Way to go Nicanor!!!!  WOOOO HOOOO,

Looks like the time you took off was time well spent.  

Love you big guy!!!

   Go Nicky!! I knew we would be hearing good news about him soon. Be safe and take your time beautiful one.

Who else did he run with at that distance?

Good to know he is back.  How about some pictures?  

38 seconds huh. Looks like the beautiful and stupendous Nicanor has shaved a little time off of his June time of 39.20. Nothing like a little trail work for 4 months to build a little muscle tone. Congrats to Nicanor and of course Michael, Peter and all of his supporting cast.

WOW Nic-way to go!!! You certainly are growing into a big strong guy. Now going to FL for the winter--Be safe and good luck!!

Maybe he'll race after all! Go Nicanor!!!!!!!!!!

Boy, is this GREAT to hear !  First, that Nicanor is well.  Second, that Michael Matz and his team are nurturing him so well.  And finally, that this clever boy does indeed have some tricks up his hooves !!  

Would love to see some pics to see how Nicanor is developing. Wonder if he is starting to look like the "weight lifter" Barbaro looked like !  

Looking forward to Nicanor racing next year -- better to do it well than to do it just to follow an arbitrary timeline.  

Nicanor may very well surprise us all . . .

Good job Nicanor,

You are going to do great in Florida with the warm sun on your back and the cool breezes in the air. Keep up the good work in your training in Florida.

God Bless,

Joan/VA

Way to go Nicanor!!!

I didn't think he was 17 hands. Some little birdy was wrong. 16.3 is more believable. Sounds like he may be a pretty stalky horse.

You go Nicanor! What great news for all to hear. Yeah, 16.2 or 3 sounds better. Might not be a Dynaformer turf runner like Barbaro, sounds more like a sprinter. No matter, he is what he is and we love him like crazy. Florida you lucky dog! Wish he was coming to California.

Love it!  Looking forward to seeing him run.

If you check the Fair Hill workouts on the 16th,it looks like Ready Set & Visionaire will run as 4 year olds--still breezing.

hi all good to hear nic is getting to his next step....be careful big man.

Yea Nicanor!  Glad to hear he is doing great :)

No rush Mr. Matz!  Seeing get to run period would be a delight and a privilege.  He sounds like he's really blossoming.  It'd be great to get a look at him.

Would love to know who he ran with.  Was so thrilled to open up the email and see that Nicky had worked out! He's going to be magnificent, I just know it!  16.3 sounds pretty big.  Can 17 be far off?

The other two horse who worked 3 furlongs that day were Mr Eccentric and Short Shift. Nicanor ran a full 3 seconds faster then those two. Im impressed. Sounds like all the waiting has been worth it. 12 second furlongs aint too shabby for his first work in over 4 months.

A great workout and then a ride off into the sunset!!  Just perfect!

I am really happy to hear that Nicanor has had finally his first workout since July.  It is also good to know that he is 16.3 hands which is pretty big.  I wish him all the best in Florida, to his training also, and hopefully to see him race at the end of the year.  Thank you for the news Amanda it is great to know how Nicanor is coming along after so many months that he has been growing.

38 - wow he is rapid.

Thank you, Amanda. We so appreciate the information.  We are so relieved to hear he is back to work, mainly because it confirms that he's fine.Mayb Michael will get the privacy he needs in Florida.

woohoo Nicanor!  Enjoy the warm weather.

So,when Michael says he is not as long as Barbaro, is he refering to his legs?  If yes, then his body is long/big?

Do we know how tall he was when he arrived?  I thought someone said 15.3.

It is so good to hear about our Nicky.  You go boy!!! Win that crown!!!  My prayers and thoughts are with you. Keep us posted Amanda.

I like to know if he is going to Gulfstream Park or Ocala thank you.

Perfect. Just perfect.  Great training regimen for him.  Sounds like he is really growing up and with that time I would say he has figured out where his legs are supposed to go and is really getting the hang of being a racehorse.  He seems like he is leaner and taller than Barbaro--not as muscular and stocky--he will definitely be a force in his own right.  Kudos to the team for doing a beautiful job with ALL their horses--they really want what is best for each horse.  Can't wait to see his progress over the winter!  Good luck!!

Run, do not walk over to ABR, post #

30624.14 from Windkeeper (aka Jim Coarse) and see the precious picture of Nicanor taken 10 days ago.  Not indicative of his size, but so sweet, all the same. And RECENT!

He' going to Palm Meadows nea Boynton Beach and by long, Michael probably meant from front to rear.  I noticed tht Barbaro was longer than usual.

He can come and stay with me. Good luck Nicanor!

renee, that really makes me smile, but get in line. i've been saying for a long time i'd clean his stall anytime, his place or mine. this horsey family has really brought me closer to horses again after a tragic accident years ago, in which my dear cousin passed away. she was an expert rider, who had ridden since the age of two. i couldn't look at horse for a long time until i saw the preakness 2006, after that i followed the news at penn vet several times a day. these boys have made me love horses all over again, i feel like i have a second family, and enjoy the closeness of the fob's and the undying love and excitement for this family. much love and success!!!!!!!!

