Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nicanor and Lentenor Racing This Friday and Saturday

Once again, Barbaro’s brothers are racing on back-to back days, but this time their roles are reversed. 

Last month, Lentenor, in his first race back after a five month break, went first in an allowance/optional claiming race where he finished third.  The next day, Nicanor went in the Eight Thirty Stakes where he finished in sixth place.  This time around, we have Nicanor going first in an allowance/optional claiming race on Friday, then Lentenor going on Saturday in the $250,000 Grade III Kent Stakes.

Nicanor’s race is at Belmont Park on Friday, Race #8, post time about 4:43.  It is a $75,000 allowance/optional claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course.  Nicanor is not entered for a tag.  Nicanor will have Ramon Dominguez on board for the first time.  Ramon is on fire at Belmont’s current fall meet.  As of yesterday, he is leading in earnings and has hit the board in 67% of his races.  The race drew a field of seven, with Nicanor breaking from the sixth hole.  Let’s hope Nicanor breaks well and goes right to the lead and never looks back!  This race, IMO, is Nicanor’s most important to date.  I am hoping that he will love the Belmont turf and, with Ramon’s experience, have the best race of his still young career.
The morning line has Nicanor listed as the third choice at odds of 4-1.  The favorite is Baletti at odds of 5-2.  Baletti is a six year old colt trained by Angel Penna, Jr.  Baletti does have a win on the inner turf course at Belmont, but that was back in May of 2009.  Three races back, he won the Grade III Fort Marcy Stakes.  However, since that victory, he was sixth (Grade III Monmouth Stakes, June 12) and fifth (Grade II Bernard Baruch Handicap, August 27).   The second choice is Pleasant Strike, listed at 3-1 odds.   This six year old Todd Pletcher trained colt is coming off a victory at Saratoga on August 25, also an allowance/optional claiming turf race.  In that race, he beat out three that are in this field (Skipadate, No Inflation, and Lime Rickey).  It truly is anyone’s race to win.  I think all seven are capable of getting into the winner’s circle, just hope it ends up being Nicanor.

Friday, September 24th, Belmont Park, Race #8, Allowance/optional claiming race, Purse $52,000, 1 1/16 miles (inner turf), Post time 4:43

1. Skipadate/J. Castellano   5/1
2. Lemon Cream Pie/E. Coa   9/2
3. No Inflation/G. Gomez   8/1
4. Pleasant Strike/J. Velazquez   3/1
5. Baletti/J. Laparoux   5/2
6. Nicanor with Ramon Dominguez   4/1
7. Lime Rickey/R. Maragh   12/1


Nicanor prior to his race on August 25, 2010.


Next we have Lentenor’s race on Saturday at Delaware Park, the 56th running of the $250,000 Grade III Kent Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on the turf for three year old colts.  The race drew a small but very tough field of nine.  The class of the field would have to be the Todd Pletcher trained colt, Interactif.  Interactif is coming into the race following his win by a nose over the late charging colt, Grand Rapport, in the Grade II National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes on the Saratoga turf on August 13.  Prior to that victory, Interactif finished a solid second to Paddy O’Prado in the Grade II Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs on July 17.  Next we have Workin for Hops who comes into the race off a third place finish behind Paddy O’Prado in the Grade I Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park on August 21.   The Michael Stidham colt is all about consistency, hitting the board in eight of his nine starts, including five wins.  A couple of those wins include the Grade II American Derby and the Arlington Classic Stakes, both run on the turf at Arlington Park.  I will say this, watch out for Grand Rapport; he is coming into his own and should be closing fast down the stretch.  After breaking his maiden in his first race, he finished seventh in the Grade II Futurity Stakes, then last in the Grade II Remson Stakes.  All three races were run on the dirt.  Following almost eight months off the track, the Gary Contessa colt seems to be in top form.  He had his first race on the turf on July 16 at Monmouth Park, where he won at 40-1 odds, rallying from last and seven wide to win the allowance race.  As I previously mentioned, he just barely missed in his last race, coming up a nose short to Interactif on August 13.

Lentenor has his work cut out for him in this race, that is a given.  I like the fact that he is the only colt who has raced on the Delaware turf, and he has had three good works since his last race.  Mr. Matz had named Jose Valdivia Jr. to ride Lentenor again, but he was injured last weekend, to what extent I have no idea.  Wishing Jose the best in his recovery and hope to see him back on either Lentenor or Nicanor soon.  Gabriel Saez has been named as the replacement for Jose.  Let’s hope Lentenor gets a clean trip and has some racing luck on his side, for a change.  A safe race for all, and it would be great if Lentenor gets his wish and enters the winner’s circle!

Should be an exciting couple of days once again for all the fans of Nicanor and Lentenor.  First and foremost, let’s hope they all come home safe.

Saturday, September 25th, Delaware Park, Race #8, $250,000 Grade III Kent Stakes, 1 1/8 miles (turf), post time 4:24

1. Grand Rapport/R. Dominguez   4/1
2. Interactif/F. Jara   2/1
3. Majestictroubadour/A. Delgado   20/1
4. Lentenor with Gabriel Saez   12/1
5. Stormy Lord/J. McAleney   6/1
6. They Call Me Giant/J. Rose   8/1
7. Kara’s Orientation/E. Ramsammy   15/1
8. Thunder Brew/Rosie Napravnik   15/1
9. Workin for Hops/B. Hernandez, Jr.   3/1


Lentenor prior to his race on August 24.
323 Comments:

Good Luck to Nicanor, Lentenor, Mr. Matz,Ramon Dominguez, Gabriel Saez, and the Jacksons!  I will be watching and I hope that both horses come in first!
Central Valley Dame 23 Sep 2010 1:03 PM
both of them are up against it in their races i think and i feel that lentenor has the better chance of winning his race.
anna 23 Sep 2010 1:37 PM
Godspeed Jackson boys!!! The FOB's will be cheering you both on in your latest endeavors.
Bonnie3 23 Sep 2010 1:39 PM
WOW!  Lenny moving up to a BIG STAKES RACE, taking on THE BIG BOYZZZ...this will be fun.  We finally get to bet on him as an underdog!
DC Native 611 23 Sep 2010 1:45 PM
Good luck and safe races fir the brothers. Very tough fields
MJ 23 Sep 2010 1:47 PM
I hope that both find Barbaro's spirit within them and come home 1st, 2nd or 3rd.  They are so beautiful.  May the racing Gods smile upon them and bless them with the desire to win and come home sound.  All of us who love Barbaro are rooting for Lentenor and Nicanor.
Nancy 23 Sep 2010 1:58 PM
Maybe its better they have their races a little closer together in time and drop them down to a lower grade race.
Giving Lennie and Nick them weeks and months off does not seem to do it for these guys. Perhaps a little tough love and making   them work harder might.
Clearly these 2 colts are not as talented as their brother Barbaro and we should stop expecting them to be reincarnations of him.
They are 3 and 4 years old now, and they might get better with age and experience.  Many horses do-look at Cigar.
Good luck Lennie and Nick!
Beth 23 Sep 2010 2:20 PM
GREG
Thanks for the latest update. Wishing both of them the best.
Mike Relva 23 Sep 2010 2:43 PM
Nicanor is stunning in that picture a beauty beyound all...and sweet Lentenor you are also stunning...time for wishing good luck,have fun, be safe... may both jockey's  be gentle and good to the boys and help them win....  
Ragsy 23 Sep 2010 2:55 PM
Thanks for the update Greg!
Nicanor and Lentenor, run fast and be safe!
Mike Relva, good to see you, how are your horses? :-)
horsenut23 23 Sep 2010 3:00 PM
I hope they do well,but love them no matter what it's just a pleasure to see them race!!!
Tracy 23 Sep 2010 3:37 PM
good luck babies and stay safe...
THE FARMERS 23 Sep 2010 3:37 PM
Nicanor is stunning in that picture. Here's to a safe and winning race for both our boys.
Penny in TX 23 Sep 2010 3:45 PM
I wish all entrants a safe and fair race, and, as much as I'd like to see success for Barbaro's little brothers, I'm afraid my heart is with the Gulch descendants in each race, Baletti and Thunder Brew.  Let's go boys!  more turf cred for Gulch and his sons at stud (after Court Vision in the Woodbine Mile)
Gulchfan 23 Sep 2010 4:11 PM
Love our boys and wish them a safe, fun race but come home healthy.
Barbaro is watching his brothers from the Rainbow Bridge and will send them with the wind. Sisternor will be cheering from the sidelines.
Love you boys!!!
Lou in TX 23 Sep 2010 4:58 PM
Woo-hoo! Great reporting as usual, Greg!  I'm so excited for the boys - they sure have their work cut out for them, but they're both in capable hands and they'll do their best, I'm sure.  I'm proud of them both no matter how they finish, but if one or both of them come up winners, well, that'll be icing on the cake.  Above all else, safe trips for all who set hoof and foot on the track tomorrow!  Have fun tomorrow at Belmont Greg.  Hope to see you at Delaware on Saturday!  
JudyPA 23 Sep 2010 5:09 PM
HORSENUT23
Fine. Where have you been? Haven't talked to you in ages.
Mike Relva 23 Sep 2010 5:11 PM
Thanks for the update, Greg, and the photos - wow.  Those are gorgeous colts!  I'll be trying to watch their races and cheer them on, so I'm also wishing safe trips for all.
txhorsefan 23 Sep 2010 5:36 PM
Thanks Greg for the latest on "our" boys! Really looking forwarded to seeing both of them again. I'm a little concerned for Lentenor. I'm not a fan of Gabriel Saez, never have been. However, as I said before, I'm glad Ramon is on Nicanor but wish it could have been Rosie.
Good luck fellows! Win, have fun and be safe.  
Dona 23 Sep 2010 6:28 PM
Sure appreciate you taking the time to provide us with the latest on the Barbaro brothers. Good luck Nicanor and Lentenor, kick some butt!
Barb 23 Sep 2010 7:25 PM
Thanks for the update! These two races will be very interesting for them, and I sure hope they both come out on top.
LyndaP31 23 Sep 2010 7:27 PM
2 in a row again! Wow!
I hope they both clean up the competition :P
But above all, I hope they come home safe and sound.
Arem 23 Sep 2010 7:27 PM
Thanks for the update, Greg!  I'll be cheering for both boys.
Cleone 23 Sep 2010 7:47 PM
I had to laugh when reading about the Kent Stakes and saw how they could barely mention Lentenor being in the race...wishing for a suprise lent.....
Ragsy 23 Sep 2010 7:51 PM
Good luck you handsome boys! Run like the wind:)
Cassidy 23 Sep 2010 8:03 PM
Good luck boys!
MRO 23 Sep 2010 8:08 PM
They both look great.  Good luck boys!!  There is lots of support behind you!
WWSTP 23 Sep 2010 8:32 PM
Thank you so much for the update, Greg.  Reading about the brothers makes me so happy.  Best of luck and safe rides this weekend.
ivy77 23 Sep 2010 8:54 PM
Yea! Go Nicanor and Lentenor. Let's show all the other horses how to win LOL. Good luck to you both.
Alex 23 Sep 2010 8:56 PM
Great summary Greg!  Good Luck to both the boys in their races, and safe running for all!
LindaVA 23 Sep 2010 9:38 PM
Can't wait for the weekend.  Will be watching along with everyone else.  Wish both Good Luck and Godspeed.  If the racing Gods deem its meant to be, than so be it and both come home first under the wire safe and sound.  If not, may they still finish safe and sound and I shall love them no less.
Robin from Maryland 23 Sep 2010 9:45 PM
Good Luck Nicanor & Lentenor. May you both have a safe trip and best of luck to your jockeys, too. I hope you guys win, I'll be pulling for you with all my heart. Wins for both would be awesome, but just finish safe & sound. I know Big Brother is watching over you both. Love you guys and still missing "Bobby"!
Denise B. 23 Sep 2010 10:52 PM
best of luck to both horses and their connections. will be interesting to see how they do. i heard somewhere that Dynaformer's offspring take a little while to develop as racehorses, so i guess the key is to be patient. hope they both come home safe and sound.
christy tate 23 Sep 2010 11:01 PM
Best of luck to Nicanor (please settle down and run fast and safe) and Lentenor ( sounds like a tough field) but I just know you're going to find that winners circle that you seem to want so badly.  Just be safe.
Zowie 24 Sep 2010 12:10 AM
Thanks for the update.  May god be with you both and bring y'all into the winner's circle.  What 2 great weekends of racing, got the brothers this weekend and we have the queen Zenyatta next Saturday.
Dallas from Texas 24 Sep 2010 1:09 AM
4 weeks between races for both - good. Tough fields to test them, maybe egg them on - also good. If they win, place or show with good efforts - really good! No whip whacking, grabbed quarters, cuts, bruises or worse - PRICELESS.
diastu 24 Sep 2010 2:19 AM
Ragsy,
you're right. They even spelled him wrong in the vote ("Lenteno")
But love to see he has so many votes right now <3
Best wishes to both brothers, may they come home as sound and very happy winners.
(sorry, my English is lousy..)
Sarah 24 Sep 2010 6:20 AM
Dear Nicanor and Lentenor,
May the luck of whoever is lucky shine down upon you.
Benjamin Franklin once said or wrote, "Diligence is the Mother of Good-luck as Poor Richard says."
And with your diligence, Nicanor and Lentenor, your careers will skyrocket.
Nicanor will find his knight in shiny silks today and rediscover the winner's circle.
Tomorrow, Lentenor will seek and keep the lead. He will be victorious.
Good Luck you two!!!
Kathy 24 Sep 2010 8:12 AM
Of course, If you want to go further back in history, a guy named William Stepney wrote, Diligence is the mother of good fortune. La diligencia es madre de la buena ventura in a book called The Spanish Schoolmaster published in 1591.
Benjamin Franklin probably read his book.
Good luck Nicanor and Lentenor. I adore the both of you.
