That's great.  I'd be interested in hearing how some of his other stable buddies are doing also, like the Smarty Jones' colt that also worked out with Nicanor a while back.  This is how Barbaro's family can help this sport, getting a higher level of interest by providing info and updates like these to the fans.  Again, Great Job and thank you.

So cool~I can't wait to watch the continued progress of these babies!  Best of luck to Ice Road in his racing debut!

Great to hear about Nicanor's coming-of-age buddies.

Not all of us are singularly interested in Nicanor and his immediate racing career - -- we are just lovin' to hear anything about him -- his growth, more pictures, etc.  When Nicanor races, he races.  And maybe that's not his future.  If it is, great.  But it would be terrific to see new pictures, hear from Peter Brette or Michael Matz or Nicanor's grooms about any aspect of the process of Nicanor's coming-of-age.  

Please feel free to give us anecdotes galore as well as much appreciated news on Nicanor's racing friends.

Sincere thanks for all of your efforts.

IM VERY ANXIOUS TO SEE ICE ROAD RUN. I LOVE THE UNBRIDLED SONG BABIES. I KNOW THIS IS OFF THE SUBJECT BUT I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY RECENT WORD ON CHELOKEE? LAST I HEARD (IN JULY)HE WAS HEALING NICELY AND ROOD & RIDDLE WAS CONSIDERING RELEASING HIM AT THE END OF JULY. IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED HE WAS GOING TO VINERY FOR STUD IN 2009. IS THIS TRUE? ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHATS HAPPENING WITH SHOWING UP. HAS HE BEEN OFFICIALLY RETIRED ?  AND IF SO, WHERE IS HE GOING TO STUD?

Just wondering - is Runup the Colors a daughter of Winning Colors?

I have pictures of A.P. Indy's daughter Runup The Colors from her days on the track. Thanks for the information on Ice Road. I'll certainly be checking for the results Saturday night.

Rockland - Got it! Thank you.

Thanks for this blog.

Please keep us updated on all of his buddies.

Hope Ice Road has a good, safe race.

why are they taken so long to debut this horse who probably will lose his first race. like i said before he is not barbaro and he made not be able to repeat what barbaro did. i'm thinking more like a lion heart crop to win the derby next year or street cry.

Glad to hear about Ice Road's upcoming debut. I for one will be rooting for him and I am very impressed Ramon has the mount. Sounds like Ice Road has some potential. Thanks aduckworth for thinking of us.

Again, I'd rather see Nicanor race a bit later rather than sooner.  I am so concerned that our expectations and great hopes for our beautiful boy will create more of a burden of pressure than encouragement for him.

Let's let him be Nicanor, a young horse, first and then, later, if he shows any inclination, possibly a racehorse.

Are the races at Delaware Park televised on September 6? I would like to see Ice Road run. Wow, this is like watching the kids grow!

If you want more active followings on what Smarty's kids are doing, check out BH.com's Maiden Watch Blog. It has followed all the Smarty's that have run plus some workouts of those prepping.

to smartysgal Runup the colors sire is AP Indy - dam - Up The Flag Pole

This is getting very exciting-info not just on Nicanor, who my entire family will continue to watch with enthusiasm whether he actually races or not-but also some additional info on the other babies and stablemates who will begin their racing careers. Thank you so much for this blog-and thank you readers for sharing your info on questions other readers ask!

Hmmm...a Lion Heart colt is going to win the derby next year, but a Dynaformer colt will probably lose in a maiden special weight at Delaware Park.  Not sure I see the logic.  They better hurry up and adjust those stud fees since they are about $130,000 apart.  No one expects this horse to be Barbaro, who won the Kentucky Derby by the largest margin in 55 years.  However, in general why would one think a Dynaformer cross with a Mr.Prospector mare would have trouble breaking maiden, regardless if it is Nicanor, or any other colt from similar stock????????????

I have been watching the Triple Crown for a few decades. And one of the first Triple Crowns I took notice of was 1971 where Canonero II, complete with crooked foreleg, managed to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. And I suspect that had Canonero II not been nursing an infection in his foot, he would have done much better in the Belmont.

I also suspect that had War Pass managed to stay healthy for the Triple Crown that the dynamics of the 2008 Triple Crown might have changed a bit. (I think War Pass is fabulous and although I am sad that his career was cut short, I will always remember him in the 2007's Breeder Cup.) I also hope he has a fabulous stud career.

