Lentenor will be making his second start back after his break, racing at his home track, Delaware Park tomorrow, tuesday August 23rd. This will be Lentenor's third race at Delaware Park. In his two previous races at Delaware Park, he finished 3rd in a allowance optional claiming race back on August 24, 2010, and, he finished 7th back on September 25, 2010, in the Kent Stakes (Grade III). Looking back, I don't think either one of these races are a reflection of Lentenor's talent since I believe he was dealing with his shoulder injury that went un-detected, and was later found, that is just my opinion.
He is entered in a $40,000 allowance optional claiming race (no tag on Lentenor!), with a purse of $38,000. The race will be run on the turf at a distance of a mile, with the rails set at 25 feet. Kendrick Carmouche will retain the mount on Lentenor after guiding him to the winner's circle on July 31st at PARX racetrack. I am excited and a little surprised that Mr. Carmouche will get the mount, pleasantly surprised I should say. I think Kendrick rode Lentenor smartly in his last race, he knew he was on the best horse that day, and just waited patiently until he could make his move, guiding Lentenor like he was a high performance race car through the traffic and hitting the finish line at just the right time, in first!
With the quick turn around and the step up in competition for Lentenor and Kendrick, plus the potential of a big field, this will be a good test for Lentenor and what races he is pointed towards down the road. You have a potential field of 14 for the race, with one being a main track only entry and four being "also eligible" entries. Lentenor will be breaking from the one hole, I think this will be a good place for Lentenor considering the size of the field. If Kendrick can get a clean break, look for Lentenor to be third or fourth going into the first turn on the rail. Lentenor will not have the luxury he had in the last race, where he was near the back most of the race before making his winning move. This field is a better class of horses, he will have to be stalking near the front to have any chance of winning. Another huge favorite of mine is also entered in the race. The five year old colt Roddickton will be breaking from gate position three. This will be Roddickton's first start with his new connections, after being sold in a private sale after his last race on July 23rd at Saratoga. In that race, Roddickton failed to fire and finished a disappointing sixth, after winning three straight races. Roddickton was trained by Mr. Matz his whole career, and it will be very interesting to see how he does first time out with his new connections. I will be very happy if we have a Lentenor/Roddickton exacta!! In fact, that is my prediction, Lentenor will win the race, Roddickton second, and Gaither Draw finishing out the top three. Lentenor is the class of the race and will be your post time favorite.
I will be making the trek down to Delaware Park once again, photos of Lentenor in the winner's circle to follow....
Good luck to all, and a safe race for all!!!
The field:
Post position---Horse---Weight---Jockey---Last three starts---Trainer
Photos from Lentenor's last race:
Photo of Roddickton getting some rest, taken at Fair Hill back on November 7, 2009 (Thanks Elaine!!!):
Thanks for your rundown on the race! I like the one spot too with the short run to the turn and he showed he's not intimidated down in there last race--just hope he gets out and gets clear sailing for home in this shorter race! Of course I love seeing the pictures of Lentenor, but that picture of Roddickton is just so sweet--thanks for sharing it again! I wish them both well--one, two would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Greg. I look forward to seeing the race from here at home. Roddickton looks like he's tired, but it's sweet, seeing that he's so calm and relaxed. I hope that Lentenor wins, and as you said, it'll be a bit tougher race. Lentenor got 4th in the Flordia Derby, so if he races like he did in the Flordia Derby, he'll be first no doubt. Wishing him by best.
ReplyDelete~ American Quail Lover
Enjoy your day at the races! Go Lentenor!
ReplyDeleteLindaVA
Beautiful pictures of precious Lentenor, good luck sweet one...
ReplyDeleteRose
I don't think he will have a problem if he runs like normal, good luck sweet one
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
God Speed Lentenor!!! Come home safe and sound. We'll still love you even if you don't make it to the winners circle. Love you bunches!!!
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
Thank you so much for this information. Have a safe trip and enjoy your day. All the best to our Lentenor.
ReplyDeleteRun safely, Lentenor!
ReplyDeleteShow the field how pretty your tail is flowing out behind you as you run away from them!!! :P
lol
I'll try to catch the race on TV if I'm home.
-Arem
Thanks for letting me know about this! I don't live too far from Delaware Park, and I've always wanted to see him race. So, I'm going to try and go.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Lentenor! Run safely and well!