Kathy 24 Sep 2010 9:34 AM
Greg, thank you for another sparkling report on my 2 favorite colts!  NJ and LJ, I wish you both great and safe races!  No matter the outcome, you are both champs of many hearts!  
Linda 24 Sep 2010 9:54 AM
Good Luck to both and all their connections. Wish these colts could race incognito and develop as far as their talents take them. Feeling is they have a tough legacy to fulfill as full brothers to Barbaro.
kenek 24 Sep 2010 10:19 AM
Finally our big day(s) have arrived! Go boys!
GoldenBroom 24 Sep 2010 10:31 AM
Sending love and  best wishes for a successful and safe race for each brother today and tomorrow.  Love them both so much.
Marigold 24 Sep 2010 10:36 AM
Ragsy and Sarah, what were you reading and where did you read it??
Cal Gal 24 Sep 2010 10:39 AM
Run like the wind Nicanor and Lentenor.  You are champions of heart for so many.  We love you no matter if you win or lose, but winning is so good for you, lol. And you both look stunning in the Winner's Circle.  Godspeed beautiful colts.
HaleyB 24 Sep 2010 10:41 AM
Cal Gal, it is an article about Iteractif and Grad Rapport meeting again in the Kent S.
www.bloodhorse.com/.../interactif-grand-rapport-meet-again-in-kent
Sarah 24 Sep 2010 12:17 PM
I feel the need to run interference for the Brothers during the race'es...
Oh, Sarah dont appologize for your english its fine....and thank you!
What absolute joy these Brothers have given me...just love seeing them, now, for a suprise from Nicky today!!!please, be on your best behaviour bro....
I want to just reach out and touch him!!!
Ragsy 24 Sep 2010 12:50 PM
Thanks, Sarah.  Interesting article.  I voted for Lentenor. If he makes the board and comes home safely, I'll be very happy.
Cal Gal 24 Sep 2010 1:18 PM
While he is 4x3 to Mr. Prospector, the names in Interactif's pedigree are awesome.  Second dame is daughter of Mr. P himself and Personal Ensign.  I had several futures bets on him during the TC Prep season, and thought I was live after the Santa Anita--then Tpletch pulled him, even though he ripped a bullet in the Churchill slop.  Gorgeous horse, but real small.
brettzky99 24 Sep 2010 3:53 PM
Nicanor ... Wire to Wire ... Got it his own way today!
BriGuy 24 Sep 2010 4:48 PM
NICANOR WON!!!! YEAH!!!
GoldenBroom 24 Sep 2010 4:50 PM
YESSS!!!!!!!!! Goooo Nicanor!! Out like a shot and a nice strong finish- fantastic job. Wire to wire again, let's hope for many more leading start to finish. Hope Lentenor does great against some stiff competition tomorrow, but just love to see the beautiful brothers run!
Dee 24 Sep 2010 4:51 PM
WTG Nicanor, You were awesome, had it your way the whole trip CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
NancyC 24 Sep 2010 4:52 PM
Nicanor won!  Woo hoo!!! :)
Emily 24 Sep 2010 4:57 PM
NICANOR WON!
Time was 1:42 and change.  Don't know anything else yet.
slee 24 Sep 2010 4:57 PM
OMG -- He won!  Anyone with video link to race replay, please post ASAP! :D  
Kitei 24 Sep 2010 4:58 PM
Yay, Nicanor!!  Gate to wire.  Whew!
txhorsefan 24 Sep 2010 5:00 PM
Good job, Nicky!  That was a very fun race to watch.  
Sumiko 24 Sep 2010 5:02 PM
Congrats Nic. Thanks for the nice price as well!
buck 24 Sep 2010 5:09 PM
Congrats to Nicanor and Ramon!
Cheers to all ...
Love 'em all! 24 Sep 2010 5:10 PM
WHOOPEE, Nicanor in the Winner's Circle!!  One down, another to go tomorrow.  Come on Lennie -- win your race and the buzz will begin about Barbaro's little brothers -- TVG was already talking about it.
Congratulations and thank you's to MM, the Jacksons, Eduoardo, and all the connections for our beautiful boy.  We love you Nicanor!
Marigold 24 Sep 2010 5:10 PM
WHEEEEEEE!!! Attaboy, Nic!!! They let him run and he did. A few shakes of the reins to keep him alert, a few taps with the whip to keep him straight and focused, and a good strong finish. Skipadate probably would have had him in a couple more jumps, but that tells us what his preferred distance is. Could he be a surpriser in a BC turf race? Maybe - I'd sure like to see!
diastu 24 Sep 2010 5:10 PM
Nicanor won!!!  And he got to do it his way!!!  Maybe they better keep this jockey. I saw the whip but he didn't seem to slow down this time.  So happy for all the connections and especially for our boy Nicanor.
Lou in TX 24 Sep 2010 5:12 PM
Well, what do you think about Nicanor and his win???was he not wonderful and when the sun hit him he glowed...true splendor seeing that race....
Ragsy 24 Sep 2010 5:14 PM
WOOO HOOO, YES ........ Nicanor wins ! Great ride RAMON ! That was awesome! Nicanor looked fantastic, if a little wet when he went into the gate. he came out of the gate nicely. It looked like to me like no one else wanted the lead so Ramon took him to the front. I think Nic prefers the front. I watched thinking Ok, let's go slow Ramon, when I saw the 1/4 time, I started grinnin thinking that's it Ramon nice and slow. The 1/2 was 49 & change I was laughed. Nic still had the lead at the top of the stretch and I was thinking, OK Ramon, set him down for the drive to the wire. I thought Skipadate might get him, but Nicanor held on for the win. I was screaming GO Nicky, Come on Ramon, by the time they went under the wire. Im sure my neighbors think im nut's or at least are wondering who the hell Nicky and Ramon are. And my husband is out of town. HA HA Again, nice ride by Ramon.
Congrats to ALL connections and fans. Good luck to Lentenor tomorrow. I like Gabe Saez, He's a good young rider
Criminal Type 24 Sep 2010 5:14 PM
I could watch Nicky's race over and over.  Guess Michael let him run on the lead like he wanted to and he seemed to settle great.  Was a bit scared when they got close to the wire and I think Ramon gave him a few love pats, thought he might get stubborn and stop but our boy kept going cause he loves the winners circle whether Paulick believes it or not and he is NO TOKEN.  Great going Nic and pray for another win tomorrow from Lenentor.
lobieb 24 Sep 2010 5:15 PM
YIPEE HOORAY AND YAHOO!  WE GOT A WINNER.  CONGRATS AND KUDOS TO NICANOR AND TEAM BARBARO!  I KNEW HE COULD DO IT!  NOW CROSS YOUR FINGERS YOUR TOES AND YOUR NOSE OR RUB YOUR RABBITS FEET AND ROOT FOR LENTENOR.  IT SOUNDS LIKE HIS RACE COULD BE A REALY TOUGHIE
Zowie 24 Sep 2010 5:17 PM
Great race!  Skipadate was just flying at the end.
JAJ 24 Sep 2010 5:33 PM
Go Nicanor! MUCH better ride this time, too. He wasn't fighting Ramon.
Let's keep our fingers crossed Lentenor can do the same on Saturday!
CV 24 Sep 2010 5:39 PM
the TVG announcers were talking about Nic's race and how wide open it was and that the competition was such that it could have been an overnight stakes race.  What a sweet win for Nicanor...SO proud of him.
Wire to wire, the way he likes it.
Let's keep Ramon!
Cal Gal 24 Sep 2010 5:45 PM
FAITH!!  Right jockey, right distance, right track!!  Way to go Nicky!!  (Great price, too!!)
Golf Girl 24 Sep 2010 5:53 PM
Great job Nicanor. Did you see him after the race, trotting back off the grass, with his head held very high. That was very cool. Don't see that too often. Looks to me that his distance is up to 1 1/6 mile. Next years Breeders Cup
1-mile winner ???
Barry 24 Sep 2010 5:54 PM
I missed the race. I heard  NICKY WON   AWWWEEESSSOOMMMEEE. I knew he could do .
smarty bob 24 Sep 2010 6:00 PM
Doesn't get any better them that!  All Nicanor, he was not going to get passed today.  Ok, one victory in the books, one more tomorrow!  Leaving Belmont now, heading down to Delaware.
Bravo to Nicanor and all of his great connections!
Greg J. 24 Sep 2010 6:03 PM
Great Job Nicanor, yes Skipadate was closing fast. Happy dancing in lower Alabama tonight!!~~!
Debbie1948 24 Sep 2010 6:04 PM
Cal Gal
The announcers on HRTV were talking about AP INDY filly's and when they hesitated the race came on and they had already broke through the gait and Nicanor had taken the lead...at least we got to see the rest of the race...they (announcers ) said, Nicanor would lead the pack and set it up for the winner to close and take the race.  I am so proud of Nicanor showing those fella's were wrong...
Ragsy 24 Sep 2010 6:06 PM
Be safe GregJ
Ragsy 24 Sep 2010 6:09 PM
That final sixteenth was under six seconds 5.95 to be exact. Nic was flying.
TradingPlaces 24 Sep 2010 6:18 PM
YEA Nicanor!!!!! Just awesome. I hope Lentenor has just as good a trip tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
Lisa 24 Sep 2010 6:25 PM
Way to go Nicanor!! Never doubted you for a minute!  Now show your little brother the film and tell him that is how it is done!
Great job, as usual, Greg!
Pat 24 Sep 2010 6:29 PM
has anyone posted the video yet?
Pat 24 Sep 2010 6:37 PM
You can view the replay here: www.bloodhorse.com/.../race-8
Blood-Horse Staff 24 Sep 2010 7:01 PM
JON& TOM F
What do you have to say now? lol
Mike Relva 24 Sep 2010 7:02 PM
Mike,
Yes, waiting for their comments, lol
Greg J. 24 Sep 2010 7:07 PM
Penny and Lou in TX and TXHORSEFAN Nicanor did look handsome and really in shape in that up close photo. And now i am just reading
that he indeed won. That is some kind of great news. But even greater for the team who put it all together for him. Thanks to his team.
Next Lentenor. Cute post Pat. We are all keeping our fingers crossed
for him.
And thanks so much for the report on the both of them Greg.
Linda in Texas 24 Sep 2010 7:17 PM
Congratulations on your win Nicanor, and good luck to Lentanor tomorow.
Sophie15 24 Sep 2010 7:35 PM
YIPPIEEEE! So proud and full of love for Nicky! wish I could hug him!
Greg, have a safe trip down to see Lennie's race, and may Lennie also have a safe trip home.  
sandieh 24 Sep 2010 7:56 PM
Our Sir Greg asked me to post Nicanor's race (WIN) today from Belmont Park. Way-to-go Nicanor!!!
Greg could not send it because he is traveling from Belmont to Delaware Park to watch Lentenor's race Saturday.
www.youtube.com/watch
Dan H 24 Sep 2010 8:30 PM
Congrats Nicanor! Hopefully a little of your luck will rub off on Lentenor tomorrow! I missed Nicanors race today, but hopefully I will be home in time to watch Lentenor race.
Lentenor, don't let those big names get to you, just remember you finished a close 4th in the Florida Derby, so this race could easily be yours as well!
anniedixie65 24 Sep 2010 9:02 PM
THANK You Dan H for posting the video. I had to work today and could not watch.
This jockey allowed Nicanor run his own race. He wants to be on the lead and stay there!! Great Job Nic~!!!
Linda / Maryland 24 Sep 2010 9:13 PM
GREG
Thanks for all the time and effort you make for this blog. Always look forward to your comments.
Mike Relva 24 Sep 2010 9:43 PM
Thanks Greg and Dan H for all the info.
Greg, you drive safely to Delaware. We will be waiting for your report on Lentenor's race tomorrow.
Go Lentenor, you can do it!!! We love you so much.
Lou in TX 24 Sep 2010 9:56 PM
WOW!!!  So glad He won!!!  Looked like a real race horse today coming down the stretch.  Almost like He was playing with them-come on and catch me if you can-sort of deal.  I know Big Brother is smiling all the way from Heaven, He knew, no doubt.  Now for a double-header : come on Lentenor!!!  Come home first, safe and sound.
Robin from Maryland 24 Sep 2010 9:56 PM
Nicanor won! :O)
Jaye 24 Sep 2010 10:08 PM
After today's Victory:
Nicanor 11 starts, 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, earning's $127,990.
Greg J. 24 Sep 2010 10:25 PM
Ragsy, as I posted elsewhere -- at one point I found myself mesmerized by a glowing, burnished  mahogany horse with a beautiful backside and tail.  When I checked the rider's silks, I realized that it was Nicanor -- the very beautiful Nicanor.  He takes my breath away!
Marigold 24 Sep 2010 10:25 PM
Nicanor was able to run his way and win. A very nice ride from Ramon Dominguez. I tell many people about the brothers, and will be so delighted to share this great news.
mrsmaryzinke 24 Sep 2010 10:33 PM
Way to go Nicanor!!!!!
I watched the race on ATTHERACES-Stateside and cheered Nicanor home very enthusiastically.  I kept telling him that he could do it!  I do that.  Cheer for the horses via the TV screen and encourage them!  As if they can hear me????!!!  I am afraid some jockeys get a  right telling off via the TV if they use their whips too much; something that I cannot abide!
Whips are needed for corrective purposes but hands, seat, legs and voice are what should be used to ASK a horse to race it's fastest rather than brute force!
Racing is better than it used to be in that respect but there is still too much whip walloping going on worldwide!  i am certainly not saying it just happens in the USA because it happens everywhere!
So please horsemen and horsewomen everywhere use the whip less!
Have a great day!
C'mon Lentenor - you can win too - you know that you can!
God Bless
Best wishes
Abbie
Abbie Knowles 24 Sep 2010 11:04 PM
Hey, where's the update?  According to equibase.com, Nicanor won his race by a neck this afternoon!  I can't wait to see the video!
In Reality Blenheim II fan 25 Sep 2010 12:32 AM
That photo of Nicanor in the article is stunning.
