Call to the post!! Pretty soon for Nicanor!!

I just saw Nicanor's workout posted on the DRF site  and thought...hmmm, 5 furlongs from the gate, they are getting closer to starting him. Then i came here and sure enough, you had it up already. It looks like Matz thinks Nic has versatility and the surface he runs on wont matter much. Im dying to know what will happen if Nic breaks his maiden at first asking. Will Matz and the Jacksons then consider a stakes race for Nic and a course toward Louisville, or will they let him mature for a while longer and come into his own later in the season. The possibilities are so exciting. I dont think there is any question this horse has talent, just how much remains to be seen.

...I can really feel the excitement and anticipation growing.

Well it seems our boy is a bit faster on dirt than turf going 5F but hey all is good.  Just keep him safe in all his races, that is the important thing, but think our Nic will do just fine whether grade 1's 2's or 3's. He is what matters and if he never takes a race he will still be Nicanor, but Dynaformers kids do just well no matter what.

Amanda, thanks for the workout information on Nicanor.  It is great to hear that he seems to be getting faster every time that he does a workout.  Based on what Michael Matz said Nicanor's racing debut might be in just a week or two.  It is great to think that he may after all have talent.  I doubt it now that he does not have talent because based on his workout he seems to me to already have some talent.  But the question would how much talent is he capable of having like will he may be someday better than Barbaro or have less talent than Barbaro.  Anyways thanks for the updates Amanda.

Now that is an exciting work, especially since you don't know who held the clock, and who reported the time to the official.  You just never know if a length or two was added to the work.  It's really cool that we are getting to follow this colt, almost like a large, non-paying partnership.  Hope he continues to progress and runs soon.  Seems like they are close with him.

Should be tough in Maiden 10,000 at Charlestown first out.

Seems like a debut is rapidly approaching... tick tock, its almost post time for Nicky! Good luck in your first race little buddy, we're all rooting for you no matter what place you get.  I am curious though(and please no mean answers) but could Nicanor really make the Kentucky derby from where he is right now? I thought the Jackson's liked their horses to have some experience before putting them in major Stakes races.. though I'm hoping I'm wrong.  I would really like to see Nicky go at it, but everywhere I look, no one sees him as a likely competitor...

WILL NICANOR HAVE A CHANCE AT THE KWNTUCKY DERBY?

I think they will let him mature at his on pace. They have a Derby win already. They have taken their time thus far and I expect that to coninue.  Please stop hoping for a Derby winner and love him no matter what.

Where is JAJ? "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"                              5/22 looks like the top half to me and this is not the first ime  

To make the derby no way hes waiting way to long..

I'd love to see him come to Virginia and run in the Colonial Turf Cup and or the Virginia Derby.  Whether its turf or dirt or polyester I hope he turns out to be a graded stakes player during his career.

Thanks Millions for the Updates!!

I am awaiting his first race.

I am praying for his health!

Thanks for the update.  I get goosebumps reading about his progress.  

Very encouraging information on Nicanor!  Thank you so much.  It will be fun to follow him as he makes his way to his new career.  Because so many of us developed such a love affair with Barbaro, we have extremely high expectations, but it's well to remember that there were brothers of Man O War who couldn't run a lick - lol!  I'm mainly trying to just enjoy Nicanor and Lentenor for who they are.

Certainly he has a chance at the Kentucky Derby!  All 3 year old thoroughbreds, that is those foals of 2006, have a chance to run.  Will he?  That remains to be seen.  He is behind many of his peers in that he still has not raced.  He has had a lot of experience at Fair Hill, seeing the sights and growing up.  At this point it is really neat to be able to keep up with his progress and I, as well as everyone else, am really looking forward to his first start.   It remains to be seen as to what his potential will be.  Thanks to Amanda for keeping us as up to date as possible and best wishes to Michael and Nicanor as they move forward.

I just read my workout notice and couldn't wait to see if you had any more information for us. Thanks Amanda, for being on it! The notice doesn't say "from the gate" so your comments are really enlightening. Thepartnerperson43 has a valid point about the workout, without being there or seeing a video of his work, his times are just a piece of the picture. How far did he gallop afterwards, how did he act, did he want more, etc. I think we can feel good about it and rest easy, he's in good hands. OOOOOH, I'm so pleased for him.  Also, I read today that Dynaformer was "Booked full" for 2009, does anybody know if La Ville Rouge is in that schedule?  He's getting up there, I hope he stays healthy and sires a filly with her. Guess we want it all, huh?. lol    

no chance to even run in derby, unless it is donkey derby, bad sign when you see him being breezed on turf and syntecics, just seems like they are trying surface to try and move him up.

