The Pamplemousse was allowed to run loose on the lead in the Sham Stakes (gr. III), and the rest of the field paid the price when he romped to a six-length victory over Take the Points Feb. 28 at Santa Anita.

Julio Canani trains the 3-year-old Kafwain colt for Jeffrey and Bill Strauss, Tom Lenner, Tom Murray, Jess Ravich, Chuck Winner, David Beinstock, and Alex Solis II. SolisÕ father, Alex Solis, has ridden the multiple graded stakes winner in four of his five starts.

Alex Solis Bloodstock bought The Pamplemousse for $150,000 at the 2008 Ocala BreedersÕ Sales Co.Õs March 2-year-olds in training sale from Stephens Thoroughbreds, agent for Vision Sales. He is named for the StraussesÕ Pamplemousse Grille near Del Mar.

The Pamplemousse, which also means grapefruit in French, was bred in Kentucky by Fred and Nancy MitchellÕs Clarkland Farm. They sold him to Vision Sales at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale for $80,000.

ÒI guess everybody knows what his name means now,Ó said Nancy Mitchell. ÒBefore he ever won, I was in the grocery and I was looking for some grapefruit. I saw this bag, and it had grapefruit and underneath it had Ôpamplemousse.Õ And I thought Ôwhat in the world does that mean?Õ I said this is an omen; I have to buy this bag.Ó

The Pamplemousse is out of the winning Rubiano mare Comfort Zone, whom the Mitchells bought for $47,000 at the 2003 Keeneland November mixed sale from LaneÕs End, agent.

ÒWe were standing out back, and my husband saw her and liked her,Ó said Mitchell.

Besides for his quirky name, The Pamplemousse is also noted for his large size.

ÒHe was awfully big (as a foal),Ó said Mitchell. ÒBut he was a pretty colt and kind. I guess if you stay in this business long enough, you will get some good luck.Ó

Comfort Zone did not have a foal this year and is in foal to HarlanÕs Holiday for 2010.

Kafwain is the sire of seven stakes winners. The 9-year-old son of Cherokee Run stands at Hurstland Farm near Midway, Ky., for $6,500.ÑA.H.D.