Gomez Picks Pioneerof The Nile

I’ve been waiting all weekend long and the decision is finally in. Garrett Gomez, 2008 Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey, will ride Pioneerof The Nile in the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Agent Ron Anderson was quoted as saying it was the hardest decision he has had to make in 36 years as an agent. Gomez also had the mounts on Dunkirk, runner up in the Grade I Florida Derby, and Advice, winner of the Grade II Lexington Stakes. Edgar Prado will ride Dunkirk.

Anderson cited the fact that Gomez is a perfect 4 for 4 with two Grade I wins on Pioneerof The Nile as the reason for taking the mount. Gomez had the following to say about Pioneerof The Nile:

“There is more there; I found that [out] a couple of races back and that s one of the things that really impressed me about him,” Gomez said. “Hopefully, in the Derby, we ll be able to have some kind of nice trip where he’s able to have some kind of target out there, and I’m sure we will.” (Daily Racing Form)

I hope for Gomez’s sake this isn’t a decision he will come to regret. I disagree with him, and I would’ve taken Dunkirk. He has much more upside. I love how he hooked Quality Road and ran a game second against the heavy speed bias in the Florida Derby. The move he made around the turn had me thinking he would go by Quality Road.

On the flip side, Pioneerof The Nile has plenty of upside too. He ran a hell of a race in the Santa Anita Derby, and could be peaking at the right time. His trainer, Bob Baffert, has already saddled three Kentucky Derby winners. The logic is there, but like Anderson said, this was a VERY hard decision to make. Good luck Garrett!