The Pamplemousse vaults to the head of the class
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If horse racing betting fans thought Rick Dutrow was colorful last year during Big Brown’s quest for the Triple Crown, wait ‘til they get a load of Julio Canani, trainer of this year’s “wow” horse, The Pamplemousse. After The Pamplemousse’s front-running romp in the Saturday’s Sham Stakes at Santa Anita, Canani was asked if there was any concern about his horse’s ability to rate. His reply: ”Who cares?” And you know what? He’s right.
This year’s “Wow” horse: The Pamplemousse
- WHO: The Pamplemousse, Quality Road
- WHAT: The Sham, The Fountain of Youth
- WHERE: Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park
- WHEN: Saturday, February 28
This huge gray has a very high cruising speed, and he just gallops his competition into the ground. Jockey Alex Solis has already declared this is the best horse he’s ever ridden, and he’s been aboard his fair share of Grade 1 winners, including 1986 3YO champ Snow Chief, BC Classic winner Pleasantly Perfect, and 2000 champion sprinter Kona Gold. Now we’ll have to see if racebook bettors agree with him.
The Pamplemousse covered the 1 1/8th-mile distance in a sizzling 1:47 4/5, winning by six in a hand ride. He tops the West Coast contingent, while Old Fashioned looks like the best in the Midwest, and Dunkirk leads the pack in the East.
Quality Road threw his hat into the ring with an emphatic 4 ¼-length score in The Fountain of Youth Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park. He stalked the pacesetting This Ones for Phil before taking over at the top of the stretch. His final time of 1:35 was plenty quick, and he did it with something left in the tank. This Jimmy Jerkens trainee should provide an interesting test for Dunkirk in the Florida Derby.
In other 3YO action on Saturday, Proceed Bee won The John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park, and Scorewithcater scored in The Borderland Derby at Sunland Park. However, neither race was of the graded variety, so both horses will have to pick up graded earnings somewhere else along the line. At this point, both appear to be fringe players at best.
Those are all the 3YO horse racing results worth mentioning at this time. Best of luck in the upcoming week…pick lots of winners, and be sure to bet them at the BetOnline.com Racebook.
For more analysis on The Pamplemousse and other horse racing odds, check out Pete Mitchell’s twice-weekly columns in the Betting Edge.
Pete Mitchell has been handicapping horses since his teenage years. He has been a professional horse player for many years, and came to BetOnline.com’s attention through multiple referrals from industry insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete is revered for his horse handicapping opinion and industry experts acknowledge his impressive career winning record. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