In Reality Blenheim II fan 25 Sep 2010 12:35 AM
So excited for Nicanor!
MJ 25 Sep 2010 1:18 AM
Mints and apples on the house, I'm buying! Way to go Nicanor, what a great race from you today. This is what he needed, a win that was from the way he likes to run. Now he understabds how to get his picture taken. lol
Be safe out there Greg, can't wait to see the pictures and read your thoughts on the day. Congratulations to the connections and best of luck for Lentenors' upcoming race.  
ona 25 Sep 2010 1:35 AM
Congratulations Nicanor!!!!!
You were wonderful. I knew you could do it.
Kathy 25 Sep 2010 4:03 AM
It sure helps to put a top jock on the horse.  Ramon rode brilliantly, "walking" Nicky through very slow fractions which allowed him to finish strong.  Not sure Lenny will get the same high quality performance today, but I remain hopeful...
DC Native 25 Sep 2010 7:55 AM
Marigold
I just love your descriptive analysis of Nicanor, I was stunned by his beauty yesterday during and after the race..
Today, win today Lentenor...be safe,have fun and win...
I read where Date With Destiny was running today in England..
Ragsy 25 Sep 2010 9:35 AM
Lisa's Booby Trap was 3rd ( 1 1/2 separates first 3) in her comeback to dirt at Finger Lakes...rough start and squeezed back, took a while to get momentum coming down the stretch, probably needs a longer race.
Rachel 25 Sep 2010 9:44 AM
Where can we watch the video of Nicanors Belmont race this Friday.  Could not find it in Bloodhorse.
J Valentine 25 Sep 2010 10:32 AM
One delightful byproduct of Nic's race yesterday was how (before the race!) the TVG announcers put all three brothers in the same club -- "three very high quality runners" (the combination of Dynaformer and LVR has produced...).  Made this heart feel very good.  So THERE!
Cal Gal 25 Sep 2010 10:46 AM
Big deal Nic wins a optional /claiming race, what about stakes competition?Lenny is in over his head , he won't win.
2 time valley player of the year 25 Sep 2010 11:02 AM
Needed quick info on Lentenor's race today-googled and here you are with GREAT article- Thanks-keep them coming-enjoyed getting the info I needed
jane 25 Sep 2010 12:10 PM
Way to go Nic!! WooHoo!
today is Lentenor's turn!!! Run fast and be safe!
horsenut23 25 Sep 2010 12:29 PM
HE WON??!!! HE WON!!!!
Yay Nicky! :)
1 down, 1 to go.:P
Arem 25 Sep 2010 12:31 PM
Mike Relva
I'm good, been busy on another forum, work, tennis, and helping at the therpaeutic barn I volunteer at.
horsenut23 25 Sep 2010 12:31 PM
Ona here!!!!!!!!!
Can't even correctly spell my own name. Have a hard time with caps key, thanks to Sammy the cat destroying the thing.
Cal Gal, you are so right! TVG was very postive in their assement of "our boys", the Barbaro clan.
Can't wait for the Barbaro Brothers Three. Any word on Margano going to the the Stephens Thorobred facilities yet?
Fingers crossed for Lentenor, big task for him to overcome. Sorry, but I would feel better with another jockey.
Dona 25 Sep 2010 12:32 PM
2 time valley player of the year: You are on the wrong blog...this is for horse lovers ♥ not handicappers, big race only afficianados ;-)
The horse lovers here could care less if the horses win or lose in big or small races...all they care about are the horses...
Rachel 25 Sep 2010 12:43 PM
J Valentine go here (i hope): www.bloodhorse.com/.../race-results and put in Friday 24th for the beginning and end date and Belmont track. It's the 8th race.
Rachel 25 Sep 2010 12:46 PM
Oh joy, oh joy - 2tvp is back... so glad to hear from you, tvp. You are so uplifting, as usual.
Nic's win was against very good horses and stakes are coming for him and soon. We'll see about Lentenor... are you always so negative about everything??
Marigold 25 Sep 2010 12:58 PM
2 time valley player take your negative posts elsewhere!
Tracy 25 Sep 2010 1:29 PM
Abbie Knowles, I don't understand what you can't abide with:  Jockeys over using the whip or jockeys being criticized for over use of the whip.
At my home track, Woodbine, Nicanor's rider would have been fined for raising his arm over his shoulder when he whipped Nicanor.  Fines increase for the second offense and the rider gets days for a third offense.  Woodbine also mandates a softer, kinder whip.
I wasn't terribly impressed with the whip use by Ramon Dominguez.  Nicanor had given and was giving everything he had and whipping him as hard as Dominguez did was not going to make Nicanor go any faster.  He was never going to hold off Skipadate who was flying at the end.  Fortunately for Nicanor, the finish line came when it did and not two jumps later.
While a riding horse might be encouraged to go forward with seat and legs, not so with racehorses.  Stirrups are just too short for the rider to use much leg (I'm talking inches long) and they are out of the saddle the whole time.  Hands, whips, voice and just plain old heart are what gets a racehorse to give.
JAJ 25 Sep 2010 1:35 PM
J Valentine, you can see Nicanor's race, 8th at Belmont, 9/24/10, by going to nyra.com Belmont. Scroll down to lower left hand of page for video replays. You log-on using your e-mail; it's free.
mrsmaryzinke 25 Sep 2010 1:38 PM
Lentenor's race today ... 8 contenders.
#7 Kara's Orientation scratched
Rooting for Lentenor!
Love 'em all! 25 Sep 2010 2:40 PM
Two time valley player of theyear, go back to your golf course and work on becoming three time valley player of the year -- a better use of your time.  You'll be happier and so will we!
Cal Gal 25 Sep 2010 2:50 PM
2 Time Valley Player of the Year??....we're impressed...that's right up there with the Heisman trophy isn't it?
Jim 25 Sep 2010 2:52 PM
Nicanor has such a huge turn of foot, even when he's hardly running like in this race
RachelFan 25 Sep 2010 2:57 PM
Abbie Knowles it is good to see you visit again, it has been a long time,  I see where "Date With Destiny" was scratched...dont give any attention to JAJ she has a tendency to attack what people say...if different from her thoughts...
It is great to hear from you!!! again.....Godspeed Lentenor, get that win today....
Ragsy 25 Sep 2010 4:18 PM
I am still drooling over Nicanor's looks yesterday, what a good looking boy!!!
Lentenor wishing I could help ya but too far away!!  Good luck sweet one!!!!!!
Ragsy 25 Sep 2010 4:23 PM
I am still drooling over Nicanor's looks yesterday, what a good looking boy!!!
Lentenor wishing I could help ya but too far away!!  Good luck sweet one!!!!!!
Ragsy 25 Sep 2010 4:23 PM
Missed Nic racing yesterday. Noticed Lenny just raced like 2 minutes ago. Probably just ended and crossed the wire, lol. Hope he did good.
Maki 25 Sep 2010 4:26 PM
Ohhhhhhhh I'm so sorry Lentenor didn't win. Something was not right with him. He was caught up in a crowd but he just didn't seem to run like he has been running.
Any ideas everyone???
Linda/Maryland 25 Sep 2010 4:40 PM
Lentenor is a better horse than that...I did not like his ride!  
Ragsy 25 Sep 2010 4:41 PM
2 time valley player of the year: It wouldn't hurt if you went elsewhere.
Linda/Maryland 25 Sep 2010 4:52 PM
Bless Lentenor -- he's safe!  Needs a consistent jockey, perhaps dirt next time, just love him win or lose.  He tried as best he could today -- not a good day for our beautiful Lentenor.
Cal Gal 25 Sep 2010 4:55 PM
Lentenor, what happened??? ah well, next time handsome
NancyC 25 Sep 2010 4:56 PM
Lentenor was 7th in his race. But he only lost by 5 lengths, he just didn't have enough in the stretch. Good try boy!
Azaria 25 Sep 2010 5:01 PM
He went 6th and seemed tired or irritated at the end..?
Was he shiftig in that Saez had to turn his head that sharply?
Couldn't see anything like that 'cause the quality of the video was poor.
Watched the livestream on delawarepark.com and the video stopped right in the turn, I kinda knew he had lost then :(
But Nicanor also finished 6th last time out, let's see what Lentenor can make from this point.
Really hope he is fine and comes out of that race well.
Looking forward to another very nice report from you Greg J. and can't wait for pictures of both brothers
Sarah 25 Sep 2010 5:02 PM
Not a bad race for Lentenor, but he is not a graded stakes horse. Keep him in Allowance races. Better luck next time.
Barry 25 Sep 2010 5:07 PM
Seemed to me Lentenor was ok comming in the turn then threw his head up and around and the race was over..what is it with these jockeys...7th in the race...
Michael Martinez is going to Panama for adult stem cell therapy they expect limited results and reject embyronic stem cell therapy capabilities to help...not great news for the young man...
Ragsy 25 Sep 2010 5:08 PM
Disappointing day for Lentenor. I didn't get to see the race, but it sounds like he was outrun in stakes company, which seems like it's becoming a distressing trend with these two boys. :/
anna mouse 25 Sep 2010 5:09 PM
Lentenor finished last....
Brielle 25 Sep 2010 5:11 PM
Lentenor and Interactif were back in the pack, stride for stride together and appeared to end up next to one another.  Like they were running their own little race.  That's not bad company for Lentenor -- and a good training experience for him.  Maybe an overnight stakes would be next for him??
Cal Gal 25 Sep 2010 5:17 PM
Lentenor did the best he could.  After listening to all the info on the other horses in his race, he was in very BIG company. He ran his heart out. Hope he gets lots of love and peppermints tonight. We love you Lenny win or lose!
Lou in TX 25 Sep 2010 5:18 PM
Lenny was way over his head today and I truly think he is NOT a grass horse but does better on the dirt.  Something was not right with him backing up the way he did but I don't think he was comfortable and yes, still looked green.  He is a Dynaformer and should get better later on.  All I care is that he came home safe and know that his day will come once he figures it out.  Love him just the same no matter what.
lobieb 25 Sep 2010 5:19 PM
2TIME VALLEY PLAYER OF THE YR
Your little world must be so boring and uneventful that coming on here slamming horses must give you a false sense of power and control. Tell me,how wrong am I?
Mike Relva 25 Sep 2010 6:01 PM
Erm.. he finished 7th, sorry.
Looked to me like he had beaten Interactif, but I was wrong.
The replay is already up here
www.bloodhorse.com/.../kent-s
Sarah 25 Sep 2010 6:36 PM
Congratulations to both our boys.  They did their best.  Lentenor got caught up in traffic and just could not get out.  He does need a consistent jockey.  Maybe dirt will be better for him in the future, after all Dynaformer was a turf horse.
Win or lose, we all love the brothers.
Chris K 25 Sep 2010 6:50 PM
Ragsy,
I'm a little astounded that you thought I had attacked Abbie Knowles.  I simply asked her for clarification of what she had written since it contradicted with what she later wrote in her post.
JAJ 25 Sep 2010 7:25 PM
Chris K, I think more than a regular jockey, Lentenor needs class relief.
JAJ 25 Sep 2010 7:53 PM
Glad to hear Nicanor won his race, our handsome boy. It just wasn't Lentenor's day, better luck next time. Yes Chris K, win or lose, we still love our handsome boys.
Penny in TX 25 Sep 2010 8:17 PM
ANNA MOUSE
Distressing? As long as they came out of it healthy,there will be another day.
Mike Relva 25 Sep 2010 8:28 PM
I'm still of the opinion that something happened out there just like last time Lenny ran, but between bad eyesight and a bad video I really couldn't tell.  It did look however as if he got caught in traffic not once but twice and I'm thinking maybe there was a bit of bullying going on there.  Toward the top of the stretch when you'd expect him to shift gears and start his stretch run it looked like he stopped, shut down and I think I saw three other horses go by.  Why?  did this new jockey have sense enough to try and stop him in order to keep him from getting hurt?  You tell me I couldn't tell.  Did anyone notice however that the horse he beat was one who beat him just a bit in his last race.  Also did you notice the horse just ahead of him was Interactif, who was supposed to be the Big Star.  Did those two have their own little race going Hm!  Could someone please give me a little insight into these questions?  I'm still a little new here.
Zowie 25 Sep 2010 8:43 PM
Hopefully, Gregg will be able to address todays issues.
Linda/Maryland 25 Sep 2010 9:02 PM
I sure wish MM would talk.
Linda/Maryland 25 Sep 2010 9:06 PM
I'd like to hear how Lenny comes out of this race because something was not to his liking today and you could see it in the way he ... well in this case in the way he 'didn't' run.
In the stretch he really turned his head out and seemed focused on something other than running.
L 25 Sep 2010 10:31 PM
Lou in Tx, I agree with that to. While a win would have been nice, I am glad that Lennie made it home safely.
It almost seems like Nicky likes the turf better and Lennie likes the dirt.
And Ragsy, I agree with you to, Lennie is a better horse than that.Not that it should have, or would have, but do you know or think there were any rabbits in  this race?
Lots of love to the Brothers and thanks to Greg !
sandieh 25 Sep 2010 11:00 PM
Another horrible accident today when Mark Anthony Villa's horse fell after finishing second, Mark was struck by a second horse. May we keep his family in prayers.
sandieh 25 Sep 2010 11:08 PM
I don't have an issue with the jockey, seems he did his job but Lentenor just didn't seem to be right. I'm very anxious to hear what Greg says from a first hand view. Hope Lentenor came out of the race okay and maybe Mr Matz will comment on what went down. Maybe he just needed this race, maybe it was too long for him. All I know is I love him and know he's better than his showing today. Get home safe Greg, and thanks in advance for your evaluations on the brothers. You rock!
Sherry 25 Sep 2010 11:41 PM
Zowie, Lentenor and Interactif were stride by stride back there for a good while -- having their own little gathering or tete a tete.
I think the heat was a factor and Lennie needs a consistent jockey -  also, that jockey was  really small in comparison to Lentenor, who is really big.
