Margano Debut Recap

First and foremost, my sincere apoligies for not getting Margano's debut recap posted earlier, sorry!  Just hope the old idiom "Better late then never" applies here?

When Margano first walked into the paddock area prior to his first career start, I was very impressed by his calm demeanor and that he was taller then what I had envisioned.  He almost looked sleepy as he walked back and forth in the paddock, quite different then his two older brothers on raceday.  One also needs to remember, Belmont Park is his home, and he his quite familiar with its paddock area.  While darker then his brothers, he sure had their kind eye and very impressive build. 

Going out to the track, his calm demeanor had started to change.  He was completely professional, but one could tell his eyes had become wider and I believe he knew what was about to follow, his first race of his career, a earlier career debut then his three brothers before him.  He was ready.

There had been some talk that maybe Margano had gate issues since he "practiced" going into the gate four times prior to his debut.  On this day, there were no issues at all, he went into the gate perfectly, very professional! 

When the gate opened, Margano broke cleanly and without incident, maybe just a step slow though.  About a hundred yards out, Jose did have to check hard due to a couple of colts in front of him.  Down the backstrech, Jose had the brakes on almost the whole time as Margano raced near the back of the pack, eighth out of ten in the field.  Picture yourself driving your car with the foot on the gas while also having a foot on the brake, this is how Margano was being ridden.  Then Margano was able to run freely for a short time, his stride was nice and fluid, but, once again, Jose needed to apply the brakes going into the far turn.  Midway into the far turn, Margano was now in last place, but only about ten lengths from the leaders.  At the top of the stretch, Margano was FINALLY allowed to run.  With a wall of horses in front of him, he needed to go six wide to get clear sailing.  Once this happened, it was wonderful to see Margano running freely down the stretch.  His ears pinned and his long stride gaining momentum with every step, he looked like he "got it".  He ended up finishing seventh in the field of ten, a field that was a very promising group of two year olds.  Our Entourage won the race, owned by Mr. Mike Repole and trained by Mr. Todd Pletcher, he will be one to watch as he progresses.

After the race, as Margano came back in fine order, I was quite impressed that he didn't seem to be breathing hard at all, while the other colts all seemed very winded.  Despite being checked back for almost the whole race, which drains energy, Margano wasn't phased in the least, quite impressive.  On paper, one sees that he finished seventh and it LOOKS disappointing, I don't see it that way at all.  While finishing seventh, Margano was only five lengths from the winner.  One also needs to remember, this is a learning process, and in this one race, Margano learned so much.  While I usually am not one to come down on a jockey, I will just say, I was not happy with Jose's ride at all, enough said.  While Margano did run greenly at times, his stretch run made me very excited about his future.  He will progress after this, and, look for the next race to be run complete differently, a race that he will be ridden with a chance to actually win the race.


Bottom line, it was a safe and impressive debut for Margano and he will be a force as he learns, race by race!

BTW, Margano had his third work since his debut earlier this morning (October 9th).  He went five furlongs in 1:00.02 on the fast dirt track at Belmont, first of five that worked.  I wouldn't be surprised if he has his second race very soon at Belmont Park.




Video replay of Margano's debut:






Video I shot of the stretch run:





Photos I snapped of the stunning Margano:











































































Photos my friend Elaine snapped (thanks Elaine!):























Godspeed Margano...

Photos and Videos of Winter Memories

When I was at Belmont Park to see the debut of Margano, I was lucky enough to see the beautiful filly Winter Memories in person, and I sure wasn't disappointed!   


While having nothing to do with Barbaro's family, I would be remiss if I didn't share my photos and video of this stunning filly.


Winter Memories was making her eighth career start of her short but so far remarkable career.  She would be running in the Grade One Garden City Stakes at a distance of 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf at Belmont Park.



For those not familiar with the outcome of the race, I will write nothing more, just sit back and enjoy!



Winter Memories in the padddock prior to her race at Belmont Park.  She does NOT like to be around other horses on race day, so, she had her own personal paddock, lol.  Also, she is the first horse I have ever witnessed that got saddled while never stopping, quite a feat!







The running of the Grade One Garden City Stakes








My photos of this beautiful filly...

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: