared to cross the finish line in Saturday’s running of the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita Park;
“…they would need to sprout wings to catch him…”
Indeed. The impressive son of Kafwain with the funny name (pronounced “pample-moose” in case, like me, your first inclination was to make it more of a “pimple mouse” enunciation) has now pulled off 3 straight victories in a row, with each one being an improvement on the last. Julio Canani’s grapefruit has only one test left to pass out west on the road to the Kentucky Derby when he faces off against Pioneer of the Nile and (perhaps) Stardom Bound in the Santa Anita Derby in April.
The Pamplemousse is a horse that has become quite popular with fans following the action out in California. Visually, he’s an impressive colt that looks big and well put together to me. If you haven’t had a chance to get up close and personal with him, you’re in luck; Mary Forney has been documenting him in the morning workouts and getting some always entertaining Julio Canani camera time and it’s all available on youtube.
Take the Points proved something to me by running fairly well for 2nd in the Sham. Prior to the race I had mentioned that I’m not fond of horses shipping from east to west (especially not on such short notice), but he showed up and ran extremely well. This might be a horse to keep an eye on as well. Not many have the versatility to run big on both dirt and synthetics. I think this guy has a future in front of him. Colonel John’s full brother Mr. Hot Stuff got up for third.
The challenge The Pamplemousse will likely have to overcome one of these days is to his front running, gate to wire style. The only thing we need to see from this colt is that he can relax. However, isn’t it somewhat more impressive that he’s doing this over the Santa Anita Pro Ride? It’s not the most speed favoring track in recent memory and tends to play more like a turf course. Plus, all he does is run the competition out of their shoes. You’ve got to love that, but I’m still a bit cautious about his chances come the First Saturday in May.
In the other major action of the day, Quality Road turned in a bit of a shocker in the Fountain of Youth. Several of you had mentioned this horse as a runner you expected big things from, so I’m hoping there were a few cashed tickets out there amongst the faithful. Me, I got burned by him as I expected him to be part of a hot pace. That didn’t really develop right away, and by the time it did Quality Road was actually in good position to benefit from it stalking just behind This One’s for Phil.
My choice, Beethoven, ran on for third, but never really threatened. Quality Road won in impressive fashion, absolutely blowing away This One’s for Phil in the stretch. The win is the third quality performance that the aptly named Quality Road has turned out thus far in his career, and it looks like the son of Elusive Quality should be able to get some extra distance if trainer James Jerkens decides to point him towards either the Florida Derby or the Wood Memorial in early April.
I also thought Theregoesjojo was running very well late and it will be interesting to see where trainer Ken McPeek points this guy next. For now though, Quality Road definitely looks like a colt to keep an eye on in the coming months. Obviously the Pamplemousse was already on most everyone’s radar, but it’s always nice to welcome a relatively new colt to the discussion, so come on down Quality Road and pull up a chair.
Next weekend should bring even more intrigue as we get to see Haynesfield, Imperial Council, Mr. Fantasy, and others in the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct. Things are starting to get interesting, that’s for sure. If you’re curious about my top 10 Derby contenders at the moment, I’d rank ‘em like this:
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Old Fashioned
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Dunkirk
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Pioneer of the Nile
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Friesan Fire
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The Pamplemousse
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Patena (must live up to the hype to prove this position though)
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Quality Road (rocketing up my list)
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Haynesfield (will get toughest test yet in the Gotham, but has earned this ranking thus far)
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Imperial Council (is he the real deal?)
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Stardom Bound (get the feeling she’ll head to the Oaks instead of the Derby)
‘The PAMPLEMOUSSE’ reinforced my selection of him to possibly be my DERBY PICK with a relatively well in hand win in the SHAM. ROAD TO THE DERBY IS LONG AND GRUELING – WE SHALL SEE IN THE COMING RACES IF THIS CHOICE ‘GRAPEFRUIT’ BELONGS. No one else in this race particularly distinguished themselves.