Cal Gal 25 Sep 2010 11:58 PM
Did not enjoy Lentenor's race today, and it was apparent he didn't either.  Something amiss? I hope not.  Win or lose, he's still quite a specimen of horseflesh.  Just hope he's not body sore tomorrow.  One out of two ain't bad.  Love the brothers still - no matter what.
Robin from Maryland 26 Sep 2010 12:04 AM
It looked like, at the top of the stretch that Lentenor was struggling with the jockey.  I think that maybe Saez was trying to get Lentenor to change leads.
The slow pace may have been part of the problem.  In his maiden win, the pace was so much faster.  It looked like he tried to go for the lead, but was held back.
Also, it's possible that Lentenor and Interactif had their own little race going on. LOL  
Mary 26 Sep 2010 12:18 AM
I rarely blame a jockey but I must say that with the slow early pace, holding him back like that did him in.  It was so obvious to me that Lentenor was confused.
Also, and please no one jump on me for saying this, but IMO Lentenor is a dirt horse, but his connections are operating on a level just below awareness, i.e. subconsciously they don't want Lentenor to be injured.
Mary 26 Sep 2010 12:56 AM
Love you Lentenor!
Tracy 26 Sep 2010 4:20 AM
Nobody wants Lentenor (nor Nicanor) to be injured.  MM and crew will figure Lenny out -- may not be this year, may not be until late next year but they WILL figure him out.  He's a big beautiful, talented colt and he will  be an enigma for a time, just as Nicanor was.  these two boys inherited the complications of their parents. Unlike Barbaro, who just ran and did whatever was asked of him,  these guys are a little more complicated.  They may age MM and PB and crew as they struggle to figure them out, but they'll be worth it.
Cal Gal 26 Sep 2010 9:22 AM
To finish the thought:  We all sense that these colts have the ability, with a certainty that is strong, but the baffling thing is the inability of their talent to be unlocked and released.  It must be more frustrating for MM and his staff than we can ever imagine.  We've had glimpses of their talent and know that it is there somewhere but something is blocking it.  We are not charged with the task of training them.  We could so clearly see what the problem was with Nicanor and had we been training him, we'd have let him have his way.  Both these guys need consistent jockeys who are tuned in to them.  Nic may have found his, but Lentenor has yet to.  I think something happened yesterday to so abruptly stop Lentenor in his tracks.  We'll hear eventually.
Cal Gal 26 Sep 2010 9:30 AM
Lentenor ran so well on dirt in the Florida Derby, so why have they chosen the turf for him? Just because he's a dynaformer doesn't mean he's going to like the turf more. I have not seen him run his best since he has ran on dirt. I didn't see the race yesterday, but from what I hear, he was not happy. I don't think he was in over his head yesterday, I think they should try to get him going on the dirt again. As we all know Lentenor is the better of the two and this isn't like him.
Oh well hopefully he came out of the race okay, and maybe he'll make them change their mind about the turf.
anniedixie65 26 Sep 2010 10:18 AM
Zowie,
No excuses for Lentenor. Good ride was provided, pace was slow, but Grand Rapport closed into it fine and he was behind Lentenor. He just looked flat and a bit overmatched. This horse is still a bit green when it comes time to turn on the jets. He had a little spurt around the turn and just flattened out. A return to the allowance ranks would be helpful. He's still lightly raced and just needs to go through his conditions before faceing these graded stakes type. Talent's there, just needs to mature. Growing pains.
The Rock 26 Sep 2010 10:41 AM
Let me clear something up, if MM runs Lentenor on the dirt, he may end up with an injury like Barbaro.  I think that he feels this way on a subconscious level, i.e. not consciously aware.  I don't think MM will ever run him on the dirt again, but I will always believe that he is a dirt horse.
Mary 26 Sep 2010 10:56 AM
If i could ban horses and horsemen and horsewomen getting injured/killed then I would do so!
I hate to see horses whipped unnecessarily.  Some riders worldwide are better riders than others!  For me Cash Asmussen is the best Flat jockey I have ever seen and Ireland's Ruby Walsh the best NH jockey.
Frankie Dettori is great though and so are many, many others.  As long as they put THE HORSES first I like them.  If they abuse the horses then I do not!
Nicanor ran a great race for Ramon Dominguez.
I have not seen Lentenor's race so cannot comment but I am sure Lentenor will be back!  The main thing is that he is ok and he is in very good hands!
Dynaformer has another great horse in the filly White Moonstone who bravely won the Meon Valley Fillies Mile at Ascot.  Thysken's Theory was a gallant third.  With her pedigree she may prefer dirt/synthetics/tapeta!
God bless you all and Barbaro's wonderful family!
Best wishes
Abbie
Abbie Knowles 26 Sep 2010 11:05 AM
I thought Lentenor was in a good tracking spot throughout and looked to be traveling comfortably, and then made a really nice bid around the turn. I thought Lentenor and Interactif were going to go past them or at least get up to place, but then they both leveled off. The winner ran a great race and seems to be coming into his own, peaking at the right time.
Perhaps too big of a step up in class in his 2nd start back off a long layoff and isn't in stakes form just yet. I do see improvement off of this race, and think he just got tired. Maybe he lost a shoe, but I don't think the jockey had any fault in the outcome, and don't see that jockey changes should matter. He has a consistent running style, is a smart horse, and these are top class jockeys who know what they are doing. Unless they make a poor split second decision that doesn't work out such as which way to go in traffic, etc, I don't think it effected Lentenor. It is nice to have an excuse for when the brothers run a questionable race, but it could be that he just got tired. How was the course playing that day? Maybe it was tiring?
What I noticed down the lane was how- it appeared to me- that Lentenor really had had his head up high and turned to the right towards Interactif. I didn't see a head on view of the race, but my guess would be he was lugging out towards the other horse, which usually means he is tiring, and the jockey was probably trying to straighten him out. I would like to hear Pletcher's comment on Interactif's race, because a horse of his caliber finished right alongside Lentenor. He was a lot farther back, a running style he hasn't shown in months, that with a slow pace that he couldn't run down and leveled off. Maybe he bounced after his last race, but it would still be interesting to see if it could give any clue for Lentenor.
I see improvement in the next race, this was a tough race and will help him get into top form if he came out of the race fine, always the biggest wish from us all. It was really nice to see him make that move around the turn, and can't wait to watch them run again! I wish HRTV had shown more of Lentenor in the paddock and post parade, he really is such a gorgeous horse!
Dee 26 Sep 2010 11:09 AM
Not Lentenor's day, but he will be back.  Looks like he needs a steady jockey, one that he knows and knows him.  Next time big boy!
Pat 26 Sep 2010 12:52 PM
Well, I am not Michael Matz, obviously, but he is too good of a trainer to be putting Lentenor in a race where the horse would be totally outclassed. Mr. Matz has seen something that none of us is privy to, and he does NOT think that Lentenor would be outclassed in the company he kept yesterday.  Far be it from me to think that he was.
Something happened, whether Lentenor was fighting with the jockey or what, and I am not sure what it might have been.
I saw what the other positive posters saw.  Lentenor was traveling well -- had even moved into a good position -- and then his head came up, turned toward the outside and the race -- for him -- was over.  It was almost as though he slowed way down, although I'm not sure, but with his head held askance like that I don't know how he could have maintained racing speed.
I'd love to know what went wrong.  As a long-time rider (not race rider) you just know when something disturbs the horse.  Lentenor's tail began twisting as well, like he was seriously annoyed about something.
Maybe we'll hear something from the jockey or Mr. Matz.  I, for one, would love to find out what happened, if anything.
Maybe it was just a power struggle with a new jockey, maybe something else.
rams2050 26 Sep 2010 1:24 PM
Bonjour Nicanor!
Congratulations, Nicanor, on winning Race 8 at Belmont Park on Friday September 24, 2010.
God love you. I knew you could do it.
I just watched the replay and just loved your perfomance.
I was so pleased to see you at the tracks so soon from your last race.
You and Lentenor need more practice so going to the tracks more often will most certainly help.
Whether you win or not, I love to see you and Lentenor anyways.
You and Lentenor are both so gorgeous, and I love admiring your beauty.
Hang in there, Nicanor, and you will eventually win a stakes race.
I believe in you.
Take care, and lots of love to you, Lentenor, Margano, Mr. Matz, and Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and of course, the new baby.
Lise from Maine 26 Sep 2010 1:28 PM
Bonjour Lentenor,
So sorry that you lost Race 8 at Delaware Park on Saturday September 25th, 2010.
I just watched the replay, and you were 4th for a little while.
I was so hoping that you would win but you look gorgeous anyway.
Keep racing, Lentenor, and you will eventually win the big ones.
So glad to see you so soon after your last race.
Keep practicing and you will make it over time.
Lots of love to you.
Lise from Maine 26 Sep 2010 1:33 PM
Hi!
Does anyone know if La Ville Rouge is carrying a boy or a girl?
Thank you!
Lise from Maine 26 Sep 2010 1:38 PM
Want to put something to rest:  We do NOT expect Nicanor or Lentenor to be reincarnations of Barbaro and we won't expect Margano to be either.  Truth is, if any of them proved to be, it would diminish Barbaro's achievements somewhat and we fans of this family of horses do NOT want that either!  We are truly just loving these horses for themselves and we hope and dream as any fan would do for any horse they love (bet Interactif's fans felt pretty disappointed yesterday, too). So please quit suggesting that we expect replays of Barbaro in Nicanor and Lentenor.  It just isn't so.  
Cal Gal 26 Sep 2010 2:03 PM
Dee. Rams2050 and others,
I think what you saw at the top of the stretch was the rider trying to get Lentenor to switch leads, which he did but not immediately.
It is not uncommon for horses to be galloping in a straight line and have a head cocked a bit to the side.  Watch a few head on shots, especially down the backstretch when they are not under pressure, and you will see what I mean.
JAJ 26 Sep 2010 2:51 PM
Mary said, "let me clear something up, if MM runs Lentenor on the dirt, he may end up with an injury like Barbaro.  I think that he feels this way on a subconscious level, i.e. not consciously aware.  I don't think MM will ever run him on the dirt again"
I'm sorry, but I just have to say that I completely disagree and would like to make the facts clear to those who may not know and might take your statement as fact. It's similar to when I'm at the track and hear some ignorant person talking about how Eight Belles should not have been racing on Derby day and was on steroids, telling someone else who has no idea what happened and then they think that is true. I have no idea why you think you know that is what MM is thinking, or what logic, reason, or proof there is to say that MM is afraid of dirt and that grass is safer. He does not treat Lentenor or Nicanor any differently than any of the other horses in his care. That might be your opinion but I don't think it was stated that way and I wanted to emphasis that grass is NOTTTT going to prevent ANY horse from breaking down with an injury like Barbaro's. The surface had nothing to do with what happened to him, it was the break and Brother Derek coming over on him and he took a bad step.
Karelian was training over the turf when he sustained serious injuries not unlike Barbaro's, and another top turf horse broke down immediately after winning the race for no known reason earlier this year. Santa Anita is switching back to dirt after synthetics, which is more closely associated with turf, was causing trainers to be concerned with the number of soft tissue injuries. It is a horrible and unfortunate part of the game on all surfaces and we can only hope to continue to look for solutions to prevent and treatment for such injuries.
Whether Lentenor is better on grass or dirt remains to be seen, I think he can do well on either.
Dee 26 Sep 2010 3:01 PM
JAJ,
Thanks for clearing that up, I have not seen a lot of head on shots. I tried to go back to the replay after the race to see if when and if he had changed leads but it was hard to see. Is not changing leads a sign of being tired or just green?
Dee 26 Sep 2010 3:06 PM
Cal Gal and The Rock thanks so much for giving me a little insight and confirming what I thought I  saw.
How bout if we all try to be patient and keep an eye out for any info that might shine light on what happened. For the most part there does seem to be a consensus that something DEFINITELY wasn't   right with out boy Lentenor.  I think we all know he can run a lot better than what we saw yesterday. Let's also hope that the boys get to run again soon and that Margano does well at school and La Ville is having a safe uneventful pregnancy.
Zowie 26 Sep 2010 3:46 PM
Some people on this forum are passionate about the brothers and know very little about horses in general, let alone race horses.
Some have a little horse experience but not enough to know much about them.
Some have a lot of horse experience but are learning about the racing aspect.
And some know horse racing from the inside.
Regardless of knowledge, people on this board have a passion for the brothers and should be treated with some respect.  Derogatory, snarky comments are becoming a regular feature of these blogs and its does not befit the Barbaro family to see it happening here.  I'm sure the Jackson's and Matz would have the patience and kindness to explain without put downs, knowing that the core emotion is concern for the beautiful brothers.
Respect the way we all feel about the brothers and have the decency to respond in a kind manner, even if you disagree.
Horsefirst 26 Sep 2010 3:56 PM
Horsefirst, thank you.  All that I really said about Lentenor's race is that the pace was so slow, he had a problem switching leads at the top of the stretch, and that IMO he is a dirt horse.  That's is really it.  
Mary 26 Sep 2010 4:58 PM
Dee,
Some horses are stronger on one lead than the other.  When they come out of the turn, you want them to switch to the other lead but sometimes they don't.  There a lot of reasons why a horse doesn't switch.
Sometimes they don't switch because they are in tight quarters.  Sometimes they are just too tired to switch.  Sometimes there is a soundness issue with one side (or exhaustion on that side), so they won't switch in order to protect the hurt side.  Sometimes for no apparent reason, they just won't switch in the stretch or switch very late.
Sometimes it is greeness.  Alydar was notorious for not switching in the stretch.  Imagine if he had--maybe Affirmed wouldn't be a Triple Crown winner.
I thought Lentenor switched leads just fine.  He made a big move on the turn and then flattened out.  I think a bit of class relief would see him run a more visually superior race.
