The Debut of Margano

Margano, Barbaro's two year old brother, will be making his debut tomorrow at Belmont Park.  His first race will be on the turf going 1 1/16 miles, a surface that his older brothers have had great success on, with Barbaro winning his debut race going a mile on the turf at Delaware Park, Nicanor winning his turf debut by over 15 lengths at Delaware Park, and Lentenor winning second time running on the turf at Gulfstream Park. 


Am I a little surprised that Margano's debut will be at this distance?  Quite frankly, yes, but, here is a quote by Robin Smullen (assistant trainer to Mr. Barclay Tagg, Margano's trainer) that explains their thinking on why to race Margano tomorrow at 1 1/16 miles, "He’s physically ready to run, he’s had a lot of works, he’s mentally not quite ready, but you have to start somewhere, we were considering the six-furlong turf race next week, but Barclay and I talked about it and we felt that might run him off his feet.  He’s bred to go long, and I just think maybe he can settle a little bit and try to make a run and see where we are and hopefully we’ll get him to where he’s mentally ready." (courtesy of DRF.com)


So, after fourteen impressive work-outs at Belmont Park and Saratoga, including four gate works, one turf work at Saratoga, and a blow-out this morning at Belmont Park (Margano went three furlongs in 36:71), Margano is as ready as he will ever be for his debut.  Tomorrow cannot arrive quick enough for myself, and I am sure, for all the Fans of Barbaro and his brothers.  While I am extremely nervous as the race nears, I have complete confidence that Mr. Barclay Tagg and his team have Margano physically ready to go.  One must remember, a win isn't necessarily of the utmost importance tomorrow.  Margano will be learning so much in a matter of just a few minutes as post time approaches.  From the walk to the paddock (where he is quite familiar, since Belmont Park is his home), to the post parade, the crowd noise, the large field loading into the gate, and the experience of traveling over a mile on the Belmont turf.  A lot to take in for a two year old colt, I would say.  With that said, based on his works and bloodlines, a win would not shock me at all, just not expecting it. 


For the first time in a race involving one of Barbaro's brothers, I decided not to look at the field in the race at all.  I decided that I am going to enjoy the race with no preconceived notions regarding the other colts, I will say, this was not easy for me to do!  I did notice that the pedigrees of the colts running are second to none, and the connections involved (breeders, owners, trainers) are all top notch in their respective fields.


Seeing Margano up close and personal for the first time is something that I have waited for, and, I cannot believe this day has finally arrived.  The race tomorrow will be the seventeenth time I have seen Barbaro and/or one of his brothers race in person, but, this will be my first seeing a debut by one of them, which I believe adds to my extra, nervous excitement!  Most importantly, I just want all to run a safe race, and for each colt to gain that experience that is so vital for two year olds. 



Here is the field for tomorrows race, the last race of the day, race #10, post time is about 5:50, which will be the race following a Winter Memories victory in the Garden City Stakes (Grade I) !!!

P.P.      Horse                                 Jockey                          Trainer                           M/L Odds

1. Five Sixteen                               J. Sanchez                    D. Schettino                          8-1

2. Deo Goes Rocky                       K. Singh                       R. Persaud                          50-1

3. Which Market                           G. Gomez                     K. McLaughlin                      8-1
4. Rock Harder                             A. Garcia                      N. Howard                          10-1

5. Powerofone                               E. Castro                     W. Mott                                6-1

6. Minestone                                  K. Desormeaux            D. Romans                            8-1

7. Margano                                    Jose Lezcano                Barclay Tagg                         6-1

8. Dendrite                                     I. Ortiz, Jr.                    D. Donk                              15-1

9. Our Entourage                            J. Castellano                 T. Pletcher                             7-2

10. Political Courage                       Joe Bravo                    Michael Matz                       12-1

11. Gold Megillah                            A. Solis                       G. Motion                              5-1

12. News Pending                           D. Cohen                     D. Romans                           15-1

Also Eligibles:

13. Knock Rock                             D. Cohen                      S. Schwartz                         4-1

14. Awesome's Eleven                    K. Desormeaux             D. Stewart                           8-1

15. Shkspeare Shaliyah                   J. Castellano                  D. Shivmangal                      9-2

16. Yonder 'tis (MTO)                    A. Solis                         M. Hennig                            6-1

*For those not able to attend or see the race on TV, here is a link to see the race live on your computer.  Click on the link, then find and click on Belmont Park in lower right corner.
 
YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED 30 MINUTES OF FREE VIDEO, THE RACE GOES OFF ABOUT 5:50, SO REMEMBER THIS!

Link: http://espn.youbet.com/?utm_campaign=MustSeeBelSwps&utm_medium=ESPbanner&utm_source=YBESP


Margano back in April

 



Nicanor, Lentenor, and Margano (far right)

Lentenor, Nicanor, Margano, and Barbaro

Godspeed Margano...

Lentenor Scratched, Will Race Again Very Soon...

Good morning,


Just wanted everyone to know, Lentenor will be scratched from today's race at Laurel Park. 



Lentenor was entered to run in the $75,000 Japan Racing Association Stakes today at Laurel Park, a race originally to be run on the turf at 1 1/16 miles.  Due to all the rain we have received here on the east coast the last few weeks, the race was taken off the turf and placed onto the main dirt track at a distance of one mile.  I believe the dirt main track is still not ideal for Lentenor to run on, and, hence the reason for the upcoming scratch.  The Jackson's have been very patient in Lentenor's return, and, I commend the Delacour's for making this decision not to have Lentenor run today. 


Look for Lentenor to have his next race within the next two weeks at Belmont Park. 


Who knows?  Maybe, just maybe, we will get to see Lentenor and his big little brother Margano race at Belmont Park on the same day?  Not saying that will happen, just saying there is a possibility, stay tuned :)


People have been asking about Nicanor and what is going on with him?  My friend Elaine pointed me to this article in the Pennsylvania Equestrian Newspaper, which has a nice article on the Delacour's and mentions Nicanor and Lentenor. 


A quote regarding Nicanor: "Nicanor has won four times, but in July he was evaluated at New Bolton Center and the recommendation was for three months rest.  If all goes well the 5-year old horse could be racing later in the Fall".



Here is a link to the article (starts on page 14, then continues on page 37):


http://www.pennsylvaniaequestrian.com/issues/sept2011/page14.php


http://www.pennsylvaniaequestrian.com/issues/sept2011/page37.php



Finally, my apology, I thought I had posted these photos and videos from Lentenor's third place finish back on August 23rd.  They never posted, they were in a saved draft.  Here they are, I did screw up and had my camera on the wrong setting, that is why they aren't as clear as they normally are, sorry!






Photos and videos from Delaware Park on August 23, 2011: