Amanda, thanks for the information on Nicanor´s workout on turf.  To me it seems that Nicanor might be both good on both dirt and turf.  But for the moment I think that he will do better racing better on dirt.  But that workout that he did is still pretty good that I think.  Thanks again for the update Amanda.

First start in 2009 and first start on turf, looks like they are seeing if he likes the turf, I love turf racing!

So very exciting.  My heart leaps into my mouth when I get Nicanor notifications.

thanks for the info! Barbaro's first two races were on turf and Michael had said it seemed that Nicanor looked like he could handle different surfaces. Very exciting!!

Nice Workout this AM. If Peter Brette came back from the work & told Michael that Nicanor breezed nicely & handled the Turf @ the Palm Meadows Training Center well, Michael would IMHO, run Nic in his first race on January 22th, either on Gulfstream Turf @ MSW, 1 Mile or @ Tampa Bay Down's @MSW, 1 1/16 on the Turf. If its TBD, then I will be there & root for a safe trip & a winning trip. GO NICANOR GO....

Clearwater Charlie & Tommy

Giddyup!  This horse is going to special..

That's interesting. There are quite a few Dynaformers who've done well on the turf, McDynamo was a great steeplechaser. After seeing the photos of Nicanor's feet, he looks like he'd probably do very well on turf.

five furlongs in 1:04.5? I predict a brilliant career at Penn National or Charlestown.

Over on The Thoroughbred Times website, trainer Michael Matz was quoted as saying that if all continues to go well, Nicanor might be ready for his first start by the end of this month.

sounds like nicanor's doing really well, and learning versatility,which will sere him well.

I believe Mr. Matz may be "tightening" Nicanor up by giving him a turf workout or two!

Many horses like coming off the "turf" and back to the dirt.  For some reason they run better.

Could we be looking at a maiden special dirt race in three weeks?

TOMF-if you truly knew anything about training horses you would know that works are not about how fast a horse goes in the morning but rather about knowing how fast and far he is ready to go come race day. Additionally the 'dogs up' means that the workout distance was probably closer to 5 1/2 furlongs. I believe that the sky's the limit for Nicanor and that he will never see the likes of Penn National or Charlestown. It appears to me that Nicanor is doing very well with his training and it is refreshing to see that Nicanor's owners are actually allowing Mr. Matz to take his time with the colt. Especially in this economy that is a rarity.

I did not mean anything against CT or Penn. I have raced horses at those tracks myself but I have never been blessed with a horse anything like Nicanor.

Im so happy to hear that Nicanor is getting used to all different surfaces and hes doing great! I can't wait for his maiden. He's going to be a star

I don't know much about horse racing. I just love horses, Barbaro being one of the ones I loved the most. Nicanor and Lentenor, as his full brothers, will always have a special place in my heart, win or lose. But at this time when Jan 29th is so near and my heart is breaking again, hearing about how well Nicanor is doing is bringing a smile to my face so thank you Nicanor and be safe and healthy and I'm looking forward to seeing you race soon.

Come on guys! It was a little joke. lol. I hope Nicanor does well whereever he runs. Tom F, that was a good one... lol. If it was without the "dogs" I'd say.."Ohhhh boy"..... Ha Ha. Too bad we can't get a video of his works.......

TomF- the key word is BREEZING. Im 15 but I do know that a breeze is a workout at moderate speed. Moderate. I highly doubt the Jacksons would spend a lot of money and get everyones hopes up if he is a claimer. Yeah, he may flop but they must have some idea of his potential by now. If he ws bad they wouldnt risk injuring him

for the peeps that want to know about the workout at palm meadows on the grass it was very good the dogs were 80 ft off the rail. he looked awesome. the last eighth was very sharp

I hope the same people who post on this board also bet races.

Nicanor will be odds on and up the track. Hopefully I can just find the winner in the race he loses.

good luck nicanor in whatever you do! be safe! i know you'll be great,3

this horses talent is limited. well thats what i heared from a very good source. my source has connections with the horse. his workouts are nothing special. SO FAR hes shown to be nothing special. just a horse with really good bloodlines.

Terrific Nic ~!!!

Feel like we really know this special boy

So glad to hear he has finally tried turf.

Just love hearing how this horse is doing!  That was a great work on the turf around the dogs--he is really coming into his own.  Looking forward to his first start and hoping that he has a safe career.  He's something special even if he never races and/or never wins....