ReplyDeleteI agree it is good to see Kendrick Carmouche back as his jockey. He did a good job with Lentenor in the last race. :-)
Greg...drive safely tomorrow. Please let Lentenor that his fans are there to support him. Those of us who can't be there need for you to represent us by really making a lot of noise when he comes on the track. His jockey better get use to us being loud and noisey.
ReplyDeleteLenny, your big bro will be with you tomorrow. Just listen and he'll guide you. Be safe our sweet big boy.
Lou in TX
GOd speed and safe run Lentenor!!!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope his jock is ready for this, Lenty has a HUGE following!
WHat's going on with Nicanor anyway? Does anyone know??
The race today has been taken off track but Lentenor is still running.
ReplyDeleteFYI...handyman says Lentenor is 18 hands tall!!!!! That makes him taller than Zenyatta!
Lou in TX
Lentenor is 18hh??!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen is post time? Has it run yet?
-Arem
Also, any news on the newest baby?? Or if LVR is pregnant again?
ReplyDeleteGo Lentenor! May the spirit of our beloved Barbaro be with you today and guide you home safely, hopefully first. Good luck, my friend. P.S, is there any news about La Ville Rouge? And Babynor?
ReplyDelete~American Quail Lover
3rd.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe he got boxed in?? I lost track of him in the bend. They were all bunched in pretty close, it seemed?
-Arem
Looks like he was stuck on the rail too long. These brothers don't like it on the rail. Don't think he liked the dirt either. At least he came in 3rd and safely home. Even brought in a little money. Good for you Lenny!!! We love you soo much!!
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
American Quail Lover...no news on Babynor2 or LVR. Wish we could have some new pictures.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
Alright, Llnay, thanks. He didn't like the dirt . . . he looked very uncomfortable . . . he isn't a dirt runner, it seems. Third is good too, but he never truly kicked into gear. Had the race been on the turf, would've been different? We all love him. No doubt he still has some races left in him. Could the distance have played a factor?
ReplyDelete~American Quail Lover
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/DEL/2011/8/23/8/race-8
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to the Race for those that might want it.
Shiloh63
Rachel Alexandras stalemate and lookin at luckys half brother, Kensei, was euthanized today when he broke down after a gallop. There is an article on bloodhorse, may he RIP.
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
Hi!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Lentenor finishing a third which is "in the money!"
Lots of love to you, Lentenor!
So happy to see you racing again.
Lise from Maine
Hi!
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "claiming optional race?"
Does that mean that someone can purchase
Lentenor?
I hope not!
He is "safe" with Mr and Mrs. Jackson and should stay with them. They treat their horses with respect and love.
Lise from Maine
In an optional claiming race, its optional whether or not you put a tag on them. There were 4 also eligibles in Lennys race that had tags I believe. The majority of the field did not, and I don't think there will ever be a tag on any of the brothers.
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
Thank you for the updates!! A quick turnaround from his last race, but a nice effort off the turf for 3rd. Looks like maybe he got a little tired?
ReplyDeleteIt seems unlikely that Lentenor is 18 hands tall. 17 hands is very tall, 18 hand race horses are rare, probably the success of keeping a horse that size sound to race would be small, unfortunately. My guess is he is about 16 hands because he does not appear to be towering over the other horses or bigger than Zenyatta or First Dude. Perhaps Greg knows how tall he is?
Here is a picture that was posted on the Preakness fanpage on Facebook today, a great picture of Margano, training for the first time on turf, looking fantastic!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150293317378118&set=a.288759418117.145772.90952903117&type=1&theater
-Artemisnarts
I won't argue the point but a handler that has worked with Lentenor since he went to Fair Hill as a 2yr old, was the one who said he was 18 hands. I would rather not disagree with someone who has worked with him for years and obviously knows him very well. You are certainly allowed your opinion though.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
Artemisnarts: thanks for sharing the link! :)
ReplyDelete-Arem
Thank you for the picture of Margano working on the grass! He is as beautiful as his big brothers!
ReplyDeleteFor a second race back after a very long layoff and not run on his preferred surface, Lentenor did just fine.
Hopefully he will do even better in his next start as his fitness level increases with each race. :-)
I wouldn't doubt that lentenor is 18 hh, Barbaro was apparently around 17.2 hh at the beginning of his 3 year old campaign, and if that was true, then he would've matured at over 18 hh.
