It was exciting and extremely encouraging to see this work come through on my Virtual Stable. Guess he's getting close to a start. Won't that be something! You just had to believe there was speed in that colt somewhere.  Michael Matz is to be commended for not rushing Nicanor to the races.  

Thank you for the new information.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Way to go Nicanor !, They are starting to push his work-outs, and from the gate, so it is very close to his first race, I cannot wait !, Happy early B-day Nicanor (even though it is really March 15). Remember, Nicanor, Rockland Exacta at Derby...

Nicky, darling, may God bless you with continued good health and speed, we have so much love for you, your family and our "Equine Angel", wish we could have seen that. Simply, awesome!

Also,  I was looking at the Gulfstream Schedule, and I would guess Nicanor's first race, would be either, The SM Dash on Jan. 24., or the Holy Bull race on Jan. 31., We will See.....

This horse is making progress....very impressive.  May Nicanor have a happy life and a safe racing career. I know very little about horses; but I love any and all animals. May God bless you Nicanor...

Would love to see Nicky run in the Holy Bull. Our beloved Barbaro won the Holy Bull, wish you success, Nicky, whatever you do!!!!!!

Oh boy, I love seeing that he has had such a great work.

His first race will be absolutely amazing, lets all pray he'll make it saftly to the racetrack.

...and safely home from the track.  God, please bless this most precious boy and keep him safe and sound.

Greg J & sandieh:  I think there's no way Matz debuts this horse in a stakes race.  The GP condition book shows two maiden races around one turn: 6.5f on 1/14 & 7f on 1/24.  I'd look for him in one of those two races, more likely 1/24.

BTW, I'm sure you all watched the local Miami TV piece about Nicanor.  Matz says he's always looking for another Barbaro, but "I haven't seen one yet".

36.5 from the gate is promising though...

Good luck, Nicanor!

May the spirit of Barbaro be with

you always.

Good job Nicky!!

Second, he most likely won't race in the holy bull or the Dash. he has to break his maiden first, and that would be doing some big crunch time in less than a month.. that's not Matz's style..

"And he's off ....." I'm so in love with Nicanor just like I loved the beautiful and "sublime" Barbaro (and still love him). But Nicanor is his own talented, beautiful boy and I will pray everyday for his success and safety.

I hope he does well! This has really made my day because I really have become interested in Nicanor recently.

I doubt he'll make it to the Holy Bull. In Ireland horses usually race in a maiden race then gradually move up the ranks. Maybe its different in America. But I expect Nicanor to race in a Maiden Special Weight and then move up! Good luck Nicanor!!!!!!!! And Happy new year everyone!

Yes! Way to go little buddy, this is exactly the kind of thing to show everyone how great you truly are!  Based on the fact that he started from the gate and gave such a good work, I'd say he is very near to his first race.  Matz is doing very well with not rushing him, and I bet Nicky will show everyone what benefits that has given him some afternoon in January(I bet!)

I to received notification yesterday from Virtual Stables  that Nicanor had a workout. Any good news about Nicanor is great news to me. I am hoping the best for Nicanor in his racing career. Happy New Year to all.

This is very exciting! I was suprised to see this workout when it came because it wasn't that long ago he had his 5 furlong work. That is a really good time, considering he did it handily.

Very encouraging news!  Go Nicanor!

Whatever the race !!!  It's just so very exciting.  

And to see Nicanor's progress, you have to wonder if Matz and Brette have intentionally been controlling Nicanor's speed.  Remember in the Miami TV piece, Michael said that it's very much the family, that they are competitive and want to do more than they should at that time.  So I am certain Michael Matz has been keeping strong control over the condition and pacing of Nicanor -- as I am sure he has on all of his trainees.  But Nicanor certainly has many many loving eyes on him, and expectations that would be hard for any horse to fill.  

That said, I still have a sneaking feeling that there is more to Nicanor . . . and that Matz and Brette would prefer to keep a tight hold on Nicanor's progress as well as our perception of Nicanor's talent.

