Pioneerof the Nile got his 75th winner of 2016 on New Year’s Eve at Gulfstream Park when Pagliacci split horses in deep stretch to win his maiden special weight debut by a neck in a four-horse photo.
Pioneerof the Nile wrapped up 2016 as the leading Fourth-Crop North American sire with $6.6 million in progeny earnings, more than $1.1 million than any other fourth-crop sire. His five graded stakes winners include Breeders’ Cup Juvenile S. (G1) champ Classic Empire, the favorite for 2-year-old male honors of 2016, and the Grade 1 winner Midnight Storm.
Pagliacci got up just before the wire with a well-timed move by Jose Lezcano, finishing the 7 1/2-furlongs on the firm turf in 1:30.53.
The winner, a Harvey Clarke homebred, picked up $21,600 for the win.
