Mousse, Nile match-up highlights Santa Anita Derby

Mousse, Nile match-up highlights Santa Anita

Derby

Southern California stars THE PAMPLEMOUSSE (Kafwain) and PIONEEROF THE NILE

(Empire Maker) will meet for the first time in Saturday's $750,000

Santa Anita Derby (G1), and the 1 1/8-mile event will serve as a

springboard to their next expected rendezvous in the Kentucky Derby (G1) four

weeks later. The Santa Anita Derby has produced 15 winners at Churchill Downs,

with Giacomo being the most recent in 2005, and both colts rate as top

contenders for this year's Run for the Roses.

The Pamplemousse has been installed as a slight 9-5 favorite on the morning

line by virtue of his impressive victories in the Sham S. (G3) and San Rafael S.

(G2). Trained by Julio Canani, The Pamplemousse rolled to a six-length score in

the 1 1/8-mile Sham on February 28, and the front-running specialist will retain

the services of Alex Solis on Saturday while breaking from the far outside post

in the field of 10.

"I've never ridden anything like him," Solis said following the gray colt's

last victory. "He's unbelievable."

Pioneerof the Nile, who has strung together wins in the CashCall Futurity

(G1), Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) and San Felipe S. (G2) since being switched to Bob

Baffert last fall, is more favorably drawn in post 4 and will have regular rider

Garrett Gomez up. The Zayat Stables homebred will have the benefit of a rabbit,

Zayat-owned maiden winner Z DAY (Five Star Day), who will make his first start

for Mike Mitchell on Saturday. Last seen finishing second in a February 14

allowance at Gulfstream Park, the speedy Z Day figures to keep The Pamplemousse

busy on the front end.

Pioneerof the Nile closed strongly to get up in the final stages of the Cash

Call Futurity and the Robert Lewis, and he's the 2-1 second choice in the Santa

Anita Derby.

CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) is undefeated in two starts this season,

winning the El Camino Real Derby (G3) and California Derby at Golden Gate

Fields, and the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained colt will face a major class test on

Saturday. The late-running colt wrapped up his juvenile campaign with a solid

third in the CashCall Futurity, and he'll pick up the services of Joel Rosario.

TAKE THE POINTS (Even the Score) and MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow), the respective

second- and third-place finishers in the Sham, and San Felipe runner-up FEISTY

SUANCES (Suances [GB]) will all return in the Santa Anita Derby. GALLANT SON

(Malabar Gold), winner of the grassy Pasadena S. last time out, will switch back

to the Pro-Ride, and maiden winners CAPE TRUTH (Cape Town) and UNBRIDLED ROMAN

(Roman Dancer) round out the field.