May it be all come together for Nicanor with his soundness and good fortune before and after every race.

The best of New Year's to you all!  May 2009 be a year where we as a nation and people reboot, renew, rediscover and rebuild !!!

ljk, thanks for the heads-up on those maiden races at Gulfstream.  Wouldn't it be nice if on the second unhappy anniversary of Barbaro's passing we could say, "but five days ago Nicanor broke his maiden!"  I'll be hoping for that January 24 race.  I think when Michael Matz says he hasn't found another horse like Barbaro he is being honest and realistic about Nicanor, and I thank him for that.  It's nice to see a good fast work, thanks for the good news and Happy New Year to all Fans of Barbaro.    

God pray for safe and souness! He is a special boy and I have his darling bath photo as the wallpaper on my computer.  Can't wait to watch his first start.

Karen, I, too, think that Michael is downplaying his  expectations for Nicanor in order to suppress ours.  He cannot possibly think Nicanor is not very talented, or why would they be training him still?  His works are in line with his brother's, so, that is encouraging.  He is big, strong, and probably very talented in his own right.  His competitive spirit is another indicator.  His pedigree is, too.

Hmm.....so far so good.  Best wishes to Michael Matz and the Barbaro/Nicanor team for the New Year.

Most of these comments are ridiculous.  

His career debut will come in a maiden special weight, not the Holy Bull or Sunshine Millions Dash (which is not even eligible for being a KY-bred).  

Just enjoy watching him run, he doesn't need any added expectations.

Right on, Marigold !!!  GO NICANOR GO !!!!!!

Maiden Special Weight for sure.  Will most likely be a tough race with the elite trainers that are at GS during the Winter meet. Probably alot tougher than a Deleware Park or even Laurel feild would have been.

HEY BISHOP DON:

SO YOU ARE ALREADY AN EXPERT ON NICANOR? YEAH,GOOD LOOK WITH THAT,LOL!

Way to go Nicanor!You are the breath of fresh air we all need in 2009.

With lots of love, Nicky, and wishes for a safe and successful first race,

Yeah our Nicky has to break his maiden first, no big races until then but regardless I think Michael is downplaying Nick, wouldn't you if you were his trainer.  He shows ability but you must realize that most of Dynaformers foals do better as they age and he is still young, with the exception of our Barbaro. But still don't care if he runs last in his first outing as long as he stays safe.

I can't wait to see this big guy in the races!! I hope they have big plans for him in the future like maybe the Breeder's Cup or Kentucky Derby.

sounds like nicanor's doing great. look forward to watching him race.

Great workout. Th Jacksons must be excited.

Man O' War made his first start in the Preakness as a 3 year old, but he had run as a two year old. Nicanor is impressive, but the window of opportunity to run in the triple crown is nearly closed. I hope Michael isn't doomed to repeat the past...he's doing exactly what he did with Barbaro, and that is worrisome. I think Nicanor is good enough to take the Triple Crown, but he needs races to do that. Let's hope he can keep going.

Folks stop getting upset about what some people may say let the horse continue to progress he will run when MR MATZ thinks he should. it will be nice to see how he runs and comes back after the race . HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE..

Mike, Bishop Don is just being realistic in the way that thoroughbreds progress, they run in maiden races (yes, even the all time greats from Secretariat to Holy Bull to Barbaro), then move on to stakes races or, more likely, allowance races (and he is correct about the SMD, it is only open to CA and FL breds)... I can appreciate being a fan, but think realisticly about this horse, he is making nice progression, but is far from being a world beater (as his work-mate Ice something-or-other's debut at Keeneland showed)... I hope he turns out to be a nice horse, but one thing to keep in mind, at the very least, is that no siblings have ever won the Kentucky Derby, so, we should just hope that this horse has a nice, productive career

Any longer races for a maiden in January?  I think this horse will be one for longer distances.  What other tracks are nearby?  They may have him debut somewhere else.