B lucky if he can win 25k maiden

I think he has a chance. Look at Big Brown and Curlin. It just depends on how they want his career to go and if they think he can handle that much as quickly as he will need to. But really, no one is going to know anything at all until he runs his first race. He could be a "morning glory" for all we know.

Well, notable exceptions like Curlin certainly made the last few years exciting!! I'm sure if Nic gets in the races he needs, and does what he needs to do to get to the Derby, we will see him. If not and he still needs maturing, then so be it. Whatever happens, I am just looking forward to him racing, and the rest of the year, right up to the BC. There are so many exciting 2 & 3 year olds. It looks to be a great year; we can hope!

It's very likely that Nicanor will win his maiden race.  But, nothing is certain, so may I suggest you keep you win wager under $100.

Where is Nicanor training?  Is he stabled on a racetrack?

Does anyone know if he has been schooled in the paddock yet?  I would expect Nicanor to be schooled several times in the paddock before he starts.

Schooling in the paddock means that Nicanor is prepared and taken to the paddock before a race the same as all the other horses that will be racing.  He is exposed to the crowds and tacked up in the saddling area as if he were going to race.  When the other horses go to the track, he stays behind in the paddock until after the race.

Do you think Lentenor will race at 2 and make it to the Derby at 3?

Beautiful Nicador!  My prayers are for his safety.  I am sure that he has the bloodline and the talent.

I wish him the very best.

If Nicanor is getting started a little late to compete in the Kentucky Derby, how about trying for the Grand Slam of Grass? The series of races doesn't start until the end of June, with the Colonial Turf Cup. Next is the Virginia Derby in July, the Secretariat Stakes in August, and finally, the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf in October. This is a major turf series for 3-year-olds, sort of the turf horse's answer to the Triple Crown. That would give him almost two more months to get ready. I know his work on grass was a little slow, but he has big feet, and Barbaro ran well on the turf.

Nicanors second time out he will have already broken his maiden.Dyanaformer has a pretty good percentage on first time starters.Don't let him surprise you

I'm looking forward to picking him up in a $10,000 claimer and turning him into a first rate junior jumper.

Good work on both surfaces.  I wish him the best of health and success but I'd like to see them wait until he matures and grows into himself.  It's a lot to ask for horses on the short side of three years.  Better to be safe than sorry again.

From NY Times:

Checking the internet out today, I noticed an article and here is what Michael has to say,

“I think he’s a real nice colt, and we’ve always thought that of him,” Matz said. “He’s been working quite good. It was just that he needed some time to grow up mentally. He’s a real nice horse.”

Yes, I believe he'll do just fine.

 Thanks for that encouraging bit of info Kathy. I can't wait to hear when Nicanor's first start will be. I have every intention of going to an OTB to see it if its not going to be on HRTV.

 Mr. Matz knows the horse better than anyone and what's best for him and that is what we all want.

TomF you are certainly entitled to your opinion and I don't think Nicanor will be as good as his brother. But please don't say about how he'll be great at charles Town and how he'll be claimed for $10,000 because that simply would not happen. If the Jacksons didn't think he was at least decent, they would do exactly what they did with Man In Havana- theyd geld him and sell him as a show jumper. Your entitled to your opinion yes, as long as it makes sense, which yours  doesnt.

Personally, I think that Nicanor is a nice horse.  They are taking the extra time with him because they understand the hopes and dreams that he will be carrying when he starts for the first time.  Matz and the Jacksons want to do everything that they can to be sure he is a ready as possible to try what is expected of him.  Just remember, he is a full sibling to Barbaro, NOT Barbaro HIMSELF!  KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC and prepare to be surprised if he does do better than average.

Never did consider him a Barbaro. I always thought of him as a Curlin myself, slow to mature, may lose a race or two and sent to stud at age 5.

I would be thrilled if he came out for the Breeder's Cup next Fall.  That would be my Kentucky Derby!

That beautiful boy wil do fine.  He's got the DNA and the attitude.  He's got the size now, and will be a wonderful young racehorse.  THen, along will come Lentenor!  We've got so much joy ahead...

Everywhere the Barbaro Nation finds a home, we will see people who only show up to jeer and attack us.  The folks who follow horse racing mostly to make money wagering are not like the people who love horses more than money.  I don't expect to see Nicanor run in the Kentucky Derby but I won't be surprised if he is a stakes winner some day and has a solid racing career.  I will never think he is the reincarnation of Barbaro but I will always be interested in what happens to him because to me, he's family, and his connections are solid gold.  If your journey with Nicanor began as Barbaro was rushed to New Bolton Center that terrible day in 2006, then you Get It.  If you don't know what I mean by that, then perhaps this blog is not for you.  