JAJ 26 Sep 2010 5:23 PM
Mary, my intention was not to attack you but to explain, with facts, why I disagreed with your exact statement that I had quoted in my previous post, that MM is afraid of running him on the dirt because it is unsafe. A misleading statement like that can turn people away from horse racing and cause them to make false, negative assumptions. I am very passionate about defending horse racing with my knowledge and when I was responding I didn't think that I was being derogatory, negative, or mean and consciously tried to just list the facts as to why I disagreed. If it came across the wrong way, I apologize. I want nothing more than to see more people who love and support not only the brothers, but all the race horses, the many great people in the industry, and the sport. I don't like seeing negative comments to people and the brothers here and didn't think that I was contributing in that way. My passion in defending the sport I love was misunderstood.
Dee 26 Sep 2010 6:07 PM
If I've said this once, I've said this a bunch of times. Lentenor and Nicanor may not be in Barbaro's league which was a league of his own, but they are real fine horses. Any horse that can break their maiden, even those in the claiming ranks outdo thousands each year that don't make it. Both Nicanor and Lentenor have surpassed that and then some.
Barbaro was one of those gifted precocious thoroughbreds that got it, the first time, everytime, until he broke down because he took a bad step. He was magnificent.
I think Nicanor has finally gotten it. I think or perhaps I just hope and the handsome guy is almost 5. I think Nicanor may be a sprinter. I think he simply loses focus after a mile. I don't think he loses because he is huffing and puffing after a mile. He definitely likes to be in the lead.
Lentenor is 3 and I don't think he has gotten into his head yet that he is suppose to win. People call him green. I think he is still immature. And it might not be till next year that you see him start to win. Nicanor is handsome, but Lentenor is GQ handsome.
Lentenor, I watched your race on Saturday. I am glad I got to see you and you are safe and sound.
I am glad they are both racing because every month we get to see all of the stunning photographs from everyone.
And don't count Margano out just yet. He may be precocious as well. The Jacksons are not saying a lot about him.
Good luck in your next race Lentenor!!! Be it a stakes race or allowance, I think you will do better.
And as always Nicanor, I'll be tuning in next time. Good luck as well.
Kathy 26 Sep 2010 6:15 PM
Dee, I'm really not ignorant, but other than that you said nothing that hurt my feelings. There were terrible remarks directed at me made by Linda, I believe that was her name. It looks like Greg deleted her message.  I'm happy that he did before the whole world read it.
Mary 26 Sep 2010 6:44 PM
I'm here to learn.  I loved at the end of Nicanor's race the announcer said "Nicanor, Barbaro's little brother, he's tough as nails".  He looked great, and the last 1/16 in under 6 seconds, impressive.  He had a lot left.
Mary 26 Sep 2010 6:54 PM
HORSEFIRST
While I can appreciate your points,the day will never come that I stand for some of these individuals that obviously have issues to set back and level shots at will at Matz and his horses. When this happens I'll respond back.
Mike Relva 26 Sep 2010 7:21 PM
GQ Handsome?  Well, they are both extremely handsome.  And Margano is, too!   But it's their ability that seems under attack by some who post here and that is unfair.
These are good horses who are still training and developing and Nicanor is a little further along than Lentenor appears to be.  We'll have to learn to be patient and accepting of whatever the trainers and owners decide for their horses.  A regular jockey would be nice, tho = some consistency in their lives.  They spend all their days with these colts and know them better than we do.
Cal Gal 26 Sep 2010 7:21 PM
JAJ, I read that about Alydar, he had a problem switching leads.  The triple crown races between Affirmed and Alydar are probably the three greatest races I have ever seen.  Alydar was such a great horse.  When we talk about the Triple Crown races of 1978, we can't mention Affirmed without mentioning Alydar.  Affirmed, the pacesetter and Alydar, the closer.  That was a great year.
I know that there are several reasons why a horse does not switch leads, greenness, exhaustion, and soundness issues come to mind.
Zenyatta, in the Breeder's Cup was on the wrong lead coming out of the gate.  Mike Smith had to wrestle with her a little bit to get her on the right lead.  Smith said at the end of the race that he was really concerned about that.
Mary 26 Sep 2010 7:28 PM
I will agree to disagree about attacking comments on this blog, no matter what, as long as they are done with respect.
Look, there are many tools in the box to try, including another trainer.  That is not disrespectful if done with the horse in mind.  We all like Matz but it is possible that, for that moment in time, with that horse, (Barbaro) he was the one to bring the gift out- in THAT horse.  So when someone suggests a trainer change, I would try to think of it as that person just wanting to see the best in the horses come out and getting frustrated that it's not happening. If they go on to malign Matz in general, that's another issue and would come under a lack of respect. It is not a lot different then blinkers, whip or no whip, different shoes, etc.  I would consider it a potential part of the tool box.  However, one should  consider that Matz is under a microscope with these horses and that has got to be a bit thankless.
Horsefirst 26 Sep 2010 8:49 PM
I don't know what happened to Lentenor, he had the space to run.  I tend to agree that he needs a class break.
Under the heading of puzzle:
Nicanor....oy.  Did you see him put his head up after the race and try to get away from the bit?  As for the race, a few jumps more and he would have been second. Glad he won but it was close.
Back in the day, we would say Nicanor needs a cowboy and a lot of wet saddle blankets.  Before anyone gets offended by that, there are many, many good cowboys out there who are fantastic at starting horses. They stay off their mouths, let them learn how to balance and carry themselves, and are able to ride out snit fits.  Nicanor is reminding me a bit of a spoiled child.  As I said, back in the day (many years now) if you could place him on a ranch for a year and let him learn to pace himself, you'd have a focused horse when all was said and done because he'd learn that he had the rest of the day to work and he'd better save some of his energy when his rider is telling him to.
Now, that will be an unpopular opinion on this board but it is that, an opinion. (And won't happen) I think he's a very smart horse who gets bored very easily and then gets willful.
Common Mike, teach him to jump race or take him into the arena over some trot poles, cross rails, and gymnastics and teach him to work with his rider!
Horsefirst 26 Sep 2010 9:03 PM
Mary,
Nicanor finished his last 1/16 in 6.05, not 5.95 as reported here.  Not that it really matters--1/10th of a second is not a lot of time.  He was going pretty quickly.
I think Alydar's champion son Turkoman also didn't switch leads in the stretch.
JAJ 26 Sep 2010 9:09 PM
I really don't think that Lentenor was outclassed at all.  
Mary 26 Sep 2010 9:14 PM
I agree with you Mike Relva.
Dona 26 Sep 2010 9:45 PM
JAJ, yes Turkoman had that problem too.  Why?  What are your thoughts on that.  
Mary 26 Sep 2010 10:01 PM
Per the below comment by Mary. I am Linda/Maryland.    I didn't say anything at all. Please remember who said something to offend you before you start accusations.
{{{Dee, I'm really not ignorant, but other than that you said nothing that hurt my feelings. There were terrible remarks directed at me made by Linda, I believe that was her name. It looks like Greg deleted her message.  I'm happy that he did before the whole world read it.
Mary 26 Sep 2010 6:44 PM}}}
I have had horses for pleasure all of my life, but I know little about horse racing, only what I have picked up since Barbaro's misfortune. I am eager to learn and open to all opinions. It is wonderful to be able to blog here with people who do know about racing the TB's. I certainly enjoy it and hope that the negativity will stop. I believe that if a person is not here because they love Barbaro and are memorized by his brothers they should find another blog. I come here to absorb every drop of information I can.
Thanks everyone for the information and details of the brothers.
Linda / Maryland 26 Sep 2010 10:50 PM
JAJ -- it wasn't JUST that Lentenor's head turned to the side, it was that he raised it quite a bit higher, too.
Just to clarify what I think I saw. . .
rams2050 26 Sep 2010 11:49 PM
I know that there are some readers who might not know a lot about racing, and I thought what was said about dirt and injuries might give some people the wrong idea and cause more worry when Lentenor or Nicanor run on dirt. I didn't call Mary ignorant, I was referring to how a misinformed statement could lead someone to have the wrong idea about horse racing or an incident that occured reminded me of another time someone had the wrong information. I called the lady who was telling someone at the racetrack this story that sounded like PITA's version of Derby 08, bashing Larry Jones and Saez and fillies and not what happened at all- she is ignorant. I have no idea what your racing knowledge is, based on one comment. You could know more than me, I don't know. Usually I reread my posts but I had written two long comments and didn't think twice about sending it. Rereading it, I can see how it could have been misinterpreted, so I felt that I couldn't let it be assumed that I was calling Mary ignorant. Not the kind of person I want to be assumed to be, calling people on the internet names when we all just want to talk about the horses we love so much.
Dee 26 Sep 2010 11:59 PM
Linda/Maryland- There was another person, just "Linda", who posted a comment that was very crude and attacking in a 4th grader way and the comment was deleted.
rams2050- To me, his head and neck looked unnaturally high and twisted to the right also, more of an uncomfortable look on his face. My first impression was it appeared abnormal and more than a common occurrence of horses turning their head, but then again I can't say for sure if that is something that is common for Lentenor to do and is just the way he carries his head. He could have been looking around at something in the infield, or at Interactif because they both had flattened out and were in a two horse race for 6th and 7th.
Very interesting about Alydar, I didn't know he wasn't good with switching leads. He was always my favorite of the two, but then again he is the sire of my very first and all time favorite racehorse, Alysheba. Riding horses, I know that each one has a better "direction"- funny, I never thought about racehorses having a lead they prefer.
Dee 27 Sep 2010 12:20 AM
So sorry for Lentenor and his connections. I too think something was bothering him. I think Lentenor prefers to be outside of the other horses, not down near the rail. He looked pissed off to me, like he wasnt getting to run his race.
Dee, I think the horse your talking about who broke down after the wire on the turf was Global Hunter in the American handicap at Hollywood Park. He was sent to Alamo Pintado, the same Equine Hospital who did Lava Man's stem cell therapy. Last report i saw was he was in stable condition.
Criminal Type 27 Sep 2010 8:54 AM
Someone by the name of Linda (I think that was her name) posted a nasty comment about me.  I know that some of you saw that, before Greg deleted it.  Thank goodness he did.  I was horrified when I read it.
Dee, you compared what I said to some ignorant person at the track saying that Eight Belles should not have run in the Derby.  It is clear to me what you were saying.
I'm not commenting on any of this anymore.  
Mary 27 Sep 2010 9:44 AM
Hey JAJ,
Sorry for that outlandish comment, you know, I do value your knowledge.   I think it was due to too many guest's around here and perhaps the Black Russian got in the way of brain synapsis.....weddings receptions are something else...
Ragsy 27 Sep 2010 9:48 AM
Mike Relva and Horsefirst as always you write a lot of sense and I agree with much of what you write.
It is important that we bloggers learn to agree to disagree without being nasty about it.
We all love Nicanor, Lentenor and Margano and want what is best for them.  Or at least I hope we do!
Michael Matz and Lael Stables love their horses so they are in good hands.  Surely we can trust them to do what is best for all of them?
Have a great week everyone and stay safe.
God Bless
Best wishes
Abbie
Abbie Knowles 27 Sep 2010 10:44 AM
We all know the Jackson's use other trainers.  I'd love to see John Sherriffs with their new Dynaformer filly and with Margano.
First, I think he knows a thing or two about fillies and he obviously knows how to handle big horses!  IMHO, Margano is going to be big and gangly and we won't be seeing him until later in his three year old year. (Based on his yearling pictures)
However, he's a West Coast trainer and I don't believe the Jackson's run their horses out west?
Question:  Are Nicanor and Lentenor pretty much trained on synthetic tracks?
Horsefirst 27 Sep 2010 12:08 PM
Lentenor should have been right up there in a stalking position, particularly with the pace being so slow.  Instead he was stuck in mid pack.  Something happened to  him at the top of the stretch.  Whatever it was, the race at that point was over.  Johnny V. knew how to ride him, oh well, next time he will win.
Mary 27 Sep 2010 12:48 PM
Yes John Sherriffs is certainly a brilliant trainer who loves his horses and California seems to suit ZENYATTA very well!  So what is wrong with running horses out West?
Of course I live in the UK so have no East/West or West/East bias.  Some horses probably do better out West and some in the East. Just like people horses are all individuals; so what suits one does not necessarily suit another.
I have no idea what Nicanor and Lentenor train on but I hope a mixture of at least turf and synthetics.  Horses can get bored just as we can!
May God bless all horse lovers everywhere!
Best wishes
Abbie
Abbie Knowles 27 Sep 2010 2:00 PM
HorseFirst:  if the Jackson's decide to send Margano to Barclay Tagg, who also trains for them, then there is a possibility that he could race in Southern California eventually.  The Jackson's won the 2006 Hollywood Derby (G1 turf) with their other big horse, Showing Up, who was trained by Tagg.
Helen 27 Sep 2010 2:43 PM
Dee, I'm sorry there's a need to have to tell you this but nothing you say will sink in or make a difference. You have nothing to appologize for but the fact that you did just in case someone might missread or take what you said wrong, says a lot about your character and in mho, a kind and knowledgable person.
Your entry addressed something that was said and you quoted it exactly, and then proceeded to disagree and clearly stated why. That was very appropriate and clearly needed. The statement you addressed, was outrageous and inflamamtory, in my opinion. Unfortunately, your main issue was never acknowledged nor addressed. That seems to be the norm, here. Say something that creates outrage and then retreat into total denial and ignore the issue.
I personally get really ticked off when people start making comments about Michael Matz and the way the Barbaro brothers are trained. Nobody, and I mean nobody on this site knows enough to be in the position to question Mr Matz and his training techniques! To say we wished for better performance from the brothers is one thing but anything else borders on bad taste, imo. Especially since he trained Barbaro and knew exactly how to handle him. Also Showing Up, one of my favorite Lael horses. Michael Matz is a great horseman and he will get to the bottom of things if there is any issue and I do mean IF.
Another thing that people seems to lose sight of is  - we are just fans, we have no sayso, no finiancial interest or obligation in the matter and are therefore just interested bystanders that care very much about these horses. Let's try and act like that and weight the comments accordingly. It would behove some people to think a little more about the consequence of what is being said rather than just throw it out there as "in my opinion" and expect people not to take issue with it. IN MY OPINION!
Dona 27 Sep 2010 2:56 PM
Lenny what a stiff you were in this race, as I predicted way in over his head .So truth hurts I don't play the phony politically correct game. He got stomped!!!Barbaro brothers are ordinary racehorses, watch the Frankel from Europe.
2 time valley player of the year 27 Sep 2010 3:05 PM
Link to my photos from Nicanor's win at Belmont on Friday and Lentenor's race in the Kent on Saturday.
www.flickr.com/.../sets
ekdeutsch 27 Sep 2010 3:15 PM
uh oh, I know Barkley Tagg trained  Showing up. I had two thoughts in mind when I mentioned him. Showing Up ran in California and so did Precious Kitten and that was what I was thinking. I meant to say Round Pond, she was difficult but Mr Matz and his staff handled her just fine. One of my favorites at the time. I personally believe the Jacksons will leave Check the Label with her current trainer.
Dona 27 Sep 2010 4:01 PM
Helen
Is Margano going to Mr. B.Tagg?  When did you hear this?
Ragsy 27 Sep 2010 4:11 PM
Bring Nicanor home safely Ramon, and so too for Lentenor, Gabriel.
Matt D 27 Sep 2010 4:19 PM
If only "happy talk" about the brothers was allowed on this board, what a dull place it would be. However, 2Time, I think you could be a little more polite.
What are blogs but opinions?  This would be pretty dull if people weren't entertaining ideas and asking questions.
Personally, I have nothing but respect for Matz.  And yes, you can respect a person without idolizing them.  Learned a long time ago that was not wise.
I don't care if you have the two best horse people on the planet, calm, quiet, good to their horses, wise and patient.  One of them is going to be a better fit to a certain horse than the other, and vice versa.  There won't be any rhyme or reason to it but that's the way it works. So I don't get bent out of shape if another trainer is suggested as long as they treat their horses like Matz does.
Look, Matz was THE trainer for THE horse, BARBARO.  Fate had to be involved.  It does not make him THE trainer for every horse that comes along.  I don't care how long you've been in the business, there will always be puzzles that possibly, someone else figures out. It could even be an accident it gets figured out, but that's the way it works some times.
You can have your heart set on a goal.  I know. Bought the mare, picked the stallion, got a nice baby.  However, by the time it grew up, I knew it wanted to do something other than what I had planned for it and I was not going to be the rider it needed.  Happens.
Matz is a consummate horseman and I wish I could find the video of the Barcelona Olympics where he loses a stirrup and you CAN'T TELL- even over those huge jumps.  You don't see a rider much any more that sits as quietly as he did, hands still, and sticks like a burr.
Meanwhile, enjoy watching a real rider:
www.alexbrownracing.com/.../Michael_Matz
Mike and the famous jumper (TB) Jet Run
www.youtube.com/watch
Jet Run’s pedigree:
www.pedigreequery.com/jet+run
www.showjumpinghalloffame.net/.../jetrun.shtml
Mike goes first in this video:
www.youtube.com/watch
Aachen:
www.youtube.com/watch
Horsefirst 27 Sep 2010 5:47 PM
2TIME VALLEY HORSE PLAYER
Bet Lenny isn't as much a stiff as you probably are. Seems like being a knucklehead comes easy for you!
Mike Relva 27 Sep 2010 6:20 PM
Lentenor is not a stiff....he is just himself and is not to be measured by anyone else..so what, if he did not wsp in this race,sorry about that, but its not the end of the world he will overcome just you wait and see.....
Ragsy 27 Sep 2010 6:27 PM
Horsefirst,
Regarding your question on what surface Nicanor and Lentenor are trained on.
In Nicanor's last twelve published works, they are split down the middle, six on the dirt, six on the all weather surface.
Same goes for Lentenor, in his eight published works since his return on July 10th, four works on the dirt and four on the all weather surface.
BTW,
Nicanor and Lentenor came out of their respective races in fine shape. 
Greg J. 27 Sep 2010 6:37 PM
Dona, I just have to ask you, are you running the show here?  Please don't tell people what they can and cannot talk about, as long as their comments are respectful.  Some people on this board are extremely knowledgeable and I enjoy ready their comments.    
Mary 27 Sep 2010 6:38 PM
GREG J
Thanks!
Mike Relva 27 Sep 2010 6:51 PM
2 time vp is back to take his quickpot shots at the horses.  Wouldn't you be better off back out on the golf course trying to become 3 time vp of the year?  We'd like that!  Surely, you must have something better to do than just come here and express your B-S. I ditto what Mike Relva said in response. Crawl back into your golf bag.
Cal Gal 27 Sep 2010 6:55 PM
Mike,
No problem, also, anyone that signs their name as "2 time valley player of the year", well, that is reason enough for me not to respond to any remark by this person, not worth my time.
Greg J. 27 Sep 2010 6:56 PM
Nicanor and Lentenor are quality horses.  Lentenor simply had a bad trip, IMO jockey problem, and Nicanor "tough as nails" knows exactly how to win a race, his way of course; take the lead and refuse to be headed.  Johnny V. who had the mount in Lentenor's maiden win and an allowance race where he finished second, was a good fit for Lentenor.  
Mary 27 Sep 2010 7:17 PM
I watched Nicanor's race for the 18th time, seriously, and near the end of the race when he started to pull away from the rest of the pack, he didn't hear Skipadate coming, rather he saw him coming from the outside.  That's why at the very end Nicanor dug in deep.
Watch the video again and you can actually see when Skipadate enters Nicanor's radar and how Nicanor responds.
We all know that horses can literally see what is behind them.  
Mary 27 Sep 2010 8:09 PM
Ragsy, we know that there will be better days and no matter, these Brothers are our love. We have learned so much about horses, equine diseases, treatments, etc., by being given the opportunity to communicate on this blog. We can look forward to the next race!
Mike Relva,that was funny!
And dear Greg, there are a lot of people who feel the same. Thank you Greg, as always for your dedicated time to keep us updated on the Brothers!
sandieh 27 Sep 2010 8:32 PM
Myself, I am going to totally ignore anything said by "2 time valley player of the year".
It's not worth acknowledgement.
Hoping to hear from Gregg tonight and see the pictures. !!!
Linda/Maryland 27 Sep 2010 8:37 PM
Hi!
Thank you so much for sharing some photos of Nicanor and Lentenor.
How about sharing more of them?
They are so enjoyable to look at.
Thank you!
Lise from Maine 27 Sep 2010 8:39 PM
Thank you Dona, I agree with what you said and don't think you were encouraging people to be disrespectful by agreeing with me and saying that people should state their opinions and disagreements in a constructive way.
I wasn't going to comment further on this but need to say one last time that I don't think I was being disrespectful. I did not call her ignorant. I disagreed with her original comment and the way she stated some strong words about MM and dirt as fact. Stating untrue facts to people who might read that and take that into their knowledge is what reminded me of the situation at the track when someone else was stating untrue facts to another fan who didn't know what had happened.
I called the woman at the track ignorant, and didn't say she reminded me of mary- I said, for the 5th time, that relaying false information was what I saw similar. If I hadn't used the word ignorant to describe someone else, would this even be an issue? I explained this before, but I think you have your mind made up and don't want to see it any other way and your opinion is unwilling to hear any reasoning as to how it could have just been a misunderstanding. You alone choose to place that association there, you are connecting me calling the lady ignorant to calling you ignorant. It is my OPINION that you didn't like that I disagreed with what you said and the way in which it was stated. If I was disrespectful, I wouldn't have apologized for any misconception or have tried to explain how and why I did not call you ignorant. I'm sure I'm wasting my breath in defending myself to you, but I didn't want others to assume that I am a disrespectful person who will be posting negative things, without explaining why I felt that I am not.
Dee 27 Sep 2010 8:52 PM
SANDIEH/CAL GAL
Thanks!
Mike Relva 27 Sep 2010 10:27 PM
Looking forward to the races this weekend. Both Ladies are racing as far as I know. How special a time that we have two spectacular fillies. Maybe we will be blessed with a little fillienor in the near future. :-)
Linda/Maryland 27 Sep 2010 11:35 PM
I love several weekends in a row of racing with my favorites. Nicanor and Lentenor and now Zenyatta and the Jockey Club Gold Cup with Blame, Rail Trip, Fly Down and others, but unfortunately no Afleet Express. I am thinking Rail Trip might do better on the dirt similar to Lookin at Lucky if his training has been any indication.
Dee 27 Sep 2010 11:55 PM
Lael Stables full sister to Enticing ,Map Of Heaven had her first race as a 2 year old to-day at Newbury in England over 6 furlongs.After running very green in the early stages she ran on well
inside the last 2 furlongs to finish 5th of the 14 runners and should go on to win races.
John T 28 Sep 2010 1:27 PM
both are ordinary race horses ,accept the truth, stop living in la la land.This is a blog for opinions I have given mine if you don't like it don't read it but of course you can't resist that's why I get these phony personal attack comments but really don't care.You can't change history Lenny was a stiff and Nic hasn't beaten much and is not a stakes quality horse those are facts.Barbaro was one of a kind thinking that these brothers could be like him is dreaming- wake up,they are ordinary race horses.Frankel from Europe is a horse to watch.
2 time valley player of the year 28 Sep 2010 1:58 PM
Thanks Greg for the update on what surface the brothers work on.
That's published works, I'm thinking.  General training, galloping, legging up....synthetic?
I was wanting to ask, maybe JAJ, if horses have a hard time going back and forth all the time and if that is a potential factor in performance?
Horsefirst 28 Sep 2010 3:59 PM
ekdeutsch,
Thank you for the beautiful photos of Lentenor.
Horsefirst 28 Sep 2010 4:02 PM
Dee,
I'm so glad you understood my point and the reasons thereof but from reading your comments, I knew you would. Thank you.
Just read that about Real Quite. He will be missed by many and I know it was a shock to Gary Stevens. He put Real Quite right up there with the best. RIP
Dona 28 Sep 2010 5:24 PM
Mary, No. I don't or you wouldn't be on it. Enough said.
Dona 28 Sep 2010 5:32 PM
Rachel Alexandria has retired!!
Linda / Maryland 28 Sep 2010 7:03 PM
It's Real Quiet, not Real Quite.   Your comments to me have been unbelievably nasty, so I will no longer read anything that you write.  You really go on and on about nothing.  I can only assume that you are a very young girl,  I love Barbaro and his brothers.
By the way, my husband owned "Island Sand", 2nd in the Kentucky Oaks a few years back.  I'm not going to tell you how much he sold her for, look it up.  She was sold in foal to AP Indy.
Mary 28 Sep 2010 8:32 PM
Disappointed that Rachael has been retired.  She has a date with Curlin, a horse, IMO is highly overrated.  I have seen her run a few times, such a lovely horse.  
Mary 28 Sep 2010 8:48 PM
Thanks John T
MJ 28 Sep 2010 9:51 PM
EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion and if you cannot agree with a remark then please disagree in a civil and courteous manner.  Good manners cost nothing!
I am sorry that you feel you are being "attacked" Mary; there is really no need for anyone on any blogsite to be unpleasant to fellow bloggers.
A P Indy was a great choice of Stallion for Island Sand, Mary.  He is an all time great as his Dad Seattle Slew was!  I will look out for that one!  Colt or filly and how old?  I hope you have the joy of having bred a truly great horse because on pedigree you could have!
Nicanor, Lentenor, Margano and all the family of Dynaformer and La Ville Rouge are very special to us all and to their connections.
I hope that Nicanor will now go from strength to strength.
I am sure that Lentenor will win races and that he will bounce back!
Gabriel Saez is a fine young horseman but he is young.   We all make mistakes.  I did not see the race but IF he did anything wrong then it may have been inexperience and he will learn from it.  Give him a break!  He has not been rding for anywhere near as long as Johnny V.  I think that Gabriel Saez has a very promising future and just needs a good mentor!
Have a great day everyone!
All the best and take care
Abbie
Abbie Knowles 29 Sep 2010 12:34 AM
GregJ
Your pictures of the Brothers on Alex Brown Racing are awesome.
Ragsy 29 Sep 2010 11:20 AM
I remember Island Sand, but I did look it up. Sold in foal to AP Indy for 4.2 million. The colt she was carrying, who is 3 now, has won a little over 10 grand to date. She has an 08 AP Indy colt too. they are AP Eli & Martini Brother respectively.
CRIMINAL TYPE 29 Sep 2010 11:23 AM
Iam greatly disappointed with the retirement of Rachel, the main reason I was going to the Breeders Cup...sad, sad and sad....I love her so, on a high note, I cant wait to see her colt or filly from Curlin, he is one awesome dude...
I sure wish Mr. Seattle Slew was still with us, such a marvelous stallion..
Ragsy 29 Sep 2010 12:53 PM
My ex husband owns AP Eli.  
Mary 29 Sep 2010 1:39 PM
2TIME VALLEY PLAYER
It's not"living in la la land". It's respecting these two horses',obviously you don't. We know living up to Barbaro isn't realistic,but that doesn't mean they are stiffs. Question? Are you really that much an idiot that you can tee off on them and not expect an answer from some on this blog? It doesn't work that way!
Mike Relva 29 Sep 2010 6:42 PM
Hey, 2-timer!
An 'ordinary' race horse usually doesn't earn a dime.
Lentenor and Nicanor have both earned money to date.  Nicanor has earned more than $100 grand; Lentenor  finished 4th in a Grade 1 stakes race, hardly an 'ordinary' performance by a race horse.
rams2050 29 Sep 2010 7:46 PM
2 valley:
Of course you are entitled to your opinion.  However, almost all sane connections would need to consider stakes company after winning a $75,000 allowance/optional on the  New York circuit.  In your "opinion" where do you route the colt from here?  
brettzky99 29 Sep 2010 8:25 PM
Mike Relva -- Amen.  But that guy is  just verbally throwing his weight around because he probably can't get away with it any place else.