I am so excited about Nicanor, as it is so difficult for a horse to even make it to the race track.  One step at a time.  Let's let Nicanor find his own path.

Breaking from the gate and showing real speed, way to go big guy! Sounds like a maiden special weight is going to be real soon. I think it will be a 5.5f turf sprint. Seems like 6.5 or 7f is a hard distance for first timers and can take a lot out of them. Something nice and easy to build his confidence and leave room to stretch out later sounds more like Michael Matz. Anyway we can suppose and guess-ta-mate all we want, after all nobody knows for sure but Michael and he ain't talking. Happy New Year to all of you, to all of Nicanor and Lentenor's handlers and family and to you Aduckworth for a job well done. May we all have a safe and peaceful new year.

 Good to hear the great news on Nicanor's latest work. Our boy seems to be getting close to a race soon. I agree with DONA, it may be a turf race. Wasn't Barbaro pretty good on turf??

 ACE HARE just because siblings have never won the Kentucky Derby certainlt does'nt mean it can't happen. If not Nick it could be Lentenor. Never let the fleme of hope die out. I for one believe it is possible.

Barbaro's maiden was a mile on turf. And since Michael Matz is truly mum on what he is up to with Nicanor, Nicanor's maiden could be anything up to and including 1 mile. I've said this before, I don't believe the Jackson's would waste money training Nicanor to be a race horse, if Nicanor didn't have some or a lot of potential. As time goes on, I am speculating less on how Nicanor will do and wondering more what Michael Matz is up to. I for one believe that M.M. is holding back a tad.

HEY ACE:

YOU SOUND LIKE YOU ARE BISHOP'S DEFENSE LAWYER OR SOMETHING. FIRST,I DON'T KNOW REGARDING YOU OR HIM,BUT I HAPPEN TO OWN A FEW RACEHORSES THAT RACE IN FLA. SO I THINK I COULD HAVE INSIGHT IN WHAT I'M SAYING. PEOPLE SHOULD THINK BEFORE THEY SPEAK!!!

ace, his name is ice road

I'm so proud of our boy.  He's progressing right along.  Can't wait to see him race.  M. Matz is doing a great job with Nicanor.  A very healthy and prosperous New Year to our Nicky and his family.

I will agree with Kathy..it would be unlike Lael to put alot of resources into claiming level horses.  It appears that their interests are best served with a lower volume higher level roster.  However, maybe they are more leniant given the sentimental value that Barbaro's siblings hold.  I am sure Man in Havana could have been a 20 or 30k claimer, but Lael didn't send him to the track.  "Not wanting to race"  means different things to different owners.  It would be hard to think that Lael would continue to train the horse if there wasn't a good foundation for him to get to the stakes level, at some point.

Now that I have put more thought into where Nicanor will be placed (yes, dreaming), maybe a mile on turf will be more like it. He would be up against real speed burners in a 5.5f race and that's not his forte, also in 6.5 or 7f is where they usually place horses that lack distance potential. That's usually a true milers prep distance. We know Nicanor is not in that catagory, he was bred to run all day. A mile sounds perfect, gives him a breather if theres a rabbit in the race and also gives his team a chance to see if he will rate. We don't know if he has tactical speed like Barbaro and that's one of the main things I will be watching for. That workout from the gate suggests that he has.  To all the nay sayers out there, please leave this blog for all the well wishers and devotees of Dynaformer and La Ville Rouge's family. There are plenty of places to tout your opinion on the pros and cons of potential winners and to bad mouth those that you deem losers. This blog is for Nicanor and he is not a loser and will never be one. Whether he wins or losses all of his races remains to be seen and we are united in our opinion that he is special, no matter what happens. We just hope he does it all and then some. What's wrong with hoping for a litte luck and happiness for the Jacksons and all of their connections?   BRING ON 2009!!!

