Margano Joins New Trainer

Being Preakness Week, which will bring up bad memories for racing fans, and especially for the FOB's, I figured this news would help ease the pain a little. 

The news is in regards to Barbaro's little brother, Margano.

It looks like Roy and Gretchen Jackson have made the decision to have Margano join the barn of Mr. Barclay Tagg, who is home based at Belmont Park in Elmont New York. 

Margano, a two year old colt sired by Dynaformer and produced from La Ville Rouge on March 10, 2009 at Mill Ridge Farm, is the full brother to Barbaro, Nicanor, and Lentenor.  Also, Mill Ridge Farm reported today that La Ville Rouge is still very pregnant and due any day now!

Margano recently made the trek up north from Ocala, Florida.  Just like his brothers before him, Margano started his training at Stephens Thoroughbreds down in Florida.

I feel for Mr. Matz and his staff, being that this is the first brother that won't be under their guidance, but in the long run, it might benefit all those involved.  I just hope Margano gets the care and love that Barbaro, Nicanor, and Lentenor recieved from all in Mr. Matz's barn, they are a class act!

The Jacksons (Lael Stable) have had numerous horses under the guidance of Mr. Tagg in the past and presently have quite a few in Mr. Tagg's barn. 

I would have to say, one of the more prominent horses the Jackson's trusted with Mr. Tagg was one of my favorites, the Champion Showing Up.  Showing Up was a multiple Graded Stakes Winner, winner of the 2006 Grade II Coolmore Lexington Stakes, 2006 Grade I Secretariat Stakes, 2006 Grade II Jamaica Breeders' Cup Handicap, and the 2006 Grade I Hollywood Derby. 

Showing Up also placed sixth in the 2006 Kentucky Derby, a race that Margano's big brother Barbaro won.  In Showing Up's last race, the Grade 2 Maker's Mark Mile on April 13th 2007, he placed second behind another true Champion, Kip Deville.  Showing Up finished his brief, but brilliant career, with a record of 10 Starts, 7 Wins, 1 Second, and 1 Third, with career earning's of $1,660,500.

I completely trust the judgement and faith that Roy and Gretchen Jackson have entrusted with Mr. Tagg and his staff.  This could not have been a easy decision for them to make, but, if they think it is in the best interest of Margano, then that is good enough for me! 


It will be exciting to see Margano begin his journey on the track as he matures into a racehorse. 


Wishing nothing but the best for Margano, now and in the future. 



Margano on Sunday, May 8th, at Belmont Park (he is on far right!)
(Penn's Grant, Coco Diamond, and Margano)

(Photo by Nancy Rokos)



Margano at Stephens Thoroughbreds on April 9, 2011
 

(Photo by Kira)



Striking a Pose (Mill Ridge Farm, May 13, 2010)

(Photo by Anne M. Eberhardt)

Romping in the field (Mill Ridge Farm, May 13, 2010)

(Photo by Anne M. Eberhardt)



Nicanor, Lentenor, Margano



Godspeed Margano...



*UPDATED*

Here is Margano's newest little brother, and their Mother, La Ville Rouge (Thank You to Mill Ridge Farm for posting the photos!)



Mill Ridge Website:

http://www.millridge.com/barbaros-family.aspx

Nicanor Racing Tomorrow, Blinkers On!

It what looks like a carbon copy of Nicanor's race here back on September 24th, Nicanor will be racing tomorrow (May 12th) at Belmont Park in the Island Sun Stakes.  The race is scheduled to go off about 2:36, race #4 of nine on the card.  The race will be run on the turf at a perfect distance of one mile.  While the Island Sun drew 25 nominations, a field of seven will be competing in the one turn mile race (Arson Squad was also entered, but as a main track only entry, no chance of the race being taken off the turf, since we will have a perfect, firm turf course due to great weather all week!).  Ramon Dominquez will be riding Nicanor once again (Ramon rode Nicanor to victory back in September, going wire to wire for the win!).

Blinkers on!

Yes, Nicanor will once again be doing his best impersonation of Zorro, wearing his black blinkers for the first time since maiden and first-level allowance wins at Delaware Park in 2009.  A definite sign that Ramon will take Nicanor straight to the lead, and, hopefully, never look back.  I love this decision by Mr. Matz, while it is obvious Nicanor hates wearing his blinkers, he is more focused when he runs with them.  The trick will be getting the blinkers on prior to the race, I am sure Nicanor will do everything in his power to make this very difficult for Mr. Matz to accomplish!

