The Pamplemousse to start from outside

ARCADIA, Calif. - The Pamplemousse, the morning-line favorite in the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, drew the outside post on Wednesday when a field of 10 was entered in the 1 1/8-mile race. Pioneerof the Nile, his primary rival, landed post 4.

Jeff Tufts, Santa Anita's morning-line maker, made The Pamplemousse the 9-5 choice, with Pioneerof the Nile slightly higher at 2-1.

The field is expected to be reduced by one. Take the Points was entered, as expected, but unless one of the top two defect from the race, Take the Points will scratch and head to Keeneland for the Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes on April 11.

Among the surprising entrants in the Santa Anita Derby was Z Day, a sprinter owned by Ahmed Zayat ostensibly entered as a rabbit for Zayat's Pioneerof the Nile. Bob Baffert trains Pioneerof the Nile. Mike Mitchell trains Z Day, who recently arrived from Florida after being trained there by Richard Dutrow Jr.

From the rail out, the field is Chocolate Candy, Z Day, Unbridled Roman, Pioneerof the Nile, Mr. Hot Stuff, Feisty Suances, Take the Points, Cape Truth, Gallant Son, and The Pamplemousse.