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THOROUGHBRED BEAT JULY 16, 2009 by James Scully Missing Pioneer -- PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker) was preparing for Saturday's Swaps S. (G2), recording four recent workouts over the Pro-Ride, including a seven-furlong drill on June 29, but he sustained a soft tissue injury to his left front leg and is now retired. What a shame! Trained by Bob Baffert, Pioneerof the Nile never reached his full potential. He reeled off four consecutive graded wins over the winter, posting major scores in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and CashCall Futurity (G1), but did so in roguish fashion. The dark bay was still immature: he was either pulling his way to the front or running in-and-out of spots, and he never put it all together while compiling an impressive resume in California. His best races were still in front of him, but we won't get the chance to enjoy it. This year set up so well for Pioneerof the Nile, with the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on the Pro-Ride. The synthetic specialist handled an off track in the Kentucky Derby (G1), recording a runner-up finish, but he struggled over the fast dirt in the Preakness (G1), fading to 11th. Baffert freshened him following that disaster, and the talented colt was poised to bounce back in grand style this summer/fall. Pioneerof the Nile figured to make short work of his three-year-old rivals in the Swaps, and I expected to see him to run well in the Pacific Classic (G1) and Goodwood S. (G1). He was the top American-based male contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic. It's unfortunate that he couldn't stay healthy over the synthetic tracks in Southern California. Too many gone -- The Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) made its synthetic debut last fall, and none of the top five finishers are in serious training. Two-year-old champ Midshipman (Unbridled's Song) hasn't started since winning the Juvenile by 1 1/4 lengths, and his connections hope he can return to the worktab soon. Juvenile runner-up Square Eddie (Smart Strike) was injured following a runner-up effort in the January 17 San Rafael S. (G3). He made it back in time for the April 18 Lexington S. (G2) over Polytrack, but suffered a shin injury prior to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and hasn't worked since. Juvenile third-placer and Norfolk S. (G1) hero Street Hero was retired following the Breeders' Cup, and fourth-placer Terrain suffered a fatal injury in the June 26 Iowa Derby. Pioneerof the Nile finished fifth in the Juvenile. We've seen depressingly similar results from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Stardom Bound (Tapit), Dream Empress (Bernstein) and Sky Diva (Sky Mesa), the respective top three finishers, are all sidelined. It's one injury after another. We lost Sham S. (G3) and San Rafael winner The Pamplemousse (Kafwain) for an undetermined period of time in early April. I don't know what's happened to San Rafael third-placer Ryehill Dreamer (Ire) (Catcher in the Rye) and San Felipe S. (G2) third-placer Jeranimo (Congaree), but they're not working. In 2008, a pair of leading Kentucky Derby prospects on the West Coast, Crown of Thorns (Repent) and Into Mischief, were both hurt by the end of February. California poured millions of dollars into synthetics, but I don't see the benefits. Love it or hate it -- Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) winner RAIL TRIP (Jump Start) will make his next start in the September 6 Pacific Classic (G1) if he likes the Polytrack at Del Mar. Otherwise, he waits for the Goodwood S. (G1) in October. "I'll take him down there and (if) he doesn't like the track, I'll wait for the Goodwood," trainer Ron Ellis told Daily Racing Form. "They either love it or they hate it." I didn't like Rail Trip at the Gold Cup distance, but 10 furlongs proved to be no obstacle on Saturday as the four-year-old gelding recorded a three-length score. He tracked in second as 23-1 outsider TRES BORRACHOS (Ecton Park) tried to steal it on the front end, and it was never more than a two-horse race as the front runners swapped positions in the stretch. Rail Trip registered a career-best 101 BRIS Speed rating. The Jay Em Ess Stable colorbearer opened his racing career with five straight victories, capping the streak with a nose win in the April 4 Santana Mile H. He suffered his first setback when second in his graded debut, the June 9 Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2), and filled the same spot in the June 13 Californian S. (G2). Rail Trip moved forward off those efforts in the Gold Cup, surging home much the best under Jose Valdivia Jr., and, barring the presence of Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]), probably won't face the toughest competition prior to the Breeders' Cup. With eight weeks to regroup from the Gold Cup, the Pacific Classic is a perfect fit, and Rail Trip would add plenty to the line-up. But we'll wait to see how he handles a different synthetic surface at Del Mar.
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