Saturday, June 16, 2012

Margano and Lentenor Racing Today...


Both brothers will be racing today in Stakes races...


Lentenor and Margano





Margano will be going in the $150,000 Grade III Hill Prince Stakes (race #8) at Belmont Park, post time is about 4:34, Junior Alvarado gets the mount. 

Lentenor will be racing tonight at Colonial Downs in the $50,000 Da Hoss Stakes (race #5), post time is about 7:44, Luis Garcia gets the mount. 

Both brothers are the third choice in the morning line odds, with both races came up with very talented fields!  Each of their races have fields of ten, with Margano breaking from the two hole and Lentenor breaking from the four hole.  Also, both are coming of second place finishes at Belmont park in their last races.  Margano came in second back on May 20th in the Tiller Stakes and Lentenor finished second on May 19th in a Allowance race.  Totally expect both to have huge efforts today, and it would not surprise me in the least to see both in the winner's circle!  Fingers crossed...


Little brother Marganos's race...

m1-1.jpg



Three year old Margano will be going for his second win in five starts later today, and his first attempt in a Graded Stakes race.  If he were to win, he would be close to $150,000 in earning's in just five starts.  Talk about a solid, talented field of three year old colts, this is it!  Margano will have his hands full facing the likes of Summer Front and Howe Great.  Love the fact Margano is getting a little more distance after his freshener last out at seven furlong's.  Both turf specialist's, Summer Front and Howe Great, look to return to their winning ways on the turf.  Summer Front is unbeaten on the turf with a record of 3-0, including wins in the King Cugat Stakes and Dania Beach Stakes.  Howe Great is 3-1 on the turf, with a 3rd last out in the American Turf Stakes, and victories in the Palm Beach Stakes (Grade III) and Kitten's Joy Stakes. 

For Margano to win (he might need a longer race), he will need a quick/clean break, a trouble free trip, and a chance to open his long stride in the stretch.  He also needs to change leads at the correct time in the stretch, as he is still learning the game and has a tendency to not change leads when he is so asked.  With that all said, going with Margano to get his first Stakes victory, and first Graded Stakes win for a full brother of the great Barbaro. 



Belmont Park

$150,000 Hill Prince Stakes (Grade  III, Race 8, 4:34 p.m.) 3-Year-Olds, One Mile, Turf

PP  Horse  Jockey  Wgt  Trainer  Odds

1 Summer Front  R A Dominguez  120  C Clement  7-2
2 Margano  J Alvarado  116  B Tagg  5-1
3 Big Screen  R Maragh  116  T Albertrani  15-1
4 Film Shot   E S Prado 116  W I Mott  15-1
5 Spring to the Sky  M J Luzzi  116  B R Brown  6-1
6 Mr. Handsome  E D Rodriguez  116  T J Tullock Jr  12-1
7 Shkspeare Shaliyah  C H Velasquez  120  D Shivmangal  -1
8 Our Entourage  E Castro  116  T A Pletcher  6-1
9 Howe Great  A Garcia  123  H G Motion  3-1
10 Star Channel  J Bravo  120  T A Pletcher  6-1



Photos I took of Margano last race at Belmont Park on May 20th:






DSC04263.jpg

marganoramon.jpg

Margano5.jpg

DSC04279.jpg

Margano6.jpg

m1-1.jpg

Margano7.jpg

Margano2.jpg

Margano3.jpg


Godspeed Margano...

Replay of Margano's race:







Big brother Lentenor's race...


DSC03107.jpg


Five year old Lentenor will be making his 15th start of his career (3rd of 2012) tonight at Colonial Downs in the $50,000 Da Hoss Stakes.  Luis Garcia will have the mount in this one mile test on the inner turf, they will be breaking from the four hole in the field of ten.  Post time is about 7:44, and it is race #5 on the card.  Lentenor looks to be primed and ready for the challenge, coming off a solid second place finish last out at Belmont Park on May 19th.  Lentenor has had two works since then at Fair Hill for trainer Leigh Delacour.  This will be his first start at Colonial Downs for Lentenor, and the second time Luis Garcia has been on Lentenor, where they finished 5th back on Feb. 25 in the Grade III Tampa Bay Stakes.

A look at the race...

Just like Margano's race, Lentenor faces nine others in this talented field of older colts.  The morning line favorite is the Graham Motion trained five year old gelding, Slew's Answer.  Racing in just his tenth career start, and coming off a third place finish back in April at Tampa in the Turf Classic, I think is very vulnerable here.  I am more worried about Action Andy and Followmyfootsteps.  Action Andy is in better form right now, but Followmyfootsteps won this race last year in a photo finish with Action Andy.  Followmyfootsteps, a eight year old Giant's Causeway gelding, is my outside shot at winning since he is one for one on the turf at Colonial Downs.  Action Andy, a five year old Gators N Bears gelding, is about as consistent as they come.  A starter of twenty four races, he has hit the top three twenty times and is coming off a third place finish at Pimlico in the Maryland Sprint back on May 19.  He has raced at Colonial Downs six times, with two wins and three seconds. 

Just like Margano's race, let's hope Lentenor and Luis get a good start, and Lentenor can stalk Action Andy the whole race, since he will be your front runner trying to take it gate to wire.  Just hope Lentenor reaches down and runs lights out to get past Action Andy at the wire!  So, Lentenor at the wire, with Action Andy and Followmyfootsteps finishing out your top three, fingers crossed!


Some recent photos of Lentenor, taken within the last month at Fair Hill (thanks Dewey!):


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Lentenor3.jpg

Lentenor2.jpg

LennyMemorialday.jpg


Godspeed Lentenor...


 

417 comments:

  1. The pictures are wonderful, Greg. I am glad to hear from you again. Welcome back. Margano defiantly has a hard race ahead of him, but I think he can do it.

    ~AQL

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  2. Glad to have you back Greg, I was starting to get worried. Great pictures, worth the wait! How did he look up close and personal? I think off of marganos last effort, he could win going away, given the chance. Lentenor also has a chance to win, but marganos last race was more impressive. I hope to see wins from them both, and if they step ul from their last start, they could both get it done.
    Jiminy Cricket

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    1. Thanks Jiminy :)

      Margano is very impressive up close, not as tall as his bigger brother's, but in great shape and has a very calm demeanor. I don't know if he will win going away facing the likes of Summer Front and Howe Great, but, he stands a very good chance of winning if he can run his race and get a clean trip! He needs to get clear in the stretch, and have a chance to lengthen his big stride. I hope he also changes leads correctly today, as he is still learning the game and still runs a little green.

      Lentenor's race will be tougher for him to win, but, he still has a good chance if he feels like running tonight. Slew's Answer will be very tough to beat! Along with Action Andy and Followmyfootsteps, this could easily be a Graded Stakes race.

      Just hope all run safe...

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  3. I agree, Jiminy. Margano especially has a good chance. How is/ was your vacation with your friend? Elliot's left foreleg, the one that he broke twice(sesamoid fractures) is full of fluid and swollen. It happens every few years if the weather stays dry for a long time during the spring or summer season. He's sound though, so my mom wants me to ride him. I'd rather give him time off until the swelling goes down.