Here is a video I shot of Nicanor prior to his race at Delaware Park on June 17, 2009.  As you can see, Nicanor is a hand full while getting his Zorro blinkers put on (sorry about the quality of the video, it was raining and I had my not-so-good camera!):




While Nicanor's race back in September was run at a slightly longer distance (1 1/16 miles), this race should (I hope), play out the same way.  Take Nicanor to the lead, establish moderate fractions (look for splits at each quarter mile around :25, :49, and 1:13), and then see if Nicanor can hold off the field coming down the stretch.  Nicanor has an ideal spot, breaking from the two hole, so I honestly think he can get the lead and have the race play out like I mentioned.


Here is a replay of Ramon and Nicanor back at Belmont Park in September:





Here is the field for the Island Sun Stakes:

1. (#2)  Lubash, ridden be Jose Lezcano, trained by James Ryerson, morning line of 8-1 odds.

2. (#1)  NICANOR, ridden by Ramon Dominquez, trained by Michael Matz, morning line of 3-1 odds!

3. (#1A)  Beau Choix, ridden by Alan Garcia, trained by Barclay Tagg, morning line of 3-1 odds.

4. (#3)  Zifzaf, ridden by Alex Solis, trained by James Toner, morning line of 7-2 odds.

5. (#4)  Flat Bold, ridden by Javier Castellano, trained by Thomas Albertrani, morning line of 12-1 odds.

6. (#5)  Krypton, ridden by Eddie Castro, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, morning line of 3-1 odds.

7. (#6)  Right One, ridden by Rajiv Maragh, trained by Christophe Clement, morning line of 5-2 odds.

(Nicanor and Beau Choix are a coupled entry, Nicanor owned by The Jacksons (Lael stable), Beau Choix owned by Belle Meadows Stable & Lael Stable).

I will have a full breakdown of this very evenly matched field tonight (since I am off to work this morning and don't have time right now to post my thoughts on the field, thanks for your patience!)

Some photos of Nicanor at Belmont Park on September 24th:

Godspeed Nicanor...

Devil May Care, Rest In Peace Beautiful Girl...

Today the equine world lost a beautiful young filly named Devil May Care, she was just four years young.  I was hit with extreme shock and sadness when I opened my e-mail and saw the breaking news posted by Bloodhorse.com about Devil May Care losing her battle with lymphosarcoma, a form of cancer.

I saw her break her maiden in her first race at Saratoga on August 29, 2009.  I have followed every step of her brief, great career, spanning just nine races in less then one year on the track. 

Her victories included the Frizette Stakes (Grade I), Mother Goose Stakes (Grade I), BetFair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (Grade I),  and the Bonnie Miss Stakes (Grade II).

Devil May Care also finished 10th in last year's Kentucky Derby, where I was lucky enough to acquire her shoes and saddle cloth from this race, something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Here is the breaking news I received in my E-mail from Bloodhorse, written by Esther Marr:

 http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62860/devil-may-care-loses-battle-with-cancer#ixzz1LQiykkEh

John Greathouse, Devil May Care's owner, sent the following letter to her fans:

The Devil May Care Family:

To all who have followed and been a part of Devil May Care’s racing life and her fight for life, she and I wish to thank and applaud all of you. The racing was a thrill and one not to be forgotten or dismissed out of hand.

To this day I don’t believe we ever saw her best race. But that is my opinion and will be saved for my memories.

To those who cared for her and her health, we both thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We tried very hard, only to be overcome by lymphosarcoma, an enemy that we couldn’t beat.

We entered a race we couldn’t win.

In an ironic twist, a year ago today she was busy drawing post position 11 for the 136th Kentucky Derby.

She was our shining star...

John Greathouse



While every loss of these beautiful souls hurts, losing her and Kip Deville just hurts very deeply, I had thought both were on the mend and then to hear of them losing both their battles with cancer and laminitis, it just isn't right and makes no sense to me.


Here are some photos I was lucky enough to take of this brave, beautiful soul winning the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park,


May She Rest In Peace...

 

Devil May Care (May 7, 2007-May 4, 2011)