Ted, you are so on it. we see time and again that some trainers will mix up a horses work pattern and the horse seems to improve. Athletes do it all the time and anyone going to the gym knows if you change your workouts, you build more muscle mass and improve flexibility. Michael Matz is preparing Nicanor for something real soon. This change-up in Nicanor's works is the sign we've been waiting for.  Majella, you are right about The Jacksons and the effort put forth for Nicanor's benefit, they wouldn't take a chance with him if he didn't have potential. You sound very level headed and mature for a 15yr old, something some of our commentators seem to lack.    

Barbaro raced on the turf first and then made the transition to dirt.  I believe Edgar Prado was quoted as saying that Barbaro had better acceleration on the grass.  And look what he accomplished on dirt!

I'd love for NICANOR and LENTENOR to be raced exclusively on turf, at least until late in their 3y.o. season.  I recall BARBARO's career prior to his Preakness breakdown and wonder:  What if he'd stayed on the lawn?

If NIC wins his maiden race on turf, how about pointing for the Colonial Downs turf stakes (Turf Cup/Virginia Derby) leading into the Secretariat at Arlington Park, and then going for the bonus in the BC Turf at Santa Anita.  I'd ideally want them to wait until age 4 to run on dirt, ONLY ONE RACE, and then back to the turf.  Great turf horses like Exceller, John Henry, and Perrault showed that older horses can run brilliantly on dirt in the right spots.

I want this family to stay healthy so badly...I think a turf campaign until their legs mature would be prudent in light of BARBARO's unfortunate demise.

Most "good" horses work with times in the top half of the horses that work at the distance.  They just naturally go faster than the rest.

Some trainers want slow works.  Others aim for very fast works.  All trainers want their charges to do the works easily and well within themselves.  I don't know Matz' philosophy about works, never having followed one of his trainees before.  Nor have I ever seen Nicanor work.

This horse doesn't appear to be showing a lot in the morning.  That's not to say he won't in the afternoon, but I think based on his works and work schedule, the KD is out of the question.

Many on this blog seem to think that being a claiming horse is being a failure as a racehorse.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The claiming races are a way to sort horses out so they all run against horses of equal ability.  A racing secretary will consider his race a big success if all the competitors finish in a dead heat.

Not all horses can compete with Secretariat, but they can all race like Secretariats in the afternoon IF they are entered in races where they belong.

Some have expressed a feeling that the owners would not have the horse in training unless he had a lot of talent.  Unfortunately, one never knows how much talent (in the afternoon) a horse has until he is tested, and to get to a test--a race--requires a lot of time and training.  The Green Monkey is a perfect illustration of spending a lot on a horse who couldn't run.

Very few horses ever make it to the top echelons of racing.  I think only about 5% of all foals born ever become stakes winners. Dynaformer produces 9% of stakes winners from foals which are excellent stats.  That means that 91% of the breeders who paid his $150,000 stud fee don't get a stakes winner.

We'll all have a better idea of his talent after his first few races.

I hope everyone still follows and loves Nicanor should he not the super star everyone dreams of.

It would be interesting to see the workout times that Barbaro posted as a two and three year old to see if there is any corelation between Nicanor's times and Barbaros times. Michael Matz said in the video that everything came so easily to Barbaro. And apparently this is not the case with Nicanor. Now having said this, the question is where does Nicanor rate in the horse world. If Nicanor isn't a Seattle Slew, is he a Curlin? Nicanor may not fully mature until he is four.

There is a lot of speculation on Nicanor from both sides of the racetrack, but I don't hear Michael or Peter saying a whole lot. I still believe that if Nicanor didn't have potential, Nicanor would be put out to stud unraced to protect the gene pool. With Lentenor and  LVR in foal, there really isn't any reason to run the risk of injury to Nicanor if he isn't going to be a stakes horse as I can't believe that the Jackson's would place Nicanor in a claiming race. The Jackson's knew fairly quickly that Man In Havana didn't have what it takes and they found him a different job. I believe Nicanor will do just fine.

 JAJ, I think most of the people on this blog are very well aware that Nicacnor may not live up to their expectations of being another Barbaro. I know I am aware of it. Most have been so saddened by Barbaro's loss that feel Nicanor and Lentenor are their connections to him and are hopeing one or both will carry on his legacy. If not, we all want the best for both of them and they will be precious to us no matter what their racing careers may bring.

I'm still betting on 1/24 @ 7f on the main track.

Kathy, i beleive you're second paragraph pretty much sums it up=) the closest one that i agree with at least.