It's easy here under his silly pseudonym.  We react because we respect the connections and love the horses.  Let him blather on -- he is meaningless.  
Cal Gal 29 Sep 2010 9:17 PM
Criminal Mind, the AP Indy colt that Island Sand was carrying when she was sold is now 2 years old, Martini Brother. AP Eli is an AP Indy 3 year old colt.  Looking at Martini Brother's workouts, I would say that he will be entered in a race soon.  AP Eli is having a little trouble breaking his maiden.
Sorry that my ex husband sold Island Sand, lovely filly.
Mary 29 Sep 2010 10:38 PM
Jon,
FYI,  I am done with you and your comments, take your nonsense somewhere else, Thank You.
Greg J. 30 Sep 2010 12:10 AM
Mary,
Your ex-husband did extrenely well to sell Island Sand when he did.  The market has crashed.  Her value has plummeted since then.  Her produce record is not looking very promising at the moment, either.  He did well with Island Sand.  Lovely filly or not, she has two foals of racing age who have done nothing of note even when bred to a top proven stallion.
JAJ 30 Sep 2010 7:34 AM
Rams2050,
"Ordinary" racehorses do earn money and most starters break their maiden.
These horses have shown to be good horses but greatness so far has alluded them.
JAJ 30 Sep 2010 7:38 AM
JAJ, you are right, neither one have done anything.  $4.2 million is pretty good. I would have kept her, but then, what do I know.
Mary 30 Sep 2010 9:25 AM
GREG J
Not sure if this is the same individual,maybe two different knuckleheads. lol
Mike Relva 30 Sep 2010 10:39 AM
Mary
I think you are quite knowledgable and a fun person.
GregJ
what about your pictures? Do you want to sell that one of the magnificient Nicanor?  I sure would buy it, if so.....beautiful boy that he is....
Ragsy 30 Sep 2010 11:07 AM
JAJ, Greatness has eluded a LOT of horses.  ANyone heard any comments from Interactif's connections?  The Kent was generally regarded as his to lose, He galloped along with Lentenor for a while and then pulled ahead of him slightly to finish 6th, to Lennie's 7th.  
Cal Gal 30 Sep 2010 11:34 AM
HORSENUT23
You are a class act.
Mike Relva 30 Sep 2010 7:31 PM
ABBIE
Thanks for the kind words.
Mike Relva 30 Sep 2010 7:31 PM
Thank you Ragsy, such kind words.  Also, Greg can't wait to read your take on their races.
Mary 30 Sep 2010 9:48 PM
MJ
 You are very welcome,the dam of Enticing and Map Of Heaven,
Superstar Leo was very fast herself
winning 5 races but it was this very week-end in 2000 at Longchamp
in Paris when she had her proudest moment finishing second as a young
2 year old filly against horses of all ages from both sexes in the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye over 5 furlongs.I do not know if Lael Stables plan to run Map Of Heaven again this year but if they do I will give an update.
John T 30 Sep 2010 10:10 PM
I agree that too much time goes by between races for the two brothers.  This last race, it seemed like Lenny had no desire to win.  Nicanor finally had a jockey that let him run!!!!  great job....
Jodi 01 Oct 2010 7:26 AM
Mary, you are and I think a lot alike.  I, too, would have kept the filly, or at least dearly wanted to.  From a business point of view, it would have been foolish.
JAJ 01 Oct 2010 5:27 PM
Jodi,
It becomes very difficult to find races for horses who don't have any (or many) conditions left and are not running for a lower level claiming price.  There just aren't that many options of where to race.  Plus, a race might be written, but doesn't fill.
In general, horses at the upper levels "tend" to run once a month.    Cheaper horses "tend" to run more often.  The better horses usually have from 6 to 8 starts a year.  That's all.  Half a century ago, many of the top horses ran a lot more often, but not all of them.
When horses are given time off there is always a reason.  Criticizing the trainer for a long layoff is just plain wrong.  You don't know why Lentenor was stopped on, but, believe me, there was a reason.
I do not share your opinion that Lentenor had no desire to win.  He looked like a horse that was over matched.  A horse who doesn't care to win tends to back out of it pretty quickly.  Lentenor didn't back out of it--they just out ran him.  It was a very tough field.
JAJ 01 Oct 2010 5:39 PM
Would be interested in hearing from these posters just what they think it was that made Barbaro such an outstanding racehorse. He was unbeaten at his death.  Is it definable?
Cal Gal 02 Oct 2010 10:06 AM
JAJ, with all due respect, and I really mean that; you are so knowledgeable about this game, but I don't necessarily think that Lentenor was out matched.  He was placed in the middle of the pack, which with the slow pace, did not serve him well at all.  He should have been much closer to the pacesetter, but for some reason Saez held him back.
At the top of stretch, there was definitely something amiss.  Maybe Saez was trying to get him to change leads, I don't know.
Mary 02 Oct 2010 10:05 PM
Cal Gal,
" Is it definable?"
If the "once in a blue moon" were definable, it would probably be be more repeatable.
We never got to know just how much Barbaro could do on the track.  What he did off the track may be his greatest legacy.  
Horsefirst 03 Oct 2010 10:09 PM
Mary,
I'm sorry, but to me he looked like a horse running over his head. In his defense, the race was very tough.
If I remember the race and the fractions, the pace wasn't that slow--it was pretty honest and then picked up a lot in the third quarter.  They weren't stopping and he just looked like he couldn't keep up.
He was in the middle of the pack because either that is where he wanted to run or that was as fast as he could comfortably run against that company.
When running a route race, a horse needs to find a rhythm they are comfortable at.  They are not like cars that you can just step on the gas pedal or ease off and not have it affect the horse at the end of the race.  If a horse is taken out of his comfort zone early in a route race--such as running just a bit faster than he is comfortable running--he won't have anything left to finish.
That is my take on the race.  I didn't speak to Matz or the rider who are the only ones who really know.  Visually, that is what it looked like to me.
JAJ 04 Oct 2010 8:10 AM
As I watched Zenyatta this weekend, I could not help but think of Barbaro and wondered how long a winning streak he might have had -- maybe as long or longer than Zennie's because he was such a versatile horse -- any surface, any time, nearly any style.  But I also remember hearing an announcer say that great horses can lose and still be great horses -- Zenyatta is a great one, without a doubt.  We may not fuly appreciate her greatness until the passage of time -- that happened with Secretariat, and that was the context in which they made that statement.  He was clearly a great horse, but he lost a couple of races, too.  And it took a little time before we had the perspective to see fully just how  truly great he was.
He will always be my favorite.
Cal Gal 04 Oct 2010 2:02 PM
keep the personal phony attacks coming lol it doesn't change the fact,Lenny was a stiff and way in over his head in this race as I said long before the race.Any serious handicapper could see that.As for optional claimer lets see if they put Nic in stakes competition in Ny or back to phony Delaware.Relva your seem to be a astute capper you did like Haynesf and he came up with a big win but these brothers are allowance horses at best forget stakes.Frankel is the 2 yr old to watch.
2 time valley player of the year 04 Oct 2010 2:47 PM
Has Margano left for school yet? I know that it is about time. I think it would be very precious to have a picture with all the Brothers together.
Hey, Horsefirst, I totally agree with that last sentence. Barbaro has brought more awareness to the equine industry to include treatment of horse diseases, animal abuse, this really opened up a lot of topics for discussion concerning horses.
I lost my cat today, my darling Sammy. Sammy was my company and I loved him so dearly. Animals are great companions and my Sammy really played a role in my getting better after suffering a serious illness.
Hoofprints and Pawprints in Heaven..
sandieh 04 Oct 2010 6:17 PM
I too do not believe Lentenor was overmatched JAJ, go back and look at the video again and perhaps you will get a different thought...
Mary, thank you for your input...
Cal Gal, what is there to remember by defining a Champion who suffered a tragic accident and was loved by the world for his exceptional and gallant spirit that wanted to live. Most person's were well aware of his expertise on the track before the damnable injury that eventually took his life in the form of Laminitis.  I think that the research and donations to his fund will be the most inportant aspect of his young life..even though Love is what brought that fund to prosper....
Ragsy 05 Oct 2010 11:57 AM
Ragsy, and that is exactly what Barbaro and his family represent for me -- Love.  That he was so very talented goes without saying. the course his life took was tragic.  Gone too young, much
too young.
He left us much too soon but his brothers are here for us to love and enjoy.
Two time VP of the year:  Crawl back under the bridge you came from and leave us to enjoy the horses -- we know what you think and we just don't care and aren't even slightly interested in what you have to say.
Cal Gal 05 Oct 2010 8:47 PM
sandieh,
Very sorry on the loss of your cat. I am reminded that we get them for such a short time, as I took our geriatric-aged cat to the vet today.
They cross the Rainbow Bridge and have many of our loved ones waiting for them on the other side.
Horsefirst 05 Oct 2010 9:42 PM
Sandieh, so so sorry for your loss.  Ragsy, thank you.  And thank you JAJ. Really though, I have to say that the pace was very slow, and after watching the race several times, I just don't think that Lentenor was running in his comfort zone, ie., closer to the pace.
JAJ, thank you so much for your input, much appreciated.
Now, somebody, anybody, please explain to me what was going on in the top of the stretch.    
Mary 05 Oct 2010 11:11 PM
Cal Gal, the great Secretariat.  I have watched his races so many times.  I would love to see another one like him; he actually lifted a nation out of dispair, he really did!  I will never forget, as a little girl, watching him run in the Belmont.
Mary 05 Oct 2010 11:25 PM
Cal Gal....I think Barbaro will always be rememberd as a Kentucky Derby winner but he will be remembered a lot longer for all the good that has taken place after his death.  All the charieties that were started to raise money to fight Laminitis, to fight against horse slaughter, to find forever homes for retired race horses and others.  His legacy will live on through all our hearts and all the love for him. His statue will forever remind us that he didn't get to finish what he started. It is a testiment to his greatness and his life upon this earth. Words are not adequate to express or define his meaning to all.
Lou in TX 06 Oct 2010 12:11 AM
Sandieh,
I am sorry to hear of your loss, may Sammy R.I.P.
Greg J. 06 Oct 2010 7:39 AM
Sandieh....so sorry about your cat. I hope you have some other animals with you to help fill that void. Not that Sammy can ever be replaced.
I just adopted a cat from the Humane Society.  She is 4 yrs old and such a joy to have around. I named her "Miss Kitty" you know from the old TV show Gunsmoke. She is grey with some white and touches of light brown.  May Sammy have lots of fun across the Rainbow Bridge playing with all of the other cats. And may you stay in good health to. We all enjoy your posts so much.
Lou in TX 06 Oct 2010 9:58 AM
Sandieh,
So, so very sorry over your loss of Sammy -- after losing several of my beloved kitties, I fully understand your feelings.
Cal Gal 06 Oct 2010 11:16 AM
Nicanor was instrumental in my overcoming the grief of Barbaro's loss of life...your right, Cal Gal, without love, none of this would have happened perhaps  2tvpoty doesnt understand that........Jesus would be pleased with love!!
Sandieh, I too am sad for your loss, in time, reach out and adopt another Kitty...
Just think, when we get to Heaven we will be greated by all we have loved and that includes animals, I want a job with the horses...
Ragsy (( Rapture Ready)) 06 Oct 2010 1:10 PM
Sandieh, so sorry for your loss.  And who is this 2 time "loser" that keeps blogging about crap with regard to Nic and Lentenor???  He doesn't like Barbaro's brothers. Sounds like he is just bored and wants to annoy people on this blog. Phony personal attacks?  I don't think anyone was being phony of what they were saying back to you. Take a hike.
Deby 06 Oct 2010 1:48 PM
Sandieh, I am so sorry to here about your cat. You never know when another cat is going to come into your life. I hadn't had a cat since my had to be put to sleep at the age of 18 or so a couple of years ago. My new cat is about 1 1/2 to 2 years of age and I found him hanging out at the business office at the apartment complex that I live at. I took him in because the complex manager said he needed a home. I named him Hercules because he thinks he is a superior cat and then some. And he gets along with my dog. And other then him deliberately pulling things off of counters and tables and first opening and then climbing into cupboard, using the couch as a nail sharpener and oh yes, making smooshy sounds with plastic bags that he has dragged from drawers and cupboards, he is a super well-behaved cat.
You will know when it is right to find another furry friend.
Kathy 06 Oct 2010 2:20 PM
Warning- Off topic
I hope the following link works.  Thought I would post this here for everyone's enjoyment.  The World Equestrian Games are currently on in Kentucky.
Apologies for the lengthy instructions, the only copy of this video I could find on YouTube was in German and the commentator talked too much.  Anyway, for as long as this link is available for non-members, you can watch many of the rides.
The fourth place ride brought down the house. (Technical issues and perhaps a little less difficulty- for a very, technically difficult ride watch Peters)  And you DON'T do what the crowd did here.  Dressage is normally done with everyone being very quiet.  The crowd could not contain its enthusiasm and the rider kind of encouraged it.  Horse seemed to handle it until the end!
Wonderful, Andalusian stallion, Fuego XII and Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz.  Go to the site, scroll down to Part 3, his ride begins 12:30 in:
www.topdressage.tv/.../viewtopic.php
(Of course, you can enjoy the other rides as well)
Horsefirst 06 Oct 2010 6:59 PM
A special thank you to EVERYONE for their kind words of comfort in  losing Sammy. Totally unexpected, Sammy was only six years old and thought to be in perfect kitty health. He was ok and playful only twenty minutes before I found him gone.
This can be a reminder to pay careful attention to ANY kind of odd behavior or anything that may be different with our beloved pets.
Ragsy, true words, love is hard to replace, and I think I will take the advice of a few of my fellow bloggers and visit the Humane Society soon.
Horsefirst, thank you and I hope your kitty's visit was for good health.Mary, Lou in TX and Cal Gal, thank you to, Greg, for words of comfort.