Kathy, I believe you are absolutely correct in what you've just said.  You make more sense than the rest of us combined.  I believe Nicanor has more potential than Michael is willing to say, since you can't really tell what a horse will do until he is actually in racing conditions and the gate has opened.  The pressure must be absolutely enormous,especially since Nicanor is one of many horses that Michael is training and all their owners are hopeful that they've got racehorses in their barns.  Nicanor has an entire nation of fans following and hoping for him and Michael and Peter have been more htan kind to let us have the information they have.  

Sandy - Thanks, couldn't find that program with his name and couldn't quite remember it.

Donna - I never said it couldn't be done, hell, I thought that Tiago would be able to do it. And, it was never meant to demean the prospects of Nicanor, rather, just one of the things to keep in mind while building expectations for the horse.

Mike - Take your caps off, you seem angry that you really don't know anything. It sounds like, in your "expert" opinion, he should make his debut in the Blue Grass en route to the Derby. You put forth two totally unrealistic debut options for him (one of which he is not even eligible for) and purport to be "in the know" because you own a couple of horses? Do you just bypass maiden races for your horses, as well? I don't know the other guy from Adam, but I can tell that you know next to nothing.

And I am really pulling for Nicanor to run well, he could be a big time stakes horse or a mid-level claimer, just as long as he finds his niche and stays healthy enough for us to enjoy him.

I'm getting more and more excited!

2nd fastest is good! As long as he IS the fastest in a race! lol.

"handily" is good right? That means it was a fast work, right?

Amanda, is there a chance that you can tell us any information about the racing debut that he is approaching.  Also thanks for the information Amanda it is great to know that Nicanor did a workout while using a gate which means that he is a true racehorse ready to race.

This is, by far, the most amusing set of responses I've ever read from a blog.  We've got one character, Mr. Relva, who is looking for a unraced KENTUCKY-bred to run in a race restricted to FLORIDA and CALIFORNIA-breds.  Now, I haven't had a geography class since 9th grade or so, but I do remember that KENTUCKY is not FLORIDA or CALIFORNIA.  Oh, and how many thoroughbreds 9f G3 stakes?  None.  You claim to own horses?  Yea, right...Mike Relva is quite a few apples short of a bushel.  

In all reality, Nicanor will start in a maiden special weight race against other horses who've never won a race.  Matz will probably find an 8f race for him, as his pedigree suggests he wouldn't excel sprinting but should do better going longer.  He may or may not win, but it's important to try and not to attach too many expectations to this horse.  

He doesn't know he's Barbaro's brother - he knows eat, sleep, run, drink, and play.  He doesn't know what his brother did, what his trainer has done, or how revered his owners are.  He doesn't know the difference between the Kentucky Derby and a $42,000 maiden race, and he never will.  The odds are so stacked against him even making the Derby at this point, his fans might be better off removing that goal from their horizons with this colt...it'll take something VERY abnormal and unrealistic for that to happen.  In actuality, the idea of him even running in a stakes race is statistically a longshot.  The majority of horses never do.  

Has anyone ever heard of Aristocrat?  He's the full brother to Ghostzapper, who is arguably the most talented horse of the millennium.  While Ghostzapper won Grade 1's and set stakes/track records, Aristocrat was an allowance horse at best.  It's a long enough shot having an elite thoroughbred...it's a much longer shot to have lightning strike twice.  Nicanor might turn out to be a very nice colt, or he might turn out to be an allowance horse.  Love him for what he is, not who he's related to.  

happy new year! to the jacksons, to everyone connected to this blog, la ville rouge, dynaformer, nicky and lennie, young fellows, your brother is surely proud, whatever you do. may god bless all of our "angels"

Looks like a real hard hitter. Go Nickie GO!!!!

Dona, it looks like your preferred race is coming up on January 22nd.

Four one mile and up MSW turf races in January:

1/8  *8f at Tam

1/10 8.5f at GP

1/22 8f  at GP

1/22 *8.5 at Tam

Mr & Mrs Jackson & Michael Matz...

Please consider entering Nicanor to run his first race, on the turf, @ Tampa Bay Down's. As you know, TBD turf course is considered Excellent by most Horseman & Women. Cannot say the same about Gulfstream's Turf Course. Good Luck, whatever the choice.

Clearwater Charlie

Good point, on that Man in Havana's not in racing. Nicky might not win the derby or any massive race, but if he didn't want to be there he wouldn't be there, they're sensible people. Pretty boy's got potential as a stallion, if nothing else.

That being said, I honestly hope he does well and stays sound through his career. He and Lentenor -- and the new colt, whenever he comes along! It sounds like he's doing nicely so far, and I like that I'm hearing about more works from him. Our little boy's growing up, isn't he? :)

He might have potential for the triple crown, who knows, but it's not going to shine through if he's rushed. Michael knows what he's doing, I'll wager. They came to him for a reason, after all! Maybe he might only race a few times before next spring and summer. All /I'm/ going to hope is that he stays sound, myself.

Also, there's a line between being totally realistic about the situation and expecting too much of the little guy. I know, I know, nobody EXPECTS it, but still. Steady goes it, I don't think anybody here means any offense by what they say. It's one thing to say that he might win the Derby some day (I know in my heart that he could, but so could every other two year old out there if they're fit and want to run), but quite another to...I don't know how to phrase it. Maybe expect so much of him? But that's not it...eh. As close as I can manage. He looks like a fine horse, he really does. And from the signs, he's set up to BE a fine horse. We just have to wait and see if he takes it. :)

A mile for a first race, really? I watch all of Barbaro's old races sometimes (bad habit, I know) in a marathon...I never noticed that his first was a whole mile. My goodness. I mean, I guess if you've been working the horse all this time like he seems to be getting it would make sense that he could run further than your normal maiden, but somehow the idea didn't even occur to me. I'd like to see how he'd do with something like that.

...but then, mostly I'd just like to see him run. ;)

DONNA, Barbaro was very good on the turf, many people believe he was even better on the turf, than on dirt. Can you believe that, kinda sounds like Secretariat.

Lets see some recent pictures of our friend!!

IM SO EXCITED, I HAVE A VERY STRONG FEELING NICKY WILL BE RACING WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. THE FOLOWING I C&P FROM AN ARTICLE I READ IN THE DRF THIS MORNING. IT WAS WRITEN BY MARTY MCGEE ON 01/01/2009 REGARDING THE LACK OF TALENT AT THE FLORIDA TRACKS THIS SEASON.(TITLED: FLA 3 YR OLD RANKS A BIT THIN)

Among the many possible sleepers (FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY)are a pair of McLaughlin horses, A.P. Cardinal and Mr. Fantasy, as well as Nicanor, an unraced full brother to Barbaro whose Palm Meadows work pattern suggests he is close to his debut for owner-breeder Lael Stables and trainer Michael Matz.

YAY !

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF EDGAR PRADO HAS BEEN RETAINED TO RIDE NICANOR? IF SO, HAS BE BEEN ABOARD FOR ANY WORKS?

HEY ART:

I THINK YOU SHOULD GET YOUR FACTS IN ORDER BEFORE YOU GO RUNNING OFF AT THE MOUTH JUST TO GET ATTENTION. FIRST,I COULD CARE LESS IF YOU BELIEVE THAT I OWN HORSES,WHAT YOUR OPIONION IS REGARDING MY BUSINESS IS NO CONSEQUENCE TO ME,NOT EVEN A SMALL RIPPLE! SECOND,I NEVER SUGGESTED THAT NICANOR SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT RUN HERE NOR THERE. FOR YOU TO ALREADY TO EXCLUDE HIM FROM THE DERBY IS WAY PREMATURE,CAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL! YES,GHOSTZAPPER WAS A GREAT HORSE,BUT MANY WERE AND ARE JUST AS TALENTED.

ACE:

YOU ARE MAKING YOURSELF LOOK VERY FOOLISH! I NEVER STATED THAT NICANOR RUN HERE OR THERE. I SAID THAT I THINK I HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE W/RACEHORSES,BECAUSE I DEAL WITH THEM AS A HOBBY. I COULD CARE LESS WHAT YOU THINK OR DON'T THINK OF ME.ALSO,IF YOU DON'T LIKE CAPS,THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM!

Edgar never worked Barbaro.  He asked to, but Michael insisted that that was Peter's job exclusively.  Can anyone explain why? Is there some benefit to having the exercise rider and the jockey be two separate individuals?

MDFOR - that does sound promising... I have Matz and Nicanor in my Virtual Stable... so as soon as it's announced... yippee!!

I just want him to be first, sound and happy... and if exceptional performance comes with that... well all the better....

But we are all allowed to dream...:)

Does everyone have TVG programed on their TV's?

  MDFAN, I saw that same article this morning. What a surprise and thrill it was to Nicanor's name mentioned. Perhaps we're not the only ones who are seeing his potential. GOOOO NICANOR!!!

Don't get too excited people, he's had only 1 5/8 work, horses need 2-3 of them and it doesn't hurt to throw a 6 furlong work in there to boot. He's a good ways off yet. Not to mention, there is no consistency in his works yet, if you're getting a horse to the races, they need to work every 5-6 days, not once every 2 weeks.

ljk - thanks for the list of possibles for January but until we hear of a 6f work fron Nicanor, I don't believe we will see him in a maiden race this month. I could be wrong but it seems like they will build him up a little more. If we see anything around the 10th and the time and distance is good then, yes, he could run on the 22nd. I doubt it. I'm thinking early February. Now what Michael Matz is thinking is something else.

new article out about Nicanor in the TB Times.  Michael said he is good at the gate, competitive and can run on any surface.  They are looking at the end of the month if all goes well.

Every once in a while, someone comes along, Art in this case, and brings up some very valid points, and brings a dilagent perspective on expectations for a just turned 3 year old.  However, the only challenge presented to Nicanor as it pertains to any triple crown campaign is that he is 1 of 30,000 3 year olds vying for 20 spots,  THAT'S IT.  It is the same odds that every other 3 year old faces in early January.  History would tell you that the so called proven 2 year olds like Square Eddie & Midshipman this year, usually have faded by May.  For every Barbaro or Street Sense that do well as both a 2 and three year old, there is a Big Brown that was claimed for 16k @ 2 or a Funny Cide who was already gelded.  The fact that Nicanor is unraced is meaningless as the overwhelming majority of graded stakes earnings potential for derby qualifying doesn't even come into play until mid March.  Two months for horses of this level of maturity might as well be light years, you just don't know.  Yes, Ghostzapper, Sectratariat, Seattle Slew, Smarty Jones, ect. all had full siblings yada, yada, yada.  The only stats at this point that are relevant are those of his sire, and bloodstock, which are proven.  It is correct that 20 in 30,000 are long odds, but it is the same as all other 3 year olds--no better no worse.  The fact that he had a talented brother is not measurable, but the bloodstock, as its own variable is.

Barbaro's death still stings.

In fact, every day I dust off my Maker's Mark Commemorative Ky Derby Bottle with Barbaro's name listed on the front of the bottle denoting his '06 Derby win on the label, Edgar Prado's autograph next to Barbaro's name. Wow, what a momento! I'll certainly never open that bourbon.

I hope Nicanor can pull off what Barbaro unfortunately couldn't, but Mr. Prospector grandsons bear the trait of weak ankles. I wonder if Barbaro's cremains will be laid to rest on his April 29th birthday, at Churchill Downs beneath his massive bronze statue?