Not very impressive in the ‘FOUNTAIN-of-YOUTH’. OK times but nothing distinguishing. Later races in Southern Schedule races will determine the ‘true’ DERBY contenders. 1.09+ for 6 furlongs then 135+ for the finish – nothing special in finishing-up.
quality road was very impressive in his win..i believe he is worthy of being a contender.as for the pamlemousse he looks great and has been on my list.but can he run on dirt?? we have seen great poly horses come east and not be able to run on dirt..sticking with old fashioned..Dunkirk impressive but i think too green..fresian fire”the brawler” has shown the fighter qualities needed to win the big ones
why is it that the run up to the race is ”this will tell whether they belong or not” and then after the race”times are slow or wasn’t a good field”?? foy had very good horses in it Beethoven showed us he can come from behind..it isn’t always about winning but lets hear it for improvement and maturing for all these yougsters
Beethoven basically passed the rest of the field (“Not”, “Phil”, Taqarub, Capt. Candyman Can, BWE, etc). I was very impressed with his run as well as that of JoJo and Quality Road.
Pamplemousse really didn’t beat much – the PPs looked like a NX1 besides the winner. At this point, I’d be surprised if Stardom Bound doesn’t enter into the SA Derby with the lack of depth in California.
Quality Road has the top and bottom breeding to be a 1 1/4 mile horse. Is he? Like many, I liked the way Theregoesjojo and Beethoven closed. I see Ward really taking his time with Beethoven, since he probably has all the graded earnings he needs to get into the Derby gate.
Kevin,
Do you think that OLD FASHIONED wiill have enough competiion come Arky Derby time to justify the top spot in your poll??? Wait, I see that MIDSHIPMAN, another son of UNBRIDLED’S SONG is officially off the Derby trail. How long will the others last?
Belles,
Your recap is terrific! My money is on QUALITY ROAD vs. THE PAMPLEMOUSSE. Check out my post if you have a chance.
Horses run against other Horses – obviously; but the times[splits in the actual races] are very indicative of the potential of these Horses to run ‘classic’ distances, ie 1mile+1/2, 1mile+3/16, and of course 1mile+1/4.
times are important but not imperative..i look for always improvement..whether it be learning to rate or running in a staight lane even more important smooth lead changes at the asking..all of these things lead to a great racehorse.these are all young horses..i do not want to see blistering speeds..gotta leave something in the tank for the big races
Or as SENOR LURO used to say regarding impressive timers or speedy works “You don’t want to squeeze the lemon of all its juice too early.”
yes ..senor luro..
Just dropping by.Btw, you website have great content!
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Did anyone see Frank Stronach’s article in the Thoroughbred Times about the Eclipse Award voting? I don’t like his idea at all!!
no i have to go check it out
Proud Spell is making her 2009 debut this Sunday in the Azeri at Oaklawn!!
Nicanor is making his second start this Saturday at Gulfstream in the 8th race!
[...] second to Take the Points last out and we saw what that one did shipping west on short notice and running second to the Pamplemousse in the Sham. Todd Pletcher would appear to have another dangerous horse here. . His speed figures are [...]
proud spell!! yea my favorite filly.. man this is getting really exciting..lots of racing to come folks.take the points made a valiant effort last week after traveling so far and running on unfamiliar territory.i hope nicanor does well tomorrow..i have a feeling that he will.i was nervous at his first outing but he showed heart after being hurt at the start so i that encourages me. how about the gotham?? too bad i have to work miss the race..may they all come back to their barns safe and sound!!
Not to mention a wicked Big Cap field! Lots of great racing tomorrow. Saturdays are what I live for!
omg i know! you and i had a conversation about larry jones awhile back i had a dif. handle the.we both live in pa.
tomorrow is big! will ventura beat the boys?.this is so cool this year..so many to pick from.last year the derby horses had the least amount of money earnings that i could remember..this is not last year..this is a solid wide open bunch..and that is what makes this so much fun..my dvr will be running for hours so i can watch every race when i get home from work.thank god i have next week off.i do not want to miss my two favs from the jones barn run
What was your handle? I always wonder what happens to folks who disappear for a while.
You nailed it about this year so far. I’m hoping nobody emerges as the clear cut favorite. Lets keep it a guessing game to the very end.
wolfgirl but i changed it to belles to remember her of course
OHhhhhhhhh…that was you! Wondered where you went. Wolves are actually a very integral feature in my life, so I always loved that name. Can’t argue with an Eight Belles tribute though.
[...] keeping in mind though that The Pamplemousse set early splits of :23 flat and :46 and change in his romp in the Sham on the last day in [...]