IT'S GREAT TO HEAR HE IS DOING SO WELL. I JUST HOPE AND PRAY HE STAYS HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SOUND. I KNEW THEY WOULDN'T RUN HIM UNTIL HE WAS/IS READY. TAKE YOUR TIME BIG BOY!!! DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE HE WILL BE IN FLORIDA? I AM HEADING DOWN THERE IN FEBRUARY TO VISIT  A RESCUE AND WOULD LOVE TO TRY AND SEE HIM. THANKS FOR THE UPDATES.

A touch hard to believe that he goes 3 in 38 flat on that slowish Fair Hill tapeta, and hasn't done ANY breezing in 6 months.  It looks like they may not be posting on the docket, to me anyway.

Congratulations to Dynaformer for his daughter Rainbow View. She just won the Cartier award for 2yr filly of the year.  

brettzky99, it isn't hard to believe his time going 38 flat if we look between the lines. Matz  said he was nice. I take that to mean there's something special here, just don't know for sure until he is in a race. He's big but not as long as Barbaro, sounds like he might be built for speed rather than long distance conditions. Of course Barbaro was big, powerful, long, lean and had it all. If Nicanor has any talent at all and it sure sounds like he does, I think he will be very good

It's hard to say, but, maybe as Special as Barbaro was, he was very special, and i cried buckets when he was ultimatly put down, Nicanor or even Lentenor might be even more special. Everyone seems to think neither might measure up to Barbaro, Whos to say when its all said and done, that it might be Barbaro who didnt measure up. Both of these colts have lots of time to make their marks and it just may end up being an even bigger one then big brother left.

Cool. That's about what I thought was going to happen, that Nicanor's debut would be no sooner than winter/2009. It sounds like he has ability, and it's exciting to hear about him, especially at this time of year. I wish Matz and his team, the Jacksons, and Nicanor the very best.

Dona, you are so right. Michael has called what he has done as light training and trail riding. For all we know, Nicanor could have been zipping down the trail at a nice clip for months now. What everyone knows about Nicanor, except for Michael and his team could fill a library.

Also, no one outside of Fair Hill and insiders really knows what Nicanor looks like. Let's see, how did Michael phrase it, "He’s still growing. He’s got to be at least 16.2-16.3 hands. He’s not as long as Barbaro was, so he is really a big boy. The whole family was that way; they are just late to mature." Micahel is being rather coy as to the information he is giving out. For all we know, Nicanor may only be a couple inches shorter in the length department. In other words, he really isn't telling us a lot. Nicanor may be a little taller than 16.2 or 16.3. Jim Coarse released that photo of Nicanor sleeping in his stall and while Nicanor is certainly adorable in that shot, it doesn't tell us anything.

I also agree with mdfanofracing. Barbaro was very special, and I've always believed that Nicanor and  Lentenor are very special also. Good luck and stay safe Nicanor and Lentenor. The world will soon know as well as this blog just how special you are on the track. We already know that you are really special anyway.

As much as we all love Barbaro and now his younger brothers, Nicanor and Lentenor may surprise us all with the depth of their talent. All the little snippets of information we've received about Nic since May, when put together, suggest that he is a talented colt.  And why wouldn't he be?  It's in his DNA (and probably Lentenor's, too).

are we ready for Nicanor for HOTY 2008?..

STOP IT.

DID WE HAVE A SECRARTRIA'S Bro to watch for. Or any Affirmede's or Alyadars lil bro or respectfully sis there.

lets see how many  more......

Amanda, now that our boy is in Florida for the winter, will the information go on hold?

In all the books I've collected about Barbaro, they took him off the worktab the summer of his 2year old year and hacked him up and down the hills and trails at Fair Hill, too.

Then when he came back to doing workouts, he was better (faster) than ever.  He developed quickly after that.  Same path is being used for Nicanor and this time, they are going to make absolutely sure he is ready to run when the time comes.  

Whoohoo. I was so excited when I got the email about Nic's official work.  Keep up the good work Michael. We are all so proud of the way you are bringing our little man along. It will be a joy to hear of his first race. Stay safe in Florida.

My point was that the AWT surface @ Fair Hill has never yielded bullet times, in my opinion.  We can agree to disagree on whether he has been breezed and not published---I believe his connections are intentionallyy being discreet--if others think he has been jogging on the trails, and jogging on the track once a week, I am fine with that---just don't entirely believe it myself.

Sorry Jim you're on the wrong blog. This is tracking Barbaros brother, or brothers, or any and all information we can gleem about the Dynaformer and La Ville Rouge offspring. We celebrate any and all who come into contact with the the Barbaro family. We're upbeat, postive and devoted. Good luck in finding your interest and if or when you do, I hope you can experience a very diverse level of input like we have.