Let's hope the media hypes it enough; It's great that I may see Nicanor's name on the Ky Derby '09 roster, but let's all honor his big brother on the day Barbaro is laid to rest this year at Churchill. Let's hope the powers that be remembered to place Barbaro's favorite treat, Lael Farm grass, somewhere near the statue.

Has the 2-year old brother started up under saddle yet?  Do you know when he will?

I read a lot of you expect Nicanor to start in big races right off the bat.  Please don't be disappointed if he doesn't--very few horses do, even the very best.

The usual progression will be for a first-time starter to run in a sprint race whether he is a sprinter or not.  That race will likely be won by a sprinter with a few starts under his belt.  Generally, a horse can not get "race fit" from works in the morning.  It takes a race or two to get that fitness.  Even a true two-turn horse will not be fit enough to get the distance (two turns) in his first race.

Nicanor's first race will likely be a Maiden Special Weight.  It might take him many races before he understands what racing is about.  Don't be disappointed if it does.  Does anyone remember how greenly Curlin ran in his Kentucky Derby?

There is a famous adage (can't remember which trainer said it) that went something like:  I try to keep the best of company and my horses in the worst (of company).  There is a lot of wisdom in that statement.  When you don't over match your young horses, they become more confident.  Confidence can beat a better horse that lacks it.

FOR AREM

Breezing is best.  Breezing means he did it without encouragement and very easily.  Handily means he needed some encouragement to run.  Don't read too much into that "Handily" designation.  It is a judgment call by the clockers.

He might have been considered to have worked "handily" because he was hustled out of the gate.  It is really hard for big, gangly youngsters to get their legs under them and out the gate running.  I thought he looked like a big gangly colt in the recent pictures.

He might have needed encouragement to keep going in a straight line.  There are all kinds of reasons his work would be classed as handily.

Almost all my horse's works last year (as a 2-year old) were classed as handily.  He won his last two races of the year, one a maiden special weight and the other a $125,000 stakes race.

I have to agree with BishopDon. Most of you people sound like a bunch of crackpots.  Get over it, this horse is NOT Barbaro. Pray for people in need instead of a horse that is perfectly fine and happy. Find something else to obsess over!

A belated Happy New Year to All of Nicanor's friends & family. Also, Aduckworth, you get a huge Thank You for your work on this Blog !, To the few people that feel like leaving negative comments, This is not the place for you and all of Nicanor's followers should ignore these people, and last, I hope Nicanor remains a hope for all, and He will prove that his Big Brother, Barbaro, Will look over him in whatever he does on and off the track, Godspeed Nicanor.....

JeezLouse, that was a little harsh.

I agree most of the people who comment on the blog have very little inside knowledge of how to prepare a horse to race, but isn't it great there are real fans?  How could they know what goes on on the backside unless someone who does shares have the knowledge shares it.

The Thoroughbred industry NEEDS fans to fall in love and follow horses, whether the horse be a claimer or a Derby winner.

Instead of patronizing, wouldn't it be better for the sport to nurture these fans?

Ah Brettzky, I could listen to what you have to say all day.  A positive, knowledgeable voice1  A reasoned, logical one, as well.

On another site, we were told that "handily" meant easily, the horse could have done more but was not asked to.

Can someone clarify, please?

JEEZLOUISE:

I THINK THE TERM,"CRACKPOT" IS A LITTLE HARSH! I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ANYONE ELSE,BUT I'M A REALIST AND DON'T EXPECT NICANOR TO BE A MIRROW IMAGE OF BARBARO!

Amanda, thanks very much.  I'm learning every day.  A lot of us have a misconception about the term "handily".  A lot of horse people over on the rescue site think it meant without much effort.

From the glossary - HANDILY- Working or racing with moderate effort, but more effort than breezing.

My understanding is that it means he ran with basically the jockey's two hands on the lead the whole way.  No whips etc...

   GOOD LUCK NICANOR!!!!