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
Jiminy Cricket.....I was just responding to Artemisnarts comment about Lentenor not being 18 hh. I think Greg got the same info I did from Handyman. Was on ABR site.
ReplyDeleteI love your name. It's as cute as Tinker Bell.
Lou in TX
Hope all of the horses around the NY area will be ok with the hurricane coming. Worried about those at Belmont(Margano)Saratogo and Monmouth. Plus all the rescue farms. Think Fair Hill will not get a direct hit but may have lots of rain.
ReplyDeleteGreg and all u FOB's in the area please take cover and be well stocked with food, water and food for your pets. Plse let us know how you fair through this hurricane.
Lou in TX
Lou In Texas,
ReplyDeleteI know, I was just saying that I would not doubt that he was 18 hh, even though he doesn't look it in pictures. I got my name from my real life gelding who we found out last week has laminitis. :(
Jiminy Cricket
Jiminy Cricket...so sorry to hear about the laminitis. If you can check into stem cell therapy. It has saved a few horses. My heart goes out ot you. Hope you can get some help for him.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
I doubt we could afford it, my mom went and looked at the newest set of xrays yesterday, because he got a corrective shoe put on Thursday. she said that it was looking better, the big problem is he has no hoof sole and the blood flow isn't getting to the bottom of his foot. My vet has told us over and over that he is a miracle horse, and he has apparently had it for quite a while, and he's been jumping up to 3'3". He was prey badly abused before, and the only reason we ever found it was because he got a nail in his other foot. He's on average a 1250 lb horse and only getting 1 gram of bute w day and he's barely lame, so we're hoping for the best. I'll keep you posted, if I could post a picture of him I would.:)
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
JC...would love to see a pic of him. I'll keep him in my prayers. Just hate that ole' laminitis!! Thank goodness for the nail. Keep up with the positive attitude, he feels your energy. Maybe he will feed off that.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
I can get a pic up of him on lentenors fb page :). For anyone who wants to see him, he was soo sweet this morning besides busting me with his head (nothing unusual). You cant tell he's in that much pain, he's got w very positive attitude.
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
It's up on lenny's page now.:) it was taken like in April or May, I don't remember when we got him.
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
Hi Jiminy Cricket,
ReplyDeleteIn an optional claiming race, does it mean that
the owners of the horse place a "tag" on their horse or does it mean that someone else places a tag on a particular horse?
Is a tag placed prior to a race?
Thank you!
Lise from Maine
Hi!
ReplyDeleteWhen is Lentenor going to race again?
What about Nicanor? What has happened to him?
Anyone know?
Thank you!
Lise from Maine
The owner makes the decision to put a tag on the horse.:)
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
FYI,
ReplyDeleteMargano had a work this morning on the fast dirt track at Saratoga, going four furlongs in :48.34.
Could his first race be coming up this weekend at Saratoga? Stay tuned...
Also, regarding Nicanor. He is on vacation, first time in his life enjoying just being a horse. Nothing wrong with him at all, mentally or physically, just getting a well deserved break.
Lentenor looked extremely uncomfortable on the dirt. It clearly is not his prefered surface. Guess the trainer had to find out for herself that he doesn't like dirt. I dont think we will see him in anymore off the turf races.
ReplyDeleteNo disrespect to anyone but, There is no way that Lentenor is 18hh, No way. Barbaro was 17 hh not 17.2, Dynaformer is 17hh, Unbridleds Song is 17.1 as was Eight Belles. 17 hands is HUGE. In my estimation Lentenor is between 16.3 and 17.1, 18 hands is ENORMOUS. Six ft at the withers.. that's a long way down.
Criminal Type
Criminal Type..we're just going by someone that worked with him before being sent to his new trainer. I really wouldn't want to call this person a lier but I would think they should know just how tall he really is. With no disrespect to your opinion.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
Im going up to Fair Hill in two weeks to see Union Rags. I will try to find out how tall Lenny is. If he's 18 hands I will admit Im wrong, but I doubt I am. Have any of you ever seen an 18 hand horse in person?
ReplyDeleteHave any of you seen the pic of Union Rags in the barn at Fair Hill on facebook. His physicaly resemblance to Barbaro is uncanny. It was like Deja Vu with a white face and socks. I got a chill down my spine. Michael has a new star in his stable.