Ok, has anyone seen the movie about Secretariat? I heard the movie was true to facts. I never got to see the movie The First Saturday in May, about Barbaro. Does anyone know where I can order that movie?
Love, carrots and mints to the Brothers and hope to hear some news about Margano soon!
sandieh 06 Oct 2010 9:43 PM
Sandieh, a lot of the tracks that have their own stores, like the NYRA stores that are at Saratoga, sell The First Saturday in May on DVD and video stores have it in stock as well.  Try an FYE store.  Going to see the Secretariat movie this weekend.  He was my all time favorite.    
Deby 07 Oct 2010 9:21 AM
I noticed that Social Page owned by Ramona S. Bass & Dorothy Matz
and trained by Michael Matz got her maiden win yesterday. She outdueled Sugar Expresso.
It appears that two of her full siblings have done pretty good for themselves.
Horse Color Sex Year Sire BM Sire Record Earnings Family  
ALUMNI HALL (USA) ch H 1999 AP INDY ALYDAR  29-9-5-3 $747,756 8-g Edit
ALUMNI NEWS (USA) b G 2000 BELONG TO ME ALYDAR  13-1-3-1 $21,895 8-g Edit
PICKET2 (USA) ch M 1998 SMART STRIKE ALYDAR  9-0-3-1 $20,000 8-g Edit
PRIVATE GIFT2 (USA) ch M 2002 UNBRIDLED ALYDAR  19-5-2-3 $212,248 8-g Edit
ROYAL BOX2 (USA) ch M 2001 AP INDY ALYDAR  5-0-0-3 $10,350 8-g Edit
SECRET PLACE3   F 2004 DIXIELAND BAND ALYDAR  ?-?-?-?   8-g Edit
SECRET STATUS (USA) ch M 1997 AP INDY ALYDAR  19-8-3-4 $1,053,705 8-g Edit
SOCIAL PAGE2 (USA) ch F 2007 AP INDY ALYDAR  6-1-1-3 $58,240 8-g Edit
STATE TREASURE3 (USA) dkb/br F 2006 MINESHAFT ALYDAR  4-M-0-1 $6,624 8-g Edit
Kathy 07 Oct 2010 9:41 AM
Sandieh...the movie comes out tomorrow, Friday.  Can't wait to take my granddaughter to see it. She loves Barbaro and I took her to Louisville to see his statue last summmer. According to alot of people who have already seen the movie, there are some untruths in the show.  But this is a Disney movie and should be accepted as such. The real story is a very real one and thanks to Ms Tweety women now play a great role in horseracing. Know I will enjoy the show just for honoring the great Secretariat.
Lou in TX 07 Oct 2010 11:13 AM
Sandieh, I'm going to see the Secretariat movie tomorrow afternoon.  I just can't wait.  Also, you can order the Barbaro DVD from Amazon.
Mary 07 Oct 2010 2:07 PM
Ragsy and Deby, thank you, this blogg and news about the Brothers have been a great comfort to me. Deby, I do have a FYE close to home. Great! Lou in Tx, "Miss Kitty" that made me smile.Kathy, what a nice story!
October 4, 2005, Barbaro's first race at Delaware Park.Hard to believe it was five years ago already. Barbaro's life after that is now legend..amazing to see his strength in both life and death and to see how many lives Barbaro has affected. How very proud the Jackson family must be!
sandieh 07 Oct 2010 7:47 PM
Sandieh, Sometimes their hearts just give out.  We had a lovely little long haired caramel colored kitty whom we called, what else? "Caramel".  One morning he went out for an explore and came back and lay down on our front porch for a catnap and never woke up.  We were all devastated.  I had to tell my little girls that their beloved "Kittymel" was gone (just like their Grandpa a month or so before).  It was a tough time.  A friend , who could no longer keep their gorgeous persian/siamese cat because it would not get along with their new puppy, gave us Caito several months later -- we moved him from California to Maryland and he developed Feleuk and we had to put him down.  Animals will break your heart.  Going to the Shelter is the best cure -- we did and came home with 2 cats who were with us for many years.  Whenever possible, always rescue an animal.  It's good for the soul and the heart.
Cal Gal 08 Oct 2010 10:41 AM
I saw "Secretariat" today.  Wonderful movie. The "Lucien Lauren" actor was just so funny.
Mary 08 Oct 2010 6:20 PM
Horsefirt, you will like this.  An important part of the "Secretariat" movie to me, was that Penny Chenery, before the coin toss, studied the pedigrees of the two mares in foal to Bold Ruler.  She zoomed in on Somethingroyal, out of the great Princequillo.  
Bold Ruler was not an endurance runner, but Somethingroyal's sire, Princequillo was.  This was made clear in the movie.
The coin toss gave her what she was hoping for.
I loved the closeup of Somethingroyal's pedigree, and the discussion about Princequillo.  
Mary 08 Oct 2010 7:24 PM
Hello Lou In Texas, Sandieh:
Mary your right about the pedigree, I loved that part of the movie also. but thought there wasnt enough of Secretariat in the movie...It did my heart good to see him run the Belmont. What a Champion!!
Mary did you read where Rachel missed breaking Secretariat's time by 4 seconds in a race...???
Ragsy 09 Oct 2010 9:29 AM
Mary I have a question, why was the nation in despair back in the 70's??  I dont remember seeing that. Of course, I was into school and college football and didnt notice much else...even missed the Great Secretariat so his movie meant a lot to me.
Ragsy 09 Oct 2010 9:41 AM
the movie any given saturday can
be ordered thru netflicks...
nmh 09 Oct 2010 12:28 PM
correction:  the movie about barbaro is the first saturday in may
nmh 09 Oct 2010 12:34 PM
Let me add that the movie had a few inaccuracies, nevertheless, it was entertaining.
Mary 09 Oct 2010 2:17 PM
Mary,
If you missed it, True Nicks did a pedigree time machine on Princequillo at Jockey Club Gold Cup time.  Also a timely article with the Secretariat movie.  Here it is if the link works, or go to True Nicks on this site and search for it:
cs.bloodhorse.com/.../princequillo.aspx
It wasn't just the endurance they were after, here's Penny Chenery from a time article:
www.time.com/.../0,9171,907424,00.html
"The best way to describe Bold Ruler's offspring," says Mrs. Tweedy, "is that they've been precocious and brilliant. Most of them have run their best at age two, at the shorter distances, and have been something of a disappointment at three, when they're asked to go farther. Also Bold Ruler was arthritic, and there's a tendency to unsoundness in the family." That means his offspring tend to go lame, early and often. “
“But Penny Tweedy has a breeding theory based on the belief that every horse, male or female, has some defects; the trick is to cross bloodlines so that the dam's virtues cancel out the sire's flaws and vice versa. According to this theory, she had the ideal mate for Bold Ruler—a mare called Somethingroyal, daughter of a very different kind of sire named Princequillo. “
The lady knew her stuff.
FYI, horses are "by" a sire and "out of" the dam.
What is mentioned above is what you try to do.  Sometimes it works, and you get the perfect blend, like Secretariat.  More often, one side or the other presents more.  Had a filly once, that seemed to take more after her maternal grandsire, than either her sire or dam.
Horsefirst 09 Oct 2010 4:41 PM
Ragsy, we were in Viet Nam, for starters.  Mary, you can finish this reply.
Cal Gal 10 Oct 2010 11:41 AM
Nicanor an Lentenor worked today.
Both went 4 furlongs on the fast dirt track and were 1-2 out of 9 over the same distance.
Time for Lentenor 48:20 breezing and Nicanor 48:60 also statet as breezing.
Sarah 10 Oct 2010 12:38 PM
Mike Relva, thank you! :-) I'm just catching up here, I see some of the 'ole trolls are back.... some things never change.......
Hope your horses are well...
horsenut23 10 Oct 2010 1:20 PM
Just got my notice that both our boys worked out yesterday.  Both on dirt and only a few seconds in time from one another.  Lenny was just a tad faster but then Nick was on the dirt also.  Looks like there should be races coming up soon for both, for Lentenor not sure what is available but Nick might race on the 17th in a stakes race.  Fingers crossed for both with hugs and peppermints thrown in.
lobieb 10 Oct 2010 5:18 PM
Ragsy,
What did you mean by:"Mary did you read where Rachel missed breaking Secretariat's time by 4 seconds in a race...???"
Four seconds translates to about 20 lengths, which means Rachel would have been nowhere near Secretariat.
JAJ 10 Oct 2010 7:09 PM
Ok, JAJ did you read that anywhere?
Secretariat's stride was measured by his owner at 25 foot but she did not believe that because he was not in full stride....Man O'War's stride was 30 foot...Mrs C. thought Secretariat's stride was longer and some think it was 32 foot.
Another thought, did Secretariat really win the Belmont by 31 lengths?  Big Red was an awesome ground gobbling moving machine...
I know Rachel could not come close to Secretariat.
Ragsy 11 Oct 2010 9:35 AM
Sandieh,I too am sorry for your loss of your kitty.  I am just now catching up reading some of the posts. Horsefirst, last of August we had to take our beloved "Duke" dog in to be euthanized, he was 18 yrs. While it was sad, it was a relief  to know he went out peacefully. We so miss him. Lou in TX, I too have a kitty named Ms Kitty. She was about 8 yrs old when we got her, now about 12.  I agree with getting an older pet, so many out there in need.    
Penny in Tx 11 Oct 2010 12:07 PM
Ragsy, Like Cal Gal said we were in Vietnam fighting a war, not to mention the whole Watergate scandal.  The year after Secretariat won the Triple Crown, President Nixon stepped down in utter disgrace.
Also Ragsy, like JAJ said, 4 seconds is a long time.  Secretariat would have left Rachel way behind, like he did Sham and the rest of them in the Belmont Stakes.
You are right, the movie really didn't delve enough into the horse; it was more about the owner.
Mary 11 Oct 2010 3:17 PM
lobieb, I think the 17th might be too early to run Nicanor; it doesn't seem to be Matz's style to run them so soon after their last race, but maybe he will this time.
JAJ, I do appreciate your take on Lentenor's race, thank you.
Mary 11 Oct 2010 3:28 PM
Margano may be leaving this week for Stephen's Thoroughbreds in Ocala, FL, where he will be broke to saddle, and rider, and learn about the Starting Gate -- should be exciting with this strapping  and gorgeous youngest brother!
Cal Gal 11 Oct 2010 3:40 PM
Lentenor's next race will be on the dirt; I'll be surprised if it's not.  
Mary 11 Oct 2010 11:41 PM
Ragsy,
All horsemen and women know that one second equals about 5 lengths.  It is a ratio that everyone just knows.
Whoever would have done the official charts on Secretariat's Belmont could have calculated his win margin since a length is the distance between the upright poles on the track--they just would have had to take a look at the picture when Secretariat crossed the wire and counted to the next horse.
Stride length doesn't really translate to speed.  I think the time the foot is actually on the ground is more indicative of speed, the quicker the turnover of stride, the faster the horse.
JAJ 13 Oct 2010 9:44 AM
Mary,
Lentenor entered on saturday at Keeneland going 1 1/8 over the synthetic Race 8. Post 11 with Robby Albarado
The Rock 13 Oct 2010 2:49 PM
Lentenor is entered in an allowance race at Keeneland October 16th.
They'll run 1 1/8 miles over the all weather track
It's an eleven horse field and he will break from the outside gate, R. Albarado has the mount.
Sarah 13 Oct 2010 3:41 PM
Lentenor is racing Saturday at Keeneland, polytrack, Race 8, pp 11, Robby Albarado is the jockey.
Cal Gal 13 Oct 2010 5:13 PM
Just got my notice that Lentenor is enterd into an allowance race this Sat. the 16th at Keenland. Race 8 at 4:52 (EST). Boy was that a quick turnaround!  I think this is just for experience since he is still learning. Goooo Lenny!!!
Lou in TX 14 Oct 2010 10:27 AM
JAJ
no person answered my question..and thats ok.  I love the fact about the stride.  Secretariat was a dream come true...thanks for being a good person...
Ragsy 14 Oct 2010 3:49 PM
I misspoke (miswrote)  Margano will be broken to the saddle, a rider, and the gate in Ocala.  We wish him success and fun while he's there.
Cal Gal 14 Oct 2010 4:43 PM
Ragsy,
What question didn't we answer?
JAJ 14 Oct 2010 6:11 PM
JAJ
It was "did you read", it was an article about Rachel and missing Secretariat's time by 4 sec..I did not phrase the question, just asked, did you read...thats my fault and thats ok too...
many thanks for your informative and interesting answers...
Ragsy 14 Oct 2010 6:44 PM
Ragsy,
No I didn't read anything that had Rachel in the same article as Secretariat.  You didn't provide a link.
You can't compare them--it is not fair to either horse.
JAJ 14 Oct 2010 7:15 PM
JAJ
I am not comparing those 2 individual horses, I could not find the article and thought someone here may have read it...sounds more like it opened a can of worms instead...
Ragsy 15 Oct 2010 11:57 AM
JAJ...most posters are here to learn so please don't assume that every horseman or woman know the facts you stated. I never had a clue 1 second = about 5 lengths. Please don't speak down to the people on this blog. We are here not only to support the brothers but to learn. We appreciate your knowledge so just be civil about the way you state things. I'm speaking about your answer to Ragsy, Oct. 13th. If you meant no disrespect then accept my apology. Maybe it was the way I perceived what you wrote. It seemed condesending to me. We all don't have the knowledge you do.
Lou in TX 18 Oct 2010 12:20 AM
I have been around Quarterhorses all my life and have enjoyed Horse racing the last 20 years.  I too must be in the dark because I did not know about the 1 second = 5 lengths.  Thank you JAJ for teaching me something new!
Penny in TX 18 Oct 2010 12:02 PM
Gretchen Jackson after Barbaro died "Grief is the price you pay for love".
Michael Matz said after Barbaro died "I hope that I have another one as great as him, chances are that I won't, but at least I had him once".
Mary 24 Oct 2010 9:17 PM

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