Amanda,  I want to be one of the first to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and we all will give thanks for the information you get and share with us.

mdfanofracing, I've been mulling over what you said about Barbaro. That in the long run maybe he won't measure up to his brothers. From your finger tips to Gods eyes and ears!!! Wouldn't that be something? However, lets look at what that means. Barbaro was unbeaten, he won on the grass, in the mud and of course on dirt. He won every distance they threw at him, every track and he beat the best of his generation. There's not a doubt in my mind that he wasn't going to win the tripple crown. Jesse Jackson thinks Curlin should be in the top 10 of the 20th century. Dream on Mr Jackson. Curlin is a very nice horse but Curlin couldn't beat John Henry and he's not in the top 10. Native Dancer would laugh! I don't believe for a second Curlin could beat Barbaro. No, I love Nicanor and Lentenor and want them both to be the best. Better than Barbaro? No. Do as well as Barbaro? yeah, maybe. I sure hope so.

I'm glad to hear that Nicanor is still confirmed to be racing. That brings a ton of weight off my shoulders. Take your time, Nicanor. The horse-racing world can wait.

can't wait until he does run.but,i have a feeling the wait will be worth it.

The more I study stats on thoroughbreds I find that nothing is cut and dry in regards to why a horse wins or doesn't win. Perfect Drift has a full brother named Dynacast. He is three years old and has raced three times without winning. Now being a Dynaformer, Dynacast may simply be too immature, or he doesn't like to be saddled, or he may be claustrophobic, or Dr. William A. Reed wants to preserve Perfect Drift's gene pool as P.D. is a gelding.

I will be curious to know how much effort was put into training the full siblings of past superstars, such as Secretariat and Affirmed that have been mentioned in this blog. If they were raced sparingly with no success, and then sidelined, it may not have been because they had no talent.

I believe Nicanor is a superstar in the making because he obviously enjoys being on the track, he enjoys being ridden, he appears to be rather fast and he is big. Nicanor also has the Dynaformer DNA, including the chromosone(s) that disallows any intimidation from other thoroughbreds. And hey, if I am totally and completely wrong in my assessment of Nicanor, Nicanor is still a gorgeous and friendly horse who will find a niche somewhere. He has already found a niche in my heart.  

This latest news is great... I, too, would give a great deal to see a current photo of Nicanor.  I love, (not loved) BARBARO and feel a terrific fondness for his brother.  The Mom, La Ville Rouge, has always been very special, as is Dynaformer.  I believe 17.1 is a perfect height!  I wish this young colt, Mr. Matz, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Peter and hopefully, Edgar Prado the very best one can imagine and dream.  BARBARO will be in my heart forever, but it would be an honor to HIM if his "siblings" prosper and survive.  Good Luck and God Bless...

Yes, Very Happy Thanksgiving to all!  I am very thankful for this blog, it is definately helping to heal.  

Here, here, "Dona" !

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  

And to all who were/are captured by BARBARO and who enjoy the hope and passion that Nicanor, Lentenor and all associated engender, I hope your spirits continue to thrive on the positivity of the possible. May we be thanksful for that.

Until the next entry, picture, stat, or race . . . happy day!

dear nic have a good time in sunny florida i will see you early next yr when you race relax and rest and play with the others good luck to you and stay safe and sound i love you  

Yes, happy Thanksgiving and kudos to one and all for such a great blog. We have much to be thankful for.  

What Carole said struck me!  The younger brothers would honor their legendary older brother by being great racehorses as well and one of them winning the Triple Crown, finally.  How fitting that would be. At the same time, if neither one of them ever races, we/I will love them just as much and still want to see them and perhaps touch them one day.

sandieh that is a sad real story. I am glad your back with the love of  horses. You picked a wonderful family to watch, and heal. Your story is another reason I know Barbaro did not die in vein. So best of luck and cherish all the wonderful memories of your cousin and the horses that filled your lives.

I don't know baout you guys but I'm a huge Barbaro fan and I also love war pass.... what happened to both of them was a shame. IEAH entered a rabbit in the wood to help court vision out and look what happened to war pass... war pass has more speed than big brown and would've won the derby in my opinion... thank god the lapenta camp won the belmont they derserve it they are amazing people.... best of luck to nicanor and mr. matz another amazing person <3

war pass! Don't you know how to read pedigree and heart of a horse. Because I don't see it. Because both trainers LOVE these horses and big brown won because he was ,,,. to...LOVE PAL

May the Heavenly Herd watch over you precious boy and brother of our beloved Barbaro whose sacrifice has saved many horses from the evils of slaughter.

The 3 slaughter houses in the U.S.Have been shut down because of the attention that Barbaro created

His sacrifice has brought Horse Rescue to the forefront.

RobinJude(15 minutes from Pimlico Racetrack)

A grateful FOB!

Let's pray the the Congress will pass the bills we need to protect them even more.

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  

Is 40:31   (NIV)