Injury sends Pioneerof the Nile into retirement

Columnist

July 9, 2009 2:03 PM PT

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Pioneerof the Nile, the second-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, has been retired because of a soft-tissue injury to his left front leg, according to BloodHorse.com.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Pioneerof the Nile won four consecutive graded stakes, including the Santa Anita Derby.

Injuries have hindered this year’s 3-year-old crop of horses. I Want Revenge, the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby, was scratched because of a foot injury. A cracked hoof knocked out another Derby hopeful, Quality Road.

Pioneerof the Nile, owned by Zayat Stables, is a son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker and will be sent to stud duty.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Sports Now

Eric Sondheimer

Eric Sondheimer is the prep sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times. He has been honored seven times by the California Prep Sportswriters Assn. for best prep sports column.