Barbaro didn't become known in the RACING public's eyes until his third start. Why? he is pretty much like Barbaro. Matz and the Jacksons talk about how THEY knew how much potential he had...not some 'source' who works in the same barn. His works were not speed, just letting him mature, like Matz is doing. Putting a young horse on different surfaces strengthens them. gives them something new to look at and feel.

As for whoever said that Barbaro should have stayed on turf, he wouldn't have gotten hurt...that's speculation that is still the "What if's..." it doesn't do Nic any good. it doesn't do anyone any good to ponder. Barbaro was an athlete, as is Nic. Eight belles was an athlete, as is the local Claimer.

When the whole idea of racing or sports starts clicking with Nicanor, no-one's gunna stop our big-footed snipped-nose horse=) just like McDynamo.

I wish Nicanor well with all my heart, and pray that his connections will do the very best they can for him.

I'd love to hear more about the personality differences between Barbaro and Nicanor. For me, it's not just about his racing ability. And yes, I will love him, win or lose. To those who say his works aren't fast--neither were Rags to Riches works. We've all seen what that magnificent mare accomplished.

Kathy from Toledo

Dona, thanksthat means a lot. I just hate when people knock the horses chances. I doubt he'll make it to the Triple Crown races but he could still be excellent- look at Zenyatta. Nobody knows how good or bad Nicanor is so people shouldn't jump to conclusions. And to the person who has a "well connected source" who is this well connected source?

Yeah, who IS the "well connected source??"  Other connected sources have said just the opposite.  We'll just have to see for ourselves, when he inally does get to the track.

Kathy, Very well said, I also believe the Jackson's & Michael know what they are doing, and would never sacrifice Nicanor & Lentenor's Soundness by letting them race if they were not 110 percent ready and willing. Also, Love the new artwork for the brother' Blog.....Good Job Aduckworth

Hi all i think the 24th will make every happy it's a guess butt ha ha a good one he will do right

I am a horse facing fan who doesn't bet. I simply enjoy watching the races very much and seeing these georgeous animals run. I also enjoy reading this blog and sharing it with other family members and friends who also enjoy it. At the same time, like some of the other readers who have voiced an opinion, I'm really curious and looking forward to learning more little details about Nicanor's personality as well as Lentenor's, what particular activities they especially like or dislike as race horses, and in what ways their pesonalities and preferences are similar or very different from Barbaro's.  

Man, as much as I wish the horse the best in his racing career and future ventures, I hope he takes in a boat-load of money and runs off the board and I catch an overlay in his maiden race, LOL! But if Nic happens to win as an odds on choice, this blog is gonna be going bananas of what's to become of his next start! I wonder if Matz will point him towards a start in Tampa rather than GP........

Look for him to be run on the Sunshine Millions undercard at Gulfstream.  Just a guess, but there are a couple of maiden races that day for him to run in.

JAL - I don't know about "most good horses being in the top group of workout times". I know for a fact Curlin never showed his potential for speed untill he broke his maiden. Seemed to have talent to looky loos but only Helen Pitts and her crew knew how he was progressing and even they were surprised at his first race. Neither Michael Matz nor any of his people are going to say exactly how much potentail Nicanor has. First of all, nobody wants to be put on the spot and secondly, what if the horse doesn't get the idea untill a race or two. People that are adept at really judging talent will see something in a horse that most people won't. That's why someone will come up with a real winner that everyone else passed on for various reasons. Curlin had bucked shins and didn't meet his asking price at auction but Helen Pitts put a years work into him and now his new connections take credit for his accomplishments like they had everything to do with it.  I don't think Curlin would be where he is today  without the patience and care from Helen and her crew. A lot of Barbaro's connections said they never knew he would be as good as he was and thats to their credit. Antbody can claim credit of hindsight which a lot of people do. However, the record is clear, some knowledgeble people saw the potentail in Barbaro before the press and trackside onlookers. I remember how he was discounted for greatness because of his high leg action during his workouts, and this was from many who certainly have the experience and  know how to warrant their opinions. They were wrong. WE all know of horses that are barn burners in the morning but turn into plow horses later in the day and then some of the great ones don't like working in the morning but once the saddle goes on and the riders are up, their personalities change drastically. Its all business with them, they know the difference. Personalities seems to have a great deal to do with their performance, just as the likes of us. One of my favorite pictures is the "savage". Crafty Prospector wasn't going to let his rival pass him even if he had to bite him. You gotta love that kind of attitude. He didn't know he was doing wrong, he just wanted to be first. Also wanted to mention that on the blog about Brass Hat coming back to race this year as a 9yr old, their is a mention of "Prized" who was one of five full blooded siblings, three were stakes winners and the others were staked placed. Maybe something thats not that common but it does happen and thats  not the first time for siblings to prevail. Take heart devotees, Nicanor and Lentenor have that certain something that makes them stand out from that 30,000 group of thoroughbreds born each year. It's in their breeding, their owners, the trainers and a legacy of greatness behind them.   Thanks aduckworth, love the new picture of Lentenor in the blog banner. Nicanor and Lentenor together, how cool is that?  

JAJ,

I will feel the same about Nicanor if he never makes it to the track.  Personally, I wish people would stop wanting him to fullfill Barbaro's path.  Barbaro was one in a million.

Many of us have watched Nicanor since he was a foal and we just love him for who he is.

This comment from Jboy is exactly what is wrong with the horse racing industry..."this horses talent is limited. well thats what i heared from a very good source. my source has connections with the horse. his workouts are nothing special. SO FAR hes shown to be nothing special. just a horse with really good bloodlines."  

When you start treasuring every horse then maybe you will "get it."

Obviously, Lael uses 2 of the most conservative trainers around, in Matz and Barclay Tagg, because it fits in with their philosophy of not rushing unready horses to the track.  There were also "good inside sources" who stated that Nicanor was more talented than Rockland, back in early summer, but Rockland has raced 3 times (2 wins), and Nicanor is unraced--and was obviously even taken off the tab for 6 months.  In 2006, when Lael's Showing Up finished 6th at the derby, Tagg first raced him @ Gulfstream in mid-February of his 3 year old year, where he broke maiden.  Based on the available information of his works--it is not possible to determine what level Nicanor will achieve; and given his connections, the fact that he is unraced until now is meaningless.

You know Brettzky99 you make a lot sense, Nicanor's recent pictures, now make perfect sense as well. When Nicanor was working, Nicanor saw no camera. And when Nicanor was getting a bath, it was, coast it clear, I can take a peek. I can be cutsie...yeah baby, I'm off duty!!!

I can't picture Dynaformer ever being cutsie for the camera...ever. Dynaformer may have even punched out a cameraman or two. I dunno, but I kinda of like Dynaformer's don't mess with me style as well.  

But you know what, MJ is right, if Nicanor never raced, that would be all right with me too. Nicanor is beauty personified. I just enjoy him racing and watching him have a great time.

But I still think Nicanor is going to do just fine as a racehorse.

Nicanor and Lentenor together --

it is very cool, indeed, Dona.

With the legacy of greatness . . . of Barbaro . . . behind them.

We're definitely having such a good time being part of this all, speculating, adoring, dissenting, debating . . . we're lucky to have had Barbaro give us such a keen eye on all this !

Amanda, can you please tell me if what I read in this article about Nicanor is true.  It said that Michael Matz is planning on racing Nicanor at the end of January or the first of February.  Can you please confirm if this is true because it said that Michael Matz said it when Nicanor had his turf workout.

I'm so happy that we have this wonderful website to keep us updated on our boys! I love reading all the comments, it's so amazing the love everyone has for Barbaro and his family! Wow, Nicanor is a big boy!!! As for this "source" that says Nicky is not very special or whatever...so what???!!! Even if that turns out to be true, that he's not special on the racetrack, he'll still be special in our hearts! In the video Michael Matz pretty much says that unfortunately Nicky isn't known as himself, as Nicanor, he's known as "Barbaro's brother". That's really tough for Nicky and for Michael Matz. Just because he's Barbaro's bro doesn't mean he's going to be Barbaro re-incarnated! I mean, certainly human siblings are all different from one another! I'm outgoing and my brother is shy, my uncle is 5'6" and his brother, my other uncle, is 6'3"! We are all so lucky because a horse like Barbaro comes along once in a lifetime. But he was not just a remarkable athlete, he had such a big heart and such a powerful soul. His brothers are all SPECIAL because they are one of God's most magnificent species, the majestic, wonderful, magical horse! I think Nicanor will have a nice career  and I can't wait to see him on the track. I don't know why but I've got such a strong feeling about Lentenor, it's in his eyes I think. Plus my husband is an awesome tenor! LOL

Godspeed Nicanor and Lentenor!

I've just received my copy of The First Saturday in May and I watched it for the first of many times to come.  What struck me about the film was that the footage of Barbaro portrayed a fractious, nervous horse, rather than the calm horse we've been lead to believe he was.  I was a little surprised by that.  By contrast, the other horses appeared to be calm and relaxed.  Was Barbaro calm or nervous at the racetrack before the races?  Does anyone know?

Going To Gulfstream???

is anyone planning to make a trip to Gulfstream to see Nicanor's maiden??

would love to find out if anyone making a special trip, etc...

Lucy, I agree with you. Whatever Nicanor is or isn't, does or doesn't do, Lentenor has that look that give one goosebumps.  My hunch is, he will prove to be very, very talented.  He started out a confident foal and he looks like a determined, confident colt now.In anycase, I am waiting with bated breath (what DOES that mean??) for both of them to appear on the racetrack and will love them no matter what happens. Just praying that they both remain sound, happy horses.

FYI TomF

Breeze:

   To run easily, under a hold, without much encouragement.

A common plan for a morning workout. Plus Nicanor did it with the Dogs. Nicanor rocked it.

My 2009 wish list is for our Nicky to win the Triple Crown with Edgar on board. This is what I pray for every night.  It would help me heal from Barbaro's loss.  

And it would shut the Negative Naysayers up once and for all.

Marigold - I have heard that Barbaro was indeed very keyed up and nervous in the saddling area  prior to a race. I recall the comments about this when he broke thru the gate prior to the start of the Preakness. The commentators on tv said he was known to be very competitive. Like I said in my previous comments, the great ones know what it's all about and seem to have the attitude of "Let's get it on". It's been said that a lot of John Henry's races were won in the paddock before the race by the way he sized up his rivals, he was "The Man" and wanted everybody to know it.

While I think it is great that Nicanor has so many loyal fans, let's be realistic.

BriGuy, 1:04.50 breezing is not impressive.  I don't care if the dogs are out or not.  The dogs will be about 20 to 30 feet off the rail, that equates to a total of about 6 or 7 lengths, if that.  In a work, 5 lengths takes about a second.  So, lets take 1.5 seconds off his work and he was only going about 1:03, still 9th out of 15 for the distance.  Certainly, the work wasn't thrilling.

Most horses will get the "breeze" designation when they go slowly, obviously.

While it is really nice that so many fans are following Nicanor, I think fans should learn as well as being loyal.  You can be loyal as well as realistic.

With all that said, some trainers want their charges to always work slowly.  I don't know Matz' philosophy.  Also, some horses show nothing in the morning and are brilliant in the afternoon--or the opposite, brilliant in the morning and useless in the afternoon.

But, bottom line a really good horse usually works in the top half of the group simply because the good ones just go faster more easily than most others.

Marigold, If you watched the Preakness Stakes you could have answered your nervous question about Barbaro. He broke thru the gate before the start. Nervous horse? I would say so. I thought they should have scratched him from the race right then and there. Oh well :(.

Does anyone know if there is a workout scheduled for the 12th?

New Short Video of Nicanor with pictures and video footage from bloodhorse, Thought everyone might enjoy....www.youtube.com/watch

So 2009 is here...and Nicanor is 3 years old...is there any hope he will run in the Kentucky Derby?

Amanda, I just wanted to see if this is true.  In another website I read that based on the workout that Nicanor did on turf, that it has been finally decided in what kind of race Nicanor is going to be racing.  It states that Michael Matz wants a race with a distance of 7/8 of a mile.  If not a race that may include two turns meaning that the distance should be up to or more than a mile.  It has also been decided that Nicanor will be racing in the turf.  Michael Matz also said that he is very pleased with the work Nicanor has been doing and is ready for his first race.  It also said that his first race might be sometime next week.  They are supposedly just waiting for the right race so that they can enter Nicanor in it.  Other than that it looks like Nicanor is ready for his first race.  So Amanda can you please confirm if this is true.

Amanda,

Gilfstream put out an article in which Matz said Nicanor started this workout slowly because he needed a faster horse to go after.  Nicanor is competitive and he needs that.  So, his time has been explained.  They are looking at a number of possibilities.  

My condolences to Lael Stables and the Jackson's on their horse Peter O breaking down yesterday on the track. I didn't know you, but I wish I had.

Great workout Nicanor. Your time seems to keep going down.

Date: January 11, 2009

Track: PALM MEADOWS TRAINING CENTER

Distance: Five Furlongs

Time: 1.01:35 Handily

Track Condition: Fast

Surface: Dirt

Rank: 5/22

BriGuy, I was well  aware of Barbaro's brekthrough of the gate at the Preakness, I thought that was an aberration in his behavior.  All I read was that he was a calm, confident horse at the tracks.  I, too, wish they;d scratched him at the Preakness.  If only...