    ~AQL

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  4. My friends good, we are sitting out here tanning. My dad complains when I wear shorts, he says my legs blind him!!! Would give Elliot time off too. When I have a horse slightly off, loose shoe, missing shoe, or swelling, i like to give them time off. You could just make it worse by riding. Greg, i was thinking Margano was a bit shorter and stockier, but hes also younger, he will continue growing til around 6. I think, if Margano is on his game, he can win easy. Remember, he beat silver max going away, the last horse to even beat him. Several of these horses finished far behind silver max. Lentenor, if he brings his a game, should win, just maybe not as impressive or easy. My opinion, they should both get shakes wins today, and also, the added distance will help Margano.
    Jiminy cricket
    P.s. i agree about the leads and him being green, I noticed that first time watching his lasy race. Any news on nick?

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    1. Jiminy, Yes, Margano will continue to grow and agree, if he is on his game, he has a huge shot at pulling out the victory! Agree that beating the turf beast that is Silver Max was huge, and shows what Margano is capable of doing! Silver Max has won 6/7 races since, his only defeat is when he went off the turf and finished 5th in the Holy Bull.

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  5. Silver max is 6-6 this year..i don't think he went off the turf, or at least that's what I thought. Maybe BH said he was 6-6 on turf. Anyone know how I can watch online? This is killing me!!! Lol
    Jiminy Cricket

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    Replies
    1. Silver Max attempted the dirt in the Holy Bull back in Jan. at Gulfstream, where he tired badly and finished 5th. The last time he will be on the dirt :)

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  6. Try TVG.com. Now, good luck, Margano. Howe Great has me concerned as does Summer Font, but if Margano is in good form, I think he'll give them a good view of his tail.

    ~AQL

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  7. Ten minutes to post, Margano looks great! Currently at 14-1 odds, wow...

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  8. Can't makean account and you gotta have one to watch. I tried hrtv too, belmont has an audio feed, but its not doing anything, at least not right now on my phone.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  9. Audio is working!

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  10. I can not think of anything else right now....I'm sorry. Margano's odds were at 8-1 or something like that this morning...

    ~AQL

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  11. 3rd or 4th? How much did summer front win by? Details?
    Jiminy Cricket

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  12. Margano got up for 4th.

    Slow break, and 2nd last most of the race. On the rail, he made up some ground, but, traffic was a huge problem in the stretch run. Once he got a chance to lengthen his stride, he was awesome. A little more distance and he will get that Graded Stakes victory. Just frustrating he got the slow break and hit traffic. Summer Front, Howe Great, Film Shot, then Margano. Very proud of Margano today :)

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  13. Margano just missed third by a nose...

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  14. Third. He got third! If he had had more room sooner, he would've won. He got boxed in, and he still did wonderful I'm proud of him.

    ~AQL

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  15. Woops, pardon my error. I thought he got up for third.

    ~AQL

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  16. Just beaten by 1 1/2 lengths to the winner Summer Front, very impressive considering the traffic and break.

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  17. Indeed it was. Next time, he'll get them.

    ~AQL

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  18. Thanks guys! Sounds like he didst get much of a chance to run, but it also sounds like he did great! Now time to wait for Lenny.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  19. Published video replay up above of Margano's race :)

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  20. He easily could have won that had he ever had a chance to really run.... he was going faster than summer front was at the end. Why must the bros *almost* always draw bad and het into traffic problems??
    Jiminy Cricket

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  21. Margano looked great. I do think that he looks like he needs more ground, though.

    Next month's grade II Virginia Derby at 10 furlongs might be perfect for him - and yes, he does belong with that class of colts. :-) Hopefully if Tagg nominates him he can draw into the field and get a decent post position.

    If he does as well at 10 furlongs in graded company as I suspect he will (I truly think he will hit the board if he gets the chance to run in the race and gets at all a decent trip) then next would be the grade I 10 furlong Secretariat for 3yo colts at Arlington...

    And after that the fall turf classics in New York against older where he would get a nice break in the weights...

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  22. He defiantly would've won. His maiden win was in a race that was over a mile. He should probably try nine furlongs next. Clearly, he had plenty left, but sadly, the others all bunched around him like, well, a traffic jam. My dad, who never believed that Margano would amount to much after seeing his last performance at Gulfstream with Edgar, admitted that he was wrong about Margano. That says something right there, because my dad is not one to change his opinion. I am so proud of Margano. He ran his heart out and did it just like Dynaformer and Barbaro.

    ~AQL

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  23. My dad just likes to bug me, I seem to get attached to bad luck horses like memories, the bros, and lucky, so he's always like, why are all your horses so bad? When his favorite golfer did terrible, I was like, why are all your golfers so bad? Lol Margano definietely had some left in the tank. GIVE HIM MORE THAN 1/16 TO RUN!!!
    Jiminy Cricket

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  24. I agree with you regarding Margano's distance! My dad is into basketball and such, but since his teams, those of Detroit, Michigan, rarely do bad, I cannot strike back. The best I have done is defend the brothers, so now, it is all paying off. I look forward to seeing where Margano is racing next time. His last two races have been at Belmont, so I wonder if a change of track is in order.

    ~AQL

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  25. He's based at belmont.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  26. Added some recent photos of Lentenor, just thirty minutes to post time...

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  27. Where can I watch Lentenor's race? TVG is not broadcasting it.

    ~AQL

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  28. Six minutes to post, Lentenor looks lathered up and a little antsy, hope it means nothing...

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    Replies
    1. Where are you watching it? Maybe it's the heat?

      ~AQL

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  29. Lentenor got checked maybe five times, and finished 5th.

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  30. Oh..thanks for the update, Greg...both our boys got awful trips, but finished heroically.

    ~AQL

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  31. Lentenor looked to break cleanly, was traveling nice, ran into some traffic with others slowing his momentum. Looked like Luis had to check him many times during the race. Safe race though...

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    1. Thank goodness it was a safe race.

      ~AQL

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  32. Yup, both bros end up with bad trips.-.- how did gd finish? Poor Lenny and Margano, at least Margano never had to check and was just boxed all the way. Still sucks, though.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  33. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see them get more good trips than bad ones?!

    Daffodil

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  34. Yes it would, but I'm not sure its gonna happen. For some reason, just like lucky, they either get a horrid post, or run into tons of trouble.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  35. I think that they could better manage a poor post position then getting boxed in or checked. But we'll see. I think that they need a consistent jockey like how Barbaro had Edgar.

    ~AQL

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  36. Delighted you are back, Greg... LOL to all the fans of Barbaro's Bros

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  37. Hey, Cam. How's it going? What do you think of the brothers' most recent races?

    ~AQL

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  38. Glad they are both safe, and good to see you posting again, Greg!

    -Arem

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  39. Yes, they are both safe, and that is the most important thing, but they are racehorses and their objective is to win, and with the shuffling of jockeys and the bad racing luck they keep coming up against, winning is growing more and more elusive, at least for the two older brothers. I believe Margano will be winning Stakes races sooner rather than later -- and I am positive his 4yo season and beyond are going to get better and better. He's a very, very talented young horse and is beginning to be talked about by the racing commentators and writers.

    Daf

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  40. Here is a link to Lentenor's replay:

    Lentenor Replay!

    Also, if you watch the whole replay, at the 4:06 mark you will notice Luis Garcia standing without Lentenor, looks like Lentenor unseated Luis as they were going back to be unsaddled.