Nicanor is indeed an unknown entity in the world of horse racing. What we currently know about Nicanor has been doled out in small dosages. So I am not sure how anyone can know how Nicanor stands up to Barbaro. Secretariat was a super horse, but only won by 2 1/2 lengths at the Kentucky Derby. As everyone knows, Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby by 6 1/2 lengths. Both Secretariat and Barbaro were exceedingly fine horses. How can you compare the two?

Nicanor has every chance of being a great horse providing he stays healthy and enjoys the competition of racing. It does appear that Nicanor is growing into his roots, without the difficult demeanor of Dynaformer. And it won't surprise me if Nicanor breaks maiden his first time up, but if it takes a couple of tries, I will continue to follow Nicanor.

And Amanda, thank you for letting us know about Ice Road and also for this blog. I will be checking him out on Saturday.

I would love to see a picture of Nicanor jumping some cavalleti ... um, I mean hacking out on the trails.

For those interessted if you want to see Icy Road's race go to http://www.youbet.net and sign up, they run all of Delaware races and you can see it on your puter.

Ice Road was scratched. Can you continue to update stuff on Ice Road too? I love this blog!

Why was Ice Road scratched?  Delaware Park was not on the TVG schedule today -- don't understand that either.  Is Ice Road all right?

Why was he scratched? Amanda?

ICE ROAD WAS SCRATCHED DUE TO TROPICAL STORM HANNAH, THE TRACK WAS A MUD PIT. GOTTA LOVE TVG.

I'm with you, brettzsky99.  Since this is a Nicanor blog, what is the plan for him now?  Is he going to resume training this year or just enjoy being a horse and growing strong?

Ice Road was scratched, do you know if he'll be entered in a similar race in the near future?

good luck and strong legs for nicanor and his buddy ice road love to see him run and race safe good luck to his trainer micheal

Ah, Michael.  Michael Matz rises to the occasion a usual and protects his young charge.  Yes, indeed, it was sloppy along the eastern seaboard over the weekend and I am so glad that Ice road was scratched.  The youngsters should be protected until they are more experienced. Thank you, Michael, these young horses are in the best hands.  

Love all the updates!!  As a recent owner of a rescued 2 yr.old TB gelding I'm so very happy to hear special care is taken with the youngsters.  They have so much development to do till they are 3.  I know my "Mac" doesn't have a great pedigree like Nicanor & friends, but watching him recover each day (2-3 days between meds now) further instills in me that any horse shouldn't be raced until they are 3.  For those who have prayed for "Mac" & his recovery ~ THANK YOU!!  It is working.  He needs less bute now, still a great appetite & good mover in small space.

Hey, Jusue555...no need to knock Nicanor and "predict" he will lose his first race. No, he is not Barbaro...that doesn't mean he will not be a winner. Give him a break, for God's sake!

Please, can we have photos of him as we wait??  That would so help to tide us over and make the wait more endurable.

Ice Road was scratched.... sloppy track

Wow! Love all the horse info.  It is like watching the kids grow.  Thank God for Michael and his love for horses.  Luv the updates.  I thought I was one of the only people in the world who follow horses.  So glad I am not.

nicanor and lentenor will never be as good as barbaro.i've been analysing pedigrees over the last ten years and it's been my observation that the first sibling born, (full siblings)is always the best one,and yes there are exceptions,and a case can be made for these.what i have found only concerns people buying horses not selling them. a tip,  COLOUR DOES MATTER.

Rockland is making his debut at Keeneland on October 9th.  Don't have race or times, sorry.

Ross, could you explain your last remark??

Rockland is in the 6th race at Keeneland today but I don't see it on the TVG schedule, darn it.

Rokland came in 3rd!  Good job, Rocky!  Congratulations Michael and Co.

Rockland is a beautiful young horse who was very well-behaved today and he went into the gate quietly and waited patiently for some other skittish horses to be loaded after several tries.  He ran gamely and it was a good first effort -- he placed!  He's going to be a good racehorse.

IMHO.

When will Nicanor finally make his first start?

Michael Matz is a trainer that truley cares about the well being of his horses. That comes first. If he says Nicanor needs a little more growing time, he does. I think it will be worth the wait!!!