There is a PAMPLEMOUSSE, and he's the REAL DEAL!

Quality Road (Elusive Quality), John Velazquez up, wins the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park 2.28.2009 Photo: EquiSport Photos/Z.Laskowski

Quality Road impresses in the Fountain of Youth.
Anyone who saw the Sham Stakes this past weekend had to be impressed with the Pamplemousse. The big question, how will he handle dirt in his face?
Imperial Council, Haynesfield, I Want Revenge, and Mr. Fantasy top the Gotham entries at Aqueduct this week.
Stardom Bound, back Saturday in the Santa Anita Oaks.
Midshipman out!

1 OLD FASHIONED Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 3/14 OP Rebel S.
2 PIONEEROF THE NILE Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 3/14 SA San Felipe S. (G2)
3 THE PAMPLEMOUSSE Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
4 QUALITY ROAD Elusive Quality James Jerkins Edward Evans John Velazquez 4/4 AQ Wood or 3/28 Fl Derby
5 FRIESAN FIRE AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
6 STARDOM BOUND Tapit Rick Dutrow IEAH Mike Smith 3/7 SA Santa Anita Oaks
7 PATENA Seeking the Gold Rick Dutrow IEAH, Sikura Robby Albarado 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
8 CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN Candy Ride Ian Wilkes Jos. Rauch, David Zell Julien Leparoux
9 THEREGOESJOJO Brahms Kenny McPeek Samotowka, Delfiner, Drall, Magdalena Kent Desormeaux
10 IMPERIAL COUNCIL Empire Maker Shug McGaughey Sequoia Racing Edgar Prado 3/7 AQ Gotham S. (G3)
11 BEETHOVEN Sky Mesa John Ward John Oxley Calvin Borel
12 GENERAL QUARTERS Sky Mesa Mark Miller Thomas McCarthy James Lopez 3/14 TB Tampa bay Derby
13 PAPA CLEM Smart Strike Bo Hirsh Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
14 FLYING PEGASUS Fusaichi Pegasus Ralph Nicks James Spence Cornelio Velasquez La. Derby or Rebel
15 GIANT OAK Giant's Causeway Chris Block Virginia Tarra Trust E. Razo La. Derby or Rebel
16 CHOCOLATE CANDY Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 3/14 SA San Felipe S. (G2)
17 BIG DRAMA Montbrook David Fawkes Harold Queen Eibar Coa scr from Holy Bull
18 DUNKIRK Unbridled's Song Todd Pletcher Magnier, Tabor, Smith Garrett Gomez
19 HAYNESFIELD Speightstown Steve Asmussen Harvey Weinstein Ramon Dominguez 3/7 AQ Gotham S. (G3)
20 DESERT PARTY Street Cry Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Frankie Dettori 3/28 NAS UAE Derby
21 THIS ONE'S FOR PHIL Untuttable Rick Dutrow Paul Pompa Edgar Prado
22 HELLO BROADWAY Broken Vow Barclay Tagg Elizabeth Valando Edgar Prado 3/14 TB Tampa bay Derby
23 VINEYARD HAVEN Lido Palace Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Edgar Prado 3/28 NAS UAE Derby
24 WEST SIDE BERNIE Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Elvis Trujillo 3/21 Lne's End or 3/28 Fl Dby
25 I WANT REVENGE Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo 3/7 AQ Gotham S. (G3)
26 MR. FANTASY Kiaran McLaughlin Westpoint Thoroughbreds 3/7 AQ Gotham S. (G3)
27 SQUARE EDDIE Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Rafael Bejarano injured

Ky. Derby Trail 1.04.2009 "The Word"

Old Fashioned (Unbridled's Song), Ramon Dominguez up, wins the Remson S. (G2) at Aqueduct 11.29.2008db ( Horse Racing Photos by EquiSport Photos/Dianne Boothe )

Here's the rundown as I see it, in order. Purely speculative and unscientific. Neither 'Pioneerof the Nile' nor 'Haynesfield' really impressed this time out, so their position is relatively unchanged.
The Lecomte is this weekend, and could bring some new contenders into the mix. Square Eddie runs back in the San Rafael S. Jan 17 at Santa Anita.
I'm starting to get a few pictures on the website... http://www.equisportphotos.com/gallery/6981546_RBDHb

Kentucky Derby Trail 1.04.2009
1 Old Fashioned
2 Square Eddie
3 Beethoven
4 Midshipman
5 Vineyard Haven
6 Donativum (GB)
7 Big Drama
8 PioneeroftheNile
9 Giant Oak
10 Haynesfield
11 Coronet of a Baron
12 Notonthesamepage
13 I Want Revenge
14 Capt. Candyman Can
15 West Side Bernie
16 Break Water Edison
17 Chocolate Candy
18 Well Positioned
19 Charitable Man
20 Munnings
21 Cribnote

Kentucky Oaks Trail 1.04.2009
1 Stardom Bound
2 Maram
3 Laragh
4 Four Gifts
5 Rachel Alexandra
6 C.S. Silk
7 Dream Empress