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  41. Yes, the bros need a consistent jock. I wonder why Edgar stepped off nicanor (or never even rode him) because I just finished my guy Barbaro, and he says he felt like nicanor was meant for him, because his uncle was named nicanor. I also wonder why he stepped off Margano after one race. Luis is fairly constant on Lenny.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  42. HOWEVER, the FOBs who were in attendance at Colonial yesterday are reporting that a horse dumped his jockey and was loose on the track after the race and two outriders got hold of him to bring him in and they believe it was Lentenor...they also report that Lenny was very lathered up and antsy appearing before the race yesterday. I hope Lentenor is all right...

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  43. I just finished reading my guy Barbaro, and apparently Barbaro would kick out and bite until his saddle was tight, and Edgar was on him. Nicanor also tends to get worked up in the padlock, so its probably a family trait. Any news on nick? I'm starting to worry...
    Jiminy Cricket

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  44. It's been confirmed by another FOB at Colonial yesterday that it WAS Lentenor who got loose and was romping on the track. She heard it on the outrider's radio. Hope Lenny's all right.

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  45. I bet he was just having a bit of fun! Luis was definitely standing by the rail!
    Jiminy Cricket

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  46. Oh my God....Lentenor.....Clearly, someone wanted to run around and have fun. I'm glad that he and Lucas are alright.

    ~AQL

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  47. Thanks for the updates with all the great photos, Greg. I keep hoping these guys are going to get a clear trip and win one of these days, but they are staying safe and sound so that is what matters the most. Although a win would still be nice - lol!

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  48. Lentenor was out of sorts yesterday from all in-person reports. After the race, he wanted to lose that guy on his back and go have some fun, so he did! Just so thankful he came back safe and sound.

    Daffodil

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  49. Watched both races, and glad that both Margano and Lentenor are okay. Has there been an update on Nicanor since his last race?

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  50. Sadly, there is no update on Nicanor.

    ~AQL

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  51. [quote]Yes it would, but I'm not sure its gonna happen. For some reason, just like lucky, they either get a horrid post, or run into tons of trouble.[/unquote]

    This is true for many (if not most) race horses. So many victories/losses depend on a post position, a clean trip, and split second decisions by jockeys in traffic.

    Very few are talented enough and consistent enough to regularly win at any level - and those are the ones who will end up as our champions when at the top level and end up as "people's champions" on lower levels (such as Rapid Redux and other beloved sound hard knockers).

    You can see this operating even with very high level graded tsakes runners such as Lookin at Lucky and Union Rags. They get a good trip they can win a grade I. Bad post position or traffic and they do not do as well. And these are colts any owner or trainer would be ecstatically happy to have in their stables.

    Take a look sometime at the starts in the Kentucky Derby by Seattle Slew and Union Rags. The two starts are nearly identical with the squeezing from both sides and the dropping back. Seeing what happens to the two colts thereafter pretty much defines the difference between "great" and "pretty good". (Not to say that Union Rags will not go on to develop further and become a champion in the future. That is still up in the air).

    For Lentenor it is frustrating at times. When things go his way he can set a track record. But they never seem to go his way in a stakes race...hopefully he will get to run a good race in a stakes race one of these days...

    I think Margano has a bit more tactical speed than either Nicanor or Lentenor, and this will help him over time. No question he will be a stakes runner, and that he will be hitting the board in some big races in the future. Tagg is doing a great job bringing him along slowly and sanely, and this will hopefully ensure he will have a long, successful, and sound career.

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  52. These are 3 horses that seem to be constantly plagued by bad posts/trips/rides. It's frustrating when I follow 3 horses this closely, and they cant seem to get a good trip. UR gets bad trips, but hes also had some perfect trips. Rachel maybe had 1-3 bad trips out of 21? starts. Zenyatta rarely had a bad trip. Some things are not the jockeys fault, they are just racing luck. some horses are plagued by bad post position luck, such as lucky, the bros seem to have that same bad post position luck. Not every horse out there has CONSTANT bad luck, and as far as I'm concerned, its rare that the bros get a clean trip, meaning their bad luck is pretty constant. How many times have the bros drawn the 1 hole? The 2 hole? I seem to remember that 1 cloth a ton. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but i think probably 75% of the time they are in the 1, 2, or 3, although not as much the 3. I still don't like the 4, I prefer them in 6, 7, 8, or 9. It's just very frustrating that they can't seem to get a decent trip in. Margano is a lot like winter memories, when he gets to use it, hes got an amazing late kick. But it seems like whenever he gets to use it finally, its too late, and he's got too much to make up. I'm sorry,but i think these brothers have worse luck than most horses.
    Jiminy cricket

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  53. I am starting to worry about what's going on with nick.....
    Jiminy Cricket

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  54. I agree,Jiminy. Our boys have bad luck, but one day, they will get good trips and win. It's just a matter of time. I, too, am getting worried about Nicanor.

    ~AQL

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  55. Luis was on Lenny in December when Lentenor broke the track record. Luis has been on him 2x since then, with less than stellar results. Edgar Prado was on Nicanor for his debut race when he grabbed his quarter, and Edgar was shaken up by that and reluctant to ride any of the brothers at all afterwards (the Barbaro aftermath). The brothers need to find jockeys who listen to them as much as guide them -- but frankly, until they have better racing luck, that maybe won't happen. Nicanor is being deliberated over -- trying to decide his future. We are now awaiting word about how Lentenor fared after his Colonial Downs adventure.
    Daffodil

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  56. Thanks for the update on Nicanor, Daffodil. We were growing worried about him. Let us know how Lentenor fared from his "Colonial Downs adventure."

    ~AQL

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  57. Linay reports that Leigh Delacour says they (Nic and Len) are both just fine.

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  58. Glad to hear about nick, I wonder what happened when Edgar rode Margano that made him not want to ride him again? Part of me hopes they retire nick, and part of me hopes they give him a few more chances.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  59. Thank god Nicanor and Lentenor are alright. Nicanor NEEDS to run in the front, otherwise he refuses to really run. He was stellar with Rosie on him.

    ~AQL

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  60. I agree AQL, I wonder why rosie quite riding him? They need to find jockeys these horses get along with.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  61. I too would like to see Rosie ride Nicanor again.
    But it's not like they have a choice. If Rosie is riding on another track she cannot ride them. If Rosies agent likes another horse better than the brothers she will not ride them. It is like it is and there's only a very slim chance to get a consistant jockey on any horse unless the horse is very promising or has won a couple of races in near past (which isn't the case right now at least for Lentenor and Nicanor).

    I'm very glad Nicanor is alright and they are thinking about his future. Maybe he can shine again in a different job than racing.

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  62. Hi!

    Even though Lentenor and Margano didn't win, I still congratulate both of them.

    They made the effort.

    Hopefully the next time circumstances won't get in their way, and
    they will prevail.

    I wonder where the 1 year old (last full brother of Barbaro) will go in terms of a trainer in about a year?

    Love to both Lentenor and Margano.

    Lise from Maine

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  63. I wonder of the littlest brother as well. He is a beauty just like his brothers. Mr. Tagg seems to take it very slow with young horses, so I think they would be a good match.

    ~AQL

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  64. They sent Margano to Tagg, so I think they'll send the baby there, too. The delacours aren't that well known, and are still at tge bottom.they sent the 2 older, already established/started bros to the delacours, I dont think theyll send the baby brother there, i think theyll send him to an already established trainer. Remember when margano was the unknown baby? It doesnt seem very long ago, does it?
    Jiminy Cricket
    P.s. nothing against the delacours, but I think they are gonna want to give this baby every chance possible to make it to the Derby...

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  65. He is SO adorable, with those ears and those eyes that will break your heart. Cannot wait to learn what his name is going to be!! He is beautifully conformed and looks happy and alert from the photos on the MR site. I love him already!

    Daffy

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  66. No worries. Margano was the unknown baby.....it seems like it was so long ago....I wonder if the littlest brother will be tried on dirt. I wish that Margano had been.

    ~AQL

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  67. I agree AQL, he seems to run well over the dirt. And daffy, little bro is definitely gorgeous!
    I'll have another was sold to japan.... could they nor have been nice, and thought of things other than money? He could've been an AMERICAN triple crown winner, NOT Japanese, so why should they be the ones to get him?I think this was a dumb decision on their parts, and it just goes to show that all they thought about was the money.. I'm sorry if yall disagree, but its my opinion that they could've kept him in the US.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  68. I agree about IHA,

    ~AQL

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  69. Enjoyed seeing Lentenor and Margano race again. Too bad they didn't win, but when they come back safe that is all that matters.

    Kathy

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  70. Arguably, IHA will be more appreciated over in Japan that he would have been here. He'll be the king he deserves to be, and he can make his mark in history by (as I'm sure the hope is) improve Japanese racing stock. They have some neat horses over there!

    Sunday Silence didn't do too shabby over there. I think IHA will be just fine. :) (IMO. I've been following quite a few discussions on the matter)

    -Arem

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  71. I have heard a rumor that he's only going for 1 breeding season. And was Ferdinand more appreciated over there? Americans would NOT send their top stallions for dog meat. They have had plenty of our near triple crown winners, and one of our greatest racehorses, and they sent that horse to slaughter when they were through with him. I think US americans appreciate and respect our horses much more than they do. There are now protection programs to keep them from sending our greats to slaughter, and hopefully bringing them back to the us when their breeding careers are over.
    Jiminy cricket

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  72. Some of us on that other Forum think it would be wonderful if Nicanor became Lentenor's escort pony (like Lava Man is for I'll Have Another). If Nic is not going to race anymore, that would be a wonderful new "job" for him! Can you imagine what that would be like to witness?!

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  73. Jiminy, I don't think they intended for Ferdinand to go to slaughter. They apparently re-homed him with a riding school in the hope that he could have another career. Somehow, he ended up slaughtered.

    It is an unfortunate insident, but we can't doom them forever on that. Even so, horses die eventually. I do not like horse slaughter, but it exsists. The horses themselves do not know or care what will happen to their body after they are gone. As long as the death is humane....

    The USA does not always do best by their horses or race horses, either. The USA abuses horses and sends horses to slaughter in Mexico and Canada. Stallions encounter "accidents" something I hate to think about in case some of them were not exactly accidental.... Top horses can fall through the cracks everywhere.

    It sounds like horses in Japan are treated well. I've seen pictures of Japan's stallions. They look great! IHA is not doomed. They did not pay large sums for the horse just to send him to slaughter.

    It truly sounds like he will be treated like a King over there. I'd say he deserves that.

    -Arem

    PS
    On Nicanor, I hope that whenever he retires, he can stand at stud and carryout the legacy of his sire and Barbaro. Wouldn't it be exciting to watch his foals race! Perhaps some of them will make it to the Derby and beyond....

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  74. Jiminy,

    Most of the US horses who have gone to Japan have had wonderful lives.

    Ferdinand was, unfortunately, not a success at stud. The farm where he last stood found a new home and career for him - a place they thought where he would be safe and well cared for. It was the people at the new home (a riding school, IIRC) who sent him to slaughter.

    Japanese horse lovers were as horrified as his fate as we Americans were.

    If it would help you feel a bit better about the care our champions receive at the big Japanese stud farms, please check out the Three Chimneys website. They have plenty of pictures of Silver Charm at his Japanese stud farm. He is ridden everyday (just as he would have been at Three Chimneys) and is obviously very well treated with love and respect.

    Or check out how patient and kind the Japanese breeders have been with War Emblem. The worst they have threatened him with if he continues to refuse to breed mares (he is widely thought to possibly be gay)is to send him back to Kentucky.

    After what happened to Ferdinand and a champion stayer named Excellor (a horse which defeated both Seattle Slew AND Affirmed) who was sent to stand stud in Sweden and ended up being eaten (shudder) it is pretty much standard practice now to have a "buy back" clause for our bloodstock who are sent overseas. This is for when they are retired or their careers do not work out, so they can be sent back home.

    The Japanese breeders seem to be in love with the family which has produced I'll Have Another. They stand his third sire Forty Niner, they purchased his sire's dam, and have bought a grade I stakes winner from each of Flower Alley's first two crops.

    He will receive care every bit as good as he would here in America - and he will be getting the best mares in the country lined up year after year - which is lot more than can be said for our breeders.

    I have the feeling this will be Sunday Silence all over again - a young dual classic winner with a strong but not fashionable pedigree whom our breeders do not want will go to Japan and become a breed changing stallion over there. Our breeders want precocious two year old speed (watch them line up for Hansen and Union Rags!!) for the two year olds in training sales - not a stallion who did not hit his stride until age three at distances over eight furlongs sired by a stallion who was a late maturing three year whose best distance was 10 furlongs out of a mare loaded with stamina top and bottom and whose second dam was a turf marathoner.

    But the thing is - if you want to get a classic horse - and don't they all say they dream of winning the Derby?? - wouldn't you go with the stallion who has proven he can get the distance? Whose first eight sires have all sired at least one winner of a Triple Crown race? Whose dam is loaded with classic distance influences both top and bottom?

    You would think so, wouldn't you? But far too many of our breeders will go to the miler types rather than the classic types, then wonder why so few of our race horses can no longer get a distance of ground...

    ReplyDelete
  75. Ie never heard the riding school story. I would not think that you would send a retired racehorse/stallion to a riding school. Anyways, I'm not dooming them forever on it, its just something to think about. Places like three chimneys have aftercare programs for horses with any connection whatsoever to them, and they also have programs to bring US bred stallions and mares back to the US when they are done with them over there. You also have to think about it, how many Japanese fans compared to American fans doe IHA have? It's not fair to his US fans that they will never get to meet him. I also hoe nicanor is retired to stud, lava man is a gelding, and was during his racing career, or he would've gone to stud. Nicanor is not a gelding, he should go to stud, unless for some reason they Decide he has no stud value. he would need to be gelded to be a lead pony.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  76. I, too think that if they want to keep complaining about horses not getting the distances, they need to breed to the proven distance sites. But remember, they lined up for curlin. He didn't even make a start at 2, and his best distances were 1 3/16-1 1/4. I'll have another has several conformation flaws, and I hate to say it, but he doesn't have a nice looking head, all in all, he's not a looker, and American breeders want fast, and nice looking horses, and if they can get the distance, then great.
    Jiminy Cricket

    ReplyDelete
  77. FYI,

    Margano is now at Fair Hill, stabled next to his big brother Lentenor, both with the Delacour's (via Alex Brown/Facebook).

    ReplyDelete
  78. Wait, so Mr. Tagg is no longer training him? I thought he was doing a much better job w/ Margano than the delacours were doing with nic/Lenny... may be just my opinion, but he was a lot more open to US too. Not sure how much I like this.
    Jiminy Cricket

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now, I am confused. Hy would they change Margano's trainer?

      ~AQL

      Delete
  79. Great news! Leigh knew and worked La Ville Rouge when she raced! I feel calmer now.

    ~AQl

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  80. We all should respect the Jackson's for their decision in having Margano change trainer's, as we did when they made the move with Nicanor and Lentenor. While I do feel bad for Mr. Tagg and all that have worked long and hard with Margano, it is part of the business. A huge thank you to them for teaching, conditioning, and taking care of Margano every step of the way.

    Wishing nothing but the best for Margano down the road, as he is now in equine heaven(AKA Fair Hill).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suppose you're right. Greg.

      ~AQL

      Delete
  81. I contacted Robin to express my concern and condolences with the changing of trainers. She has responded and informed me of what is going on. I will not post the email due to wanting to keep her privacy, but I will tell the most important part in my own words. The Jackson's purchased a barn at Fair Hill, which is only minutes away from their home. I hope that this explains it. Also, a few of the Jacksons' horses are still with Mr. Tagg.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Hope this doesn't mean yet another change for the brothers to the new barn with yet a new trainer. What does it all mean?

    ReplyDelete
  83. No, no other change. The Jacksons didn't purchase a barn at Fair Hill. The change is that Margano is now being trained by the Delacours, and is in a stall next to Lentenor. Nicanor is retired from racing, and is in Florida, happy and healthy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am happy for nicanor, that was the right decision, I think. Will he be going to stud? I still don't understand why they moved Margano after all that Mr. Tagg did for him, mr. Tagg had him coming around into an amazing horse. I hope the delacours can keep it up, this switch almost makes me as sad as the switch from mr. Matz, but at least they aren't yanking all their horses away from mr. Tagg.
      Jiminy Cricket

      Delete
    2. That was what Robin told me.

      ~AQL

      Delete
  84. Margano ran a good race. I'm often not impressed by the brothers (although I love them to death) but Margano impressed me this time! He was closing very fast at the end.
    THRILLED they finally retired Nic. He was not winning and they wouldn't put him in the lower levels where he could've won. They should try eventing with him ;)
    As for the brothers getting bad trips, true they do often get bad luck. But a good horse can overcome that. Also, they seem to be horses that "find" trouble. Margano is still green, so I expect him to improve. He is the best of the brothers at the moment.
    As for IHA, he has conformation issues (long pasterns, etc.) and far outran his pedigree. He's also rather small. Nobody wanted to breed to him here. He will be much more valued in Jaoan. I wish he could've stay here, but he will have a better chance for success there. Maybe he'll come back in a few seasons.

    ReplyDelete
  85. As for Nicanor standing at stud, I dont think he's done enough to be a stallion. He's a gorgeous horse, but he is an allowance winner at best. He also has lentenor, margano, and babynors with the exact same pedigree to breed on Barbaro's pedigree. Breed the colts who perform best consistently.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Though I can understand your point, perhaps Nicanor could stand at stud a season and see how it goes. If it does not work, then he could take a second career.

      ~AQL

      Delete
    2. Perhaps you could try, but we'd have to wait at least 2 years (probably more) to see how his progeny perform. I also don't think they'd get much demand to breed to him. But whatever the Jacksons wish to do, its their horse ;)

      Delete
  86. There are stallions that cover as little as 1 mare a year, lol. As far as IHA, I did state he had confirmation problems, I'm not sure how small he is, but for me, hes got an ugly head. I would stand nicanor, hw would get more than 1 mare a year. Also, before he was injured, he was shaping into a good 3 yr old.
    jiminy Cricket

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I doubt Nicanor would cover many mares a year, considering his less than stellar race record. If he does stand at stud, his stud fee (should be) will probably be low in order to attract a full book of mares. There are plenty of dynaformer babies at stud. Look at Holy Grounds, (half to barbaro and bros), his record is pretty much like Nicanor. Gorgeous horse, but stands for a low fee and sired mainly polo ponies. They couldn't raise his fee because he was a half to barbaro. So Nicanor will most likely end up in a similar situation to him (maybe a little better off) .
      I don't think he'd produce much, unless he takes after his old man. La Ville's only really good foal was Barbaro. All her others are nothing like him. I think he was a one time thing. Am I making sense here? Lol

      Delete
  87. Also, think about how small Smarty and birdstone are, both around 15 hh, and birdstones foals won the '09 Derby and belmont, placing 2nd in the preakness, and 3rd in the belmont as well. I'm not sure why breeders preferred height, look at seabiscuit, he was pony sized, and war admiral wasn't far away. Lookin at lucky supposedly had long pasterns, but look how much he stood his first season for. I'm not sure why Kentucky didnt cough up the money for IHA, I sure thought three chimneys would, as much as they were behind him. It really surprises me that the us breeders offered that much less than japan. Look at Dynaformer, as well. I have heard a rumor that he's only standing 1 season in japan....not sure if its true, but whatever happens, theres nothing we can do.
    Jiminy Cricket

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Height does make a difference. A 16 hh horse will (usually) have a larger stride than a 15 hh horse.
      Where did you hear the rumor? I'd be shocked if he stood only 1 season there. I heard the Japanese payed a lot for him.
      As for Smarty and Birdstone, they are bred much better than IHA. They also became stallions in a much different economic time. They also weren't retired in their early/mid sophomore season.
      Personally, I would've sent Flower Alley to japan and given IHA a shot. But it is what it is! ;)

      Delete
  88. I look forward to seeing if Nicanor stands at stud, even if he is not a stellar racer. He could be like Dynaformer, as Brielle said, but we will have to wait and see.

    ~AQL

    ReplyDelete
  89. Smarty never raced again after the belmont, but unlike IHA, he was undefeated coming into the belmont. I don't think smartys pedigree is that amazing, but birdstone has a line of triple crown runners on his sites side, if I remember right.
    The person that runs the eight Belles Facebook page stated that they read an article on it, but they aren't very reliable.
    And BTW, all of La Villes foals of racing age are winners, as far as i know. There are very few mares out there like that, even if they had a classic winner.
    Jiminy Cricket

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    Replies
    1. Hm I thought Smarty raced longer, oops XD i need to brush up on my facts I was young and dumb when he was racing and don't remember it all that clearly.
      La Ville has produced several winners. Man in Havana never raced because he didn't like/wasnt talented enough. But her other runners (besides Barbaro) have had at most 4 wins (Nicanor) each. And those were in mostly allowances. Nothing special. I'm not saying she's a bad mare, but she's (minus Barbaro) nothing out of the ordinary. But if Margano improves more and baby nor has half the talent of Barbaro, she may prove me wrong. ;)
      I know she had a colt in '11, did she have a foal this year? I wonder who they'll breed her to next since good old Dynaformer is gone :(

      Delete
    2. Sadly, La Ville didn't have a foal this year.
      She was bred to Bernardini back in march or april I think.

      Delete
    3. She is currently in foal to Bernerdini. Sadly, she did not have a foal this year. An article I read in Equus said that pregnancy is surprisingly easy for mares. They are not affected severely by it.

      ~AQL

      Delete
  90. Don't worry, the first race i remember, even though I went to los alamitos the year before as I present cause i hroke my arm and couldnt start riding lessons, was one of the 04 triple crown races. I believe it was the belmont, cause I started rooting for birdstone half way through it cause he looked black. My mom was like, no honey, e want Smarty to win lol. La Ville is as far as I'm concerned, an above average mare, all her babies that have raced have run in stakes, I believe, at least all the bros have. All of them are winners, she has an undefeated ky Derby winner, and a stakes placed colt that was the last horse to beat the best 3 yr old grass colt of the yr. Very few mares can say all their foals are winners, less than 150? Can say they've had a Derby winner. Probably less than 25 can go farther and say their Derby winner was undefeated, and to top it off they've got another foal that's stakes placed. I'm not trying to be mean, its just special to have a mare that all of her foals to race are winners. You rarely find as successful of a broodmare as better than honour (jazil, rags to richs, and casino drove) lol.

    AQL, the pregnancy does not hurt them, its natural, just like for any animal! But, as with all animals, sometimes the foaling can bear a problem, such as the babies backwards, and they cant correct it, or the babies stuck, and they cant fix it, and these problems result in losing both mare and baby usually, and sadly.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  91. And don't forget lenny set a track record at tampa bay over the winter.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  92. Very true. I bet Lentenor will set a track record.

    ~AQL

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  93. Just an FYI....Margano has been moved to the Delacour stables. Nicanor is retired and at the farm in Ocala, Fl.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Sorry for the repeat. Didn't read up far enough to see that Greg had already posted on Margano an Nicanor.

    ReplyDelete
  95. This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out.

    Lentenor (5-Year-Old Horse)

    Date: June 30, 2012
    Track: FAIR HILL
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.01:40 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Training
    Rank: 5/14 - See the day's workouts

    ReplyDelete
  96. Good job, Lentenor!

    ~AQL

    ReplyDelete
  97. This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out.

    Margano (3-Year-Old Colt)

    Date: July 1, 2012
    Track: FAIR HILL
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 48:60 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Training
    Rank: 3/7 - See the day's workouts

    ReplyDelete
  98. He's not missed a beat! He and big brother, Lentenor, are two of the most beautiful brothers racing today as well as two of the most underrated and hopefully the tide will turn and they can demonstrate what they can each do on the track in the future. Nicanor, we love you, too!
    Daffodil

    ReplyDelete
  99. Sad to hear of Nicanor's retirement for selfish reasons. I applaud the Jacksons for doing right by their horses. Can't wait to see what the future holds for Lentanor and Margano.


    Lori in Seattle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Selfish reasons? How was his retirement for selfish reasons?

      ~AQL

      Delete
  100. Oh AQL, Lori meant for her selfish reasons she was sad to hear of Nicanor's retirement. Not that Nicanor retired for selfish reasons.
    Silly, silly...;)

    Daffy

    ReplyDelete
  101. Just to get a discussion going: What do the rest of you think about the likelihood that Margano will be nominated for the Virginia Derby?

    Who might his competition be?

    Daf

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe. I don't feel they want to give him that much more distance yet. But if they think he can handle 10f he might start against Summer Front and Silver Max again.

      Delete
  102. Well, he's with different trainers now. If they feel sufficient pressure, they might just nominate him for that distance...

    ReplyDelete
  103. I believe the VA Derby is 9, not 10 furlongs. Anyways, the way he finishes, and the way Barbaro ran over 10 furlongs, i dont think it would be a problem. I believe Margano will be a major player in the 3 yr old turf division, once he gets a good trip, and gets to run more than 1/16 of a mile.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  104. The Virginia Derby is 1 1/4 miles or 10 furlongs. It's the Oaks that is only 9f.
    Anyway, I DO believe he can get the distance with ease.
    It's just a feeling the Jacksons are taking it slowly with him, step by step. Of course they might decide to run him in the Virginia, and if they do I'll be more than glad to hear that :-)

    ReplyDelete
  105. On the same day as the Virginia Derby, also at Colonial Downs, is an ungraded stakes race at 1 1/16 miles called the Kitten's Joy for 3YO and up. Wondering if either Margano or Lentenor might be pointed towards that race?

    Barclay Tagg did a wonderful job with Margano - I hope the youngest full brother (is he named yet?) will also be sent to Tagg to start his career. Tagg helped set up the foundations for what will hopefully be a long and solid career for Margano.

    ReplyDelete
  106. The difference in temperment between these full brothers is fascinating. Leigh Delacour, in a recent article, said that Lentenor was "feisty", actually more nervous than anything. We've certainly seen that, especially pre-race, as he's being tacked up. Margano, on the other hand, is calm, seemingly confident, and patient. He's been through a lot in his young life, and perhaps he just isn't fazed by the things that stir up Len (and Nic and even Barbaro who had similar behaviors pre-race). Margano is an intriguing colt.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Barbaro would apparently watch the TV strings over the finish line and lose focus in his 2 dirt races at Gulfstream. He would also act up in the padlock until his girth was tightened, then he knew it was time for business. Nicanor would act out even after his north was tightened, I haven't seen much of Lenny and Margano pre race.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  108. Margano is rather calm in the pre race.

    ~AQL

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  109. Lentenor is pretty antsy in the tacking up in the paddock. Leigh described him as "feisty" though more due to being nervous than anything else.

    ReplyDelete
  110. I see that there is not much news regarding the brothers.

    ~AQL

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  111. This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out.

    Lentenor (5-Year-Old Horse)

    Date: July 7, 2012
    Track: FAIR HILL
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.00:22 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Training
    Rank: 3/16 - See the day's workouts

    I think they may head for the Sussex Stakes at Delaware Park.

    ReplyDelete
  112. This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out.

    Margano (3-Year-Old Colt)

    Date: July 8, 2012
    Track: FAIR HILL
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.00:80 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Training
    Rank: 1/4 - See the day's workouts

    ReplyDelete
  113. Howe Great was on that list of works. Margano always works really well. He may be racing soon -- very soon.

    ReplyDelete
  114. I hope so. He ended up 1/6 overall.

    ~AQL

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  115. He was entered for tomorrow's Stanton Stakes at Delaware Park, but the race isn't going -- so check for Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
  116. Thanks, Anonymous!

    ~AQL

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  117. Margano is racing Saturday at Delaware Park, 1-1/16 on the turf, Race 6, pp3, Luis Garcia will be his jockey. 3:45 p/m/ EDT. It's an allowance.

    Daffodil

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  118. I really wish they wouldve kept him in stakes company...he was doing great.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  119. Besides Margano, 3 of these horses have wins in 2012, one of which has 10 starts already. The rest of them have done no better than 1 3rd for a few of them. The horse w/ 10 starts had a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. One of the other wines may have had a 3rd. Judging by marganos stakes efforts, and not looking closely, he's the class of the field.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  120. Well, of course he is!

    Daf

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  121. Why is L. Delacour listed as the trainer?

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  122. Because he was switched to her barn several weeks ago.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  123. Maybe the drop in class is because of the new trainer. This could be a way to give him a chance to adapt to being under a new trainer and gain confidence in her.

    ~AQL

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  124. On Margano's Facebook page,there are some new pictures of him posted on his wall. I do not know why, but he now using a tongue tie.

    ~AQL

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  125. He changed trainers, so obviously everything won't be the same.... I just hope this doesn't effect him for the worse...
    Jiminy Cricket

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  126. Here yall go, I know it's probably not that easy to read lol, but it's the main info on the horses. Margano is the 5/2 favorite, 2nd favorite is 7/2.

    1-Achilles Quest
    Year record-4-0-0-0
    Best finish of the year-8th
    Last win-10/10/11 class race-maiden claiming

    2-Dan And Sheila
    Year record-4-0-0-1
    Best finish on the year-3rd class-allowance
    Last win-12/17/11 class-maiden special
    4th in 2 graded stakes

    3-Margano
    Year record-3-0-1-0
    Best finish on the year-2nd class-stakes
    Last win-12/10/11 class-maiden special

    4-Selection Sunday
    Year record-3-0-0-1
    Best finish on the year-3rd class-starter optional claiming
    Last win-11/11/11 class-maiden claiming

    5-S S Skittles-cross entered in a claiming event
    Year record-2-0-0-0
    Best finish on the year-7th class-starter allowance
    Last win-3/13/11 class-maiden claiming

    6-Senor Quickie
    Year record-2-0-0-1
    Best finish on the year-3rd class-allowance op claiming
    Last win-11/30/11 class-maiden special weight

    *also eligible 7-Outbacker
    Year record-1-1-0-0
    Best finish on the year-1st class-maiden claiming
    Last win-7/2/12 (10 day turn around, off a 7-8 month lay off) class-maiden claiming

    8-Silber Stern
    Year record-3-0-0-0
    Best finish on the year-4th class-allowance
    Last win-10/5/11 class-maiden special weight

    9-Space Race
    Year record-3-0-0-0
    Best finish on the year-4th class-allowance
    Last win-9/10/11 class-maiden special
    Ran in Dixiana Breeders Futurity(gr1)-finished 10th of 13

    10-Love Of Flying
    Year record-4-1-0-1
    Best finish on the year-1st class-maiden special
    Last win-6/6/12 class-“ “

    11-Irunalatte-cross entered in a claiming race
    Year record-10-1-1-1
    Best finish on the year-1st class-maiden claiming
    Last win-7/2/12(once again, a 10 day turn around, with 9 other races this year) class-maiden claiming

    ReplyDelete
  127. Thanks, Anonymous. I appreciate the information on the field. Outbacker, should he run, has me worried.

    ~AQL

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  128. Well, if Margano is on his game and Luis gives him a ride like he gave Lentenor on December 23rd, Margano should have no trouble winning this race.

    Daf

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  129. Sort of sad seeing Margano having the big drop in class. He was running really well for Tagg in stakes races.

    Hopefully he will run well in this allowance and then get back to stakes company where he belongs!

    ReplyDelete
  130. Daf, you said it perfectly. And Anonymous, I feel the same. The drop in class may be a way to give him time to adjust to a new trainer and a new place without having the stress of a stakes. But who knows for sure?

    ~AQL

    ReplyDelete
  131. That big post was me. Sorry lol. Outbacker doesn't have me worried. For one thing, his only win came in a maiden claiming off a 7-8 month lay off, and then he has a 10 day turn around going into allowance company? That's a bit much if you ask me.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  132. Oh, hey, Jiminy. I'm sorry that I didn't realize it was you. I suppose you are right regarding Outbreaker. I just hope that Margano gets a good trip and has a chance to show himself. If he wins by a huge margin, all of those who doubted him shall regret it!

    ~AQL

    ReplyDelete
  133. Oh, the memories. We'll miss you, Nicanor. Have fun in retirement.

    http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/nicanor/archive/2009/05/13/nicanor-breaks-maiden-in-stunning-fashion.aspx

    ~AQL

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  134. Hope we will still get updates and pictures of Nicanor enjoying his retirement.

    ReplyDelete
  135. It's quite all right, my fault lol. I think/hope Margano will win this with ease. If hw gets any kind of ride, he should. I'll miss nick, and I wish we could've seen him run a few more times in his prime. But, when it comes to it, I know the horse always came first.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  136. Will anyone be going to Delaware Park to see Margano's race?

    Daffy

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  137. I wish I could, but sadly, I can't. Living in Ohio has its disadvantages, as does being 17 and unable to travel anywhere. I'd love to see Margano run in person.

    ~AQL

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  138. I miss Nicanor so much. I sure hope we'll get some photos and an update on him sometime in the not so distant future.

    Daf

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  139. This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out.

    Lentenor (5-Year-Old Horse)

    Date: July 14, 2012
    Track: FAIR HILL
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.02:00 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Training
    Rank: 11/19 - See the day's workouts

    ReplyDelete
  140. Margano finished fourth.
    It looked like he was a tad late at the start, sitting under a tight hold for half of the race and never found his best stride after.

    I'm glad all horses are safe but I'm somewhat disappointed how this race turned out. Was sure Margano would win this one.

    ReplyDelete
  141. I just watched Margano race on the Delaware Park website. Was it just me or did it look like he was just boxed in? He just couldn't seem to get around those first two (their names escape me). He looked magnificent though. He had such presence in the post parade. As for Nicanor, his retirement is no surprise to me. All I want for him is a happy, healthy life with maybe some little Nicanor's running on the track in the future.

    Joy in Texas

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  142. Wasn't able to watch it, I'm on my way to a show. Equibase said he lacked the late kick needed. I'll watch later....
    Jiminy Cricket

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  143. Given how well he was running for Tagg against GOOD stakes winners/runners in stakes races at a larger track with tougher competition, today's result was a disappointment. :-(

    Hopefully Margano will rebound from this in his next race. He's a much better colt than today's result would indicate.

    ReplyDelete
  144. I have yet to see the replay, but it sounds like he just had another poor trip....I'm just glad that he's alright.

    ~AQL

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  145. Hi!

    I wonder why Margano has changed trainer?

    Were there problems with Mr. Tagg?

    Thank you!

    Lise from Maine

    ReplyDelete
  146. Margano should never have changed trainers. Period. He was coming along well with the Taggs and now has regressed rather badly. He was a calm confident young horse until now. Worried for his and Lentenor's futures. Luis Garcia was not aggressive enough with him. Margano could have and should have won this race -- but being held back as hard as he was to rate behind the leaders, takes the energy right out of him. I for one am dying to see him let loose to run with that kick of his. Okay, so now he is in a secure, impenetrable barn where privacy is being maintained -- so what??

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  147. Owners change trainers all the time for a lot of different reasons.

    You will see Grade I winners change trainers because their owners want them based in a different part of the country - say they will switch a horse from Baffert on the west coast to Pletcher on the east coast or vice versa.

    Sometimes it is a pure business decision - one trainer will charge a cheaper rate than another.

    Sometimes it will be because one trainer has connections at different tracks than another.

    I saw one owner at an internet message board complaining that he was on his/her (not sure of the sex of the owner) third trainer because his trainers kept dropping his/her horses into claiming races and they would be immediately claimed each and every time despite the assurances of the trainers that the horses would not be claimed. The owner was looking for a trainer who was willing to run his/her horses at a lower level track in allowances (ie Finger Lakes rather than Saratoga) rather than dropping the horses into claiming races if the horse wasn't up to stakes/allowance level races at the big name tracks.

    Sometimes a disagreement will occur, and the owner will change trainers.

    Sometimes an owner wants a "big name" trainer and will jettison the trainer who got the horse running well to begin with.

