ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) -The Pamplemousse overcame a challenge by Square Eddie and pulled away for a two-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 San Rafael Stakes, nosing the 3-year-old into the early Kentucky Derby picture.
Ridden by Alex Solis, The Pamplemousse covered one mile in 1:35.31 and paid $7.20, $3 and $2.20.
``I'm speechless, I really am,'' Solis said. ``This horse has such a high cruising speed. It feels like he's walking, he does everything so effortlessly. He was so impressive, when the other horses came to him, he didn't see them. He heard them, and he just took off.''
Square Eddie, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last fall at Santa Anita, returned $2.20 and $2.10, while Ryehill Dreamer was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $2.60. Three late scratches reduced the field to five.
The Pamplemousse had just a maiden victory to his credit. Now the gray son of Kafwain is a Derby contender.
``I better start going to church and hope he stays sound,'' Solis said.
The jockey's son, Alex II, co-owns the colt, having picked him out at the Ocala Breeders' Sale in March 2006 for $150,000.
``This makes it even more special,'' the elder Solis said. ``My son liked the way he moved.''
The victory, worth $60,000, increased The Pamplemousse's career earnings to $89,280, with two wins in four starts for trainer Julio Canani.
``He's developing mentally and physically. He's awkward because he's growing and growing,'' Canani said. ``He's huge, but he's got a great mind, and I've got no problems with him.''
Canani said The Pamplemousse may run once before possibly starting in the Santa Anita Derby on April 4, the West Coast's major prep for the Kentucky Derby.
Doug O'Neill, who trains Square Eddie, believes his colt got tired.
``He should definitely move forward off this. It was his first race in almost three months,'' O'Neill said. ``Obviously, we wanted to win, but the main thing is for him to come out of this good and go in the right direction.''
Meanwhile, 18-1 shot Nownownow won the $150,000 San Fernando Stakes for 4-year-olds by 2 3/4 lengths under Joe Talamo.
Nownownow rallied from ninth in the field of 11 and covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:41.45. He had been winless in six previous starts since taking the 2007 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park for trainer Patrick Biancone.
Nownownow paid $38.40, $14 and $6.60. Dakota Phone returned $14 and $6.80, while Wishful Tomcat was another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $8.40. Slew's Tiznow, the 19-10 favorite, was fourth.
The victory was worth $90,000, and increased Nownownow's career earnings to $781,824, with two wins in 13 starts.
In the $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes, Alpha Kitten defeated Evita Argentina by 1 1/2 lengths while running seven furlongs in 1:21.84 under Tyler Baze.
Alpha Kitten paid $5, $2.80 and $2.40 as the 3-2 wagering favorite. Evita Argentina returned $2.80 and $2.60, while Nan paid $4.60 to show.
Owned by former A&M Records co-founder Jerry Moss and his wife Ann, Alpha Kitten earned $90,000, increasing her career bankroll to $162,870, with two wins in four starts.