I don't want to discredit anyone at all, but perhaps there was some miscommunication and information got mixed up?
ReplyDeleteI am only questioning the information, not the sources, but 18 hands would be noticeable in a race- most thoroughbreds are about 16 hands, 17 is very tall and 15 is on the smaller side like Mine that Bird and Smarty Jones. MTB and Smarty were noticeably smaller and they were only about a hand shorter than most of the other horses. Barbaro looks to be the tallest of the brothers but that is only my observation and I can only hope to be fortunate enough to see them race in person. 2 full hands, 8 inches taller than the rest of the horses... would just be an anomaly.
Zenyatta wasn't raced until she was older because she needed time to grow into her big frame, how they had to manage her career carefully because of her size. Being that tall would have much more impact on Lentenor and would be mentioned more often. In my search in trying to find how tall Lentenor is, I came across this discussion thread on the tallest race horses which I thought was itneresting: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Tallest_racehorse_ever
Artemis
Artemis, Yes, exactly my point. If you watch the 09 Breeders Cup Classic, pay attention to the horses entering the first turn, when Zenyatta is running beside Mine That Bird. The difference in their sizes is remarkable. Mine That Bird is 15.2 or 15.3 if I remember correctly, Zenyatta is I think 17.1 or 17.2. Im with you, someone got their wires crossed.I always pay close attntion to horses in the post parade and never noticed Lentenor being taller then his competition. No way is Lentenor taller then Zenyatta.
ReplyDeleteDearnhardtrlz3....while you're at Fair Hill maybe you can talk to a lady by the name of Nancy ( think she's a red head). She works in Matz's barn and has worked with the brothers for as long as they were there. She should be able to answer any questions you have regarding the boys. Very nice person. Greg knows her personally. She has been at the races with both Nicanor and Lentenor. Please get some good pictures of the horses. Don't forget And Why Not. She's racing today at Saratoga. Another one of MM's good horses.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
Lou, I am Criminal Type(Kim). I know about And Why Not, She was a 775K auction purchase last year I remember when she went through the ring thinking how gorgeous she was. I am trying to coordinate my trip up there. Its only about an hour away but I will certainly try to contact Nancy (im a redhead too) and I wouldn't think of going up there without my camera. I am also working on Graham Motions people (Toby's Corner, Animal Kingdom, Shared Account), Larry Jones (Havre De Grace) He has a couple 2 yr olds by Hard Spun in his barn too. If im going, I might as well do it all, it's a once in a lifetime kind of thing. Thanks for the info LOU !
ReplyDeleteCriminal Type...I sooooo envy you. Being that I live so far from the east coast, it is almost impossible for me to make that trip. I just live for information on the whole family and pictures. I would love to go back to KY and this time go to Lexington. Spent 5 days in Louisville and at Church Hill Downs. Barbaro's statue is amazing. Know you will have a blast. Be sure and write us about it when you get back.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI am eager to see Margano race his first race
which should be coming up soon.
I will watch on TVG so I am eagerly awaiting the announcement of his first race.
Hopefully, we get advance notice on this blog.
Thank you!
Lise from Maine
Lenny is entered on the 10th in the Japan racing association stakes. Nothing I really recognized in the field at a glance. He is at 118 lbs, which is the lowest the weights go, but most of the horses are carrying it. Can't figure out distance/surface, although I'm sure it's around 1 mile on the turf
ReplyDeleteJiminy Cricket
Jiminy Cricket...yes Lenny is scheduled to run Saturday but it has been taken off the turf because of all the rain they are having in Maryland. I am certainly hoping they will scratch him for he certainly does not like running on dirt much less in mud. You saw that in his last race where he came in 3rd. Some of the other horses have already been scratched. And it doesn't show who the jockey is suppose to be. On dirt it will be a one turn race at 1 mile, I think. On the turf it would have been 1 1/8, I believe. If someone knows different please feel free to jump in! Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
FYI....Lentenor has been scratched from the race Sat. YEA!!! He doesn't like the dirt or mud. We'll probably see him at Belmont.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX
Glad Lentenor was scratched for this weekend's race considering that he does't seem to care for dirt or mud. Let's hope the weather out on the east coast improves and things start to dry out for both horses and humans!
ReplyDeleteCheck out Greg's new entry on Lentenor not racing. You'll love the video's and pictures. Just posted this morning.
ReplyDeleteLou in TX