    Sometimes an owner will change trainers and not a soul other than the owner knows why (such as Lentenor and Nicanor changing trainers) - not even the original trainer (to this day Matz says he doesn't have a clue why the Lael horses were taken from his care).

    In the case of Margano, I suspect it might have been in part (if not in total) that they wanted the colt to be based and do most of his running on the more local mid-Atlantic circuit rather than the New York circuit. They do not seem to have totally broken from Barclay Tagg the way they did with Matz? And Tagg certainly was bringing Margano along wonderfully!

    (This is not a bashing of the owners, of past trainers, or current trainers by the way! The owners have every right to send their horses to the trainers of their choice! And all of the trainers involved are reputable, caring people).

    Probably only the owners know how and why these decisions were made over Barbaro's brothers, and until and unless they explain them (and they do NOT owe anyone an explanation since their horses have all been well cared for) all else will be mere speculation.

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  148. I think my geatest concern with Margano switching trainer is that we won't get any info on him anymore. No workout / racing photos, no little reports after his races.
    I hope I'm wrong but it seems like it'll get even more quiet around the brothers. Bet the youngest brother will be sent to Leigh Delacour as well.

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  149. I think it was too soon to race Margano after the trainer switch. He needs more time. And I agree that he needs an aggressive rider who lets him run his race.

    ~AQL

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  150. Margano is a closer type. He was too close to the front, if you ask me. He ran with his head higher then usual, and that strikes me as an unhappy horse. Luis defiantly had a tight hold on him. And, if my opinion matters, Margano knows how to rate himself.

    ~AQL

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  151. With Nicanor out of the game, Lentenor tossing his rider in protest, and Margano running the same race Lentenor had just run -- Luis Garcia needs never to be on him again. This is a promising young horse and he'll be ruined too. WHY couldnt he have stayed with the Taggs who loved him and were bringing him along so well??? Sorry, I blame the owners for this.

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  152. Margano took a large drop in class, huge drop in trainer, and terrible drop in jockey. And what did it come together for? A very lackluster race compared to his usual self. I'm sorry, but that's just how it is. He goes from a kentucky Derby winning trainer to someone who's only had like 2 minor stakes horses. He goes from top new York jockies to someone who rides in allowances on the smaller circuits. He went from closing very quickly in stakes races to apparently not even making any ground in an allowance.

    In his 2nd race he went very near to going wire to wire, so I don't think that was the problem.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  153. Jiminy, you don't think what was the problem??

    Daffodil

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  154. No, of you remember his 2nd race, he led all the way until the 1/8 pole, and still held on and fought his way to 2nd.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  155. You make a very good point, Jiminy Cricket. Sadly, I fear that he may be on the wrong path, one towards a ruined horse. I respect the Jacksons' decision, knowing that I have no power to change it, but I think it was the wrong one. Yet, let us see if he can bounce back from this

    ~AQL

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  156. Margano is a very nice colt. Let us all hope he gets back on track in his next race.

    Where is Greg?? Is he OK?

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  157. I do not know where Greg is. I think he is busy, but we'll see. Margano just needs more time to adjust to all of this change..

    ~AQL

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  158. Lentenor is entered in the Sussex Stakes on July 21, 2012, at Delaware Park!
    He doesn't have a Jockey listed as of now so there's a chance he will not run. But I'm excited anyway!

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  159. I hope Lentenor does run, and if he does, Luis better NOT be listed as the rider. Clearly, Luis isn't a good match for Lentenor or Margano.

    ~AQL

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    Replies
    1. If he should run in the Sussex (which is not likely as you said) I think they might try to get Alan Garcia or Ramon Dominguez. He finished 2nd behind Sky Blazer with Alan aboard back in May.

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  160. Lentenor is also entered in the Kitten's Joy Stakes at Colonial Downs on the 21st. S. Russel is listed as the jockey. He ran his last race at Colonial Downs, but since he has a rider listed, I'd expect him to run in the Kitten's Joy.

    ~AQL

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  161. Looks like they finally decided it was time for a new jockey. Could they not get someone a bit better than these kids? I'm not sure who s. Russell is. Once again, i wont be able to watch due to a horse show, still haven't seen marganos race, dont know if i want to.
    Jiminy Cricket

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    Replies
    1. I nearly cried watching Margano's race. He looked upset the entire time...

      ~AQL

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  162. It's sheldon Russell, if I remember right, he's been riding since 06(1 mount) and his horses won 4 million last year, so that ain't half bad.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  163. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/71377/owners-pledge-no-raceday-meds-for-2-year-olds

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  164. For the Sussex Stakjes, Lentenor will have the famous Jermey Rose as a rider! I have a good feeling about tomorrow! And thank you for the article. I'm pleased with the news.

    ~AQL

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  165. I won't be going to the show tomorrow, due to a rather nasty fall leading to my ankle being severely sprained yet again. So, I will be able to watch lennys race.
    Jiminy Cricket

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    1. Thank god you're alright. But I'm sorry about your ankle. You know, I had a fall one time and my horse kicked me. It shattered bones in my ankle, but I was stupid and never went to the doctor nor did I tell my mother until days after. Anyway, good luck to Lentenor tomorrow!

      ~AQL

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  166. This isn't the first time I've injured this ankle. Several years ago, I was riding him bareback and I had an itsy bitsy double set up, and he spooked at both jumps before jumping them, I slipped off and he completely stepped on it. Later that year, I twisted it running around in the yard, and its never really quite hurting since then. Yesterday, I was slow working barrels on him, Bareback once again. My pad came loose, and he wouldn't stand still long enough for me to tighten it, I was too lazy to get off and do it that way, so I went ahead and tightened it, and I guess it pinched him, cause he reared up and flipped. I landed on my bad ankle, and it twisted up under me, and he kicked me when he was scrambling to get up. I guess lucky for me I was Bareback this time, or I could've been crushed.
    Anyways, I hope the change of jockies does Lenny good, and he wins either way today.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  167. Woah, you're lucky that you're okay. Maybe a saddle could help? But I admire you for riding bareback. My horse hates it so badly that he won't let me on, ever. The few times I managed to leap on from the mounting block onto his bak, he was the devil. Anyway, I hope Lentenor has a great run.

    ~AQL

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  168. If I had used a saddle yesterday, he would've crushed me. You can't get out of a saddle anywhere near as fastly as you can get off Bareback. We were up against the fence, too, so I didn't have much place to go. I was very lucky that I didn't have a saddle on him. The other time, we couldn't put a girth on him due to having just removed a non cancerous growth from his girth area.
    Jiminy Cricket

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    Replies
    1. Oh, uh.....sorry. I do not want you getting crushed.

      ~AQL

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  169. So is Lentenor in the kittens joy or Sussex today....?

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  170. Kittens joy, where he's the 5/2 2nd choice, and breaks from the outside!
    Jiminy Cricket

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    Replies
    1. Finally! I'm really happy!

      ~AQL

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  171. Lol, its all right AQL. ;) I'm already bored, and still at least a week until I can ride again! This is torture. Can Lenny's race hurry up and get her pretty please? And I think we need a new blog post, as this ones about to get to 200 as well, and I couldn't see any comments past 200 on the last one.
    Jiminy Cricket

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    Replies
    1. Do you know where I can watch the race live? And I agree about the blog post. That week will be torture, I feel bad for you.

      ~AQL

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  172. I usually watch races on hrtv, but I don't know,sorry :/.
    Jiminy Cricket

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