Horses are not mature until they are four years old so i like to hear of Owners not racing their horses much or at all at 2 years old.  Good for Nicanor's team in that they are putting his needs before their own and taking every precaution to avoid the same scenario as Barbaro.  Would that all Owners were as considerate of their horse's needs instead of their own pockets!!!!!!!!!!  There is always next year if things do not work out this year for Nicanor.  Better to have a horse to race at 4 that is lightly raced than no horse at all!!!!  Barbaro had the best possible care always but he was an immmature horse and that would not have helped when he ran what turned out be his last race.  Along with millions i was praying he would survive but alas it was not to be.  But Barbaro lives forever in Heaven and is happy!  Now Nicanor gets his chance to carry on the family name but let those closest to him decide what is best for him!

Dona, La Ville Rouge will be bred back to Dynaformer this year. Yes, he is getting up there. I think he is 24 or 25 this yr. I think the Jacksons intensions are to breed her back to him until he is pensioned. They still have 3 more fox hound names left. Margano (which will be the 09 foal's name) Serano and Calypso.

I just don't agree that Nicanor's following and fan base are due to his being a brother of Barbaro.  I think he's developed a following of his own for himself now.  I believe we are all fans of Nicanor's because he is Nicanor, an individual horse in his own right.  He is training and working and deserves to be recognized for his own efforts and talent.  We all love him as though he were our own.

sounds like he's almost ready. hope they take their time with him.

I am enjoying the reports on Nicanor's progress as he develops.  I'm sentimental about him, for the same reasons that many others are, but I find this chronology about preparing a young Thoroughbred for the racetrack fascinating.  I am only a fan of horses and horseracing, and seldom get to a track, as I live about as far from top-class racing as it's possible to live.  These reports give me a glimpse into the industry and help me to understand how much goes into the development of every single colt or filly to get it to the track.  Thanks.

Work outs really don't mean much.

I've seen horses with 2 bullet

works, and come in 7th out of 10

horses. Also the opposite. Bad works winning or coming in 2nd.

Also the weight of the jockey could

make a difference in the work out.

Just hope nothing bad happens to the horse.

My awakening with Barbaro occurred during the Kentucky Derby. I had not seen Barbaro's previous races. I had to scoop my jaw up off of the floor as Barbaro broke lose from the others finishing six 1/2 lengths ahead of everyone else. I will never forget that moment. I firmly believe Barbaro was Triple Crown bound. And then the Preakness...my journey began. I hoped and prayed all those months that Barbaro could go home, but it didn't happen.

Nicanor and Lentenor were more of a curiousity and a pleasant distraction from Barbaro's injury in the beginning. I suspect Nicanor's sunny disposition probably stems from more people interaction as a foal and more spoiling.

The new pictures show it all. Nicanor is serious and grown up when the trainers are around and clowning it up a bit when he is having his bath. You got to love him.

This horse has the heritage and a superb trainer. His racing career will speak for itself; so all of the speculation here means nothing really. What does matter is his safety at all times and continual love and support from the humans around him. God speed Nicanor.....

Both Nicanor and Lentenor deserve to be thought of as individual horses in their OWN rights and not compared to Barbaro. No other 2 or 3 year old is compared to Barbaro.  They are their own selves and  will fare as their own abilities permit.  Their connection to Barbaro is pertinent with respect to inherited strengths and weaknesses of their anatomy.  My prayer is that they'll both remain sound and healthy and will have nice careers and go to stud and produce little Nicanors and Lentenors.  They have the best connections possible and the best trainer.  Michael does not want a repeat of Barbaro's tragedy to befall these two beautiful colts.  He'll do his part to insure against that happening.  All these boys need is our love and support, which they'll have.  Everything else is being done by their trainers.  Let's just enjoy them for themselves and wait and see what happens.  God Bless all their connections and give them wisdom with respect to these two young, very promising colts.

Here is an interesing quote from Michael Matz: "We have taken our time with him...mentally he had a lot of growing up to do. He's a big horse, well-mannered.  He's a kind horse, nice to be around."   He was speaking of Barbaro! (from the book Barbaro, Smarty Jones, and Ruffian, The People's Horses.)  If the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree (or its branches) why assume that the talent does not also follow??  I say, relax, wait and watch...

Just got done reading about Go Between dying, My Heart goes out to everyone involved with him, He was a Great Horse !, It just shows you how fragile life is and you just never know. May Barbaro's Brothers live long and fulfilling lives, Regardless if it is on the track or not. But, I will not lie, I hope they finish what Barbaro started and capture the Triple Crown !

If Nicanor came out here for the Breeder's Cup and did well, I'd be happy.  Hopefully one of them will take the Triple Crown and finish what Barbaro started.  I just hope they do what they can do for themselves and that they remain sound and happy horses.

Afleet Frank and Tom F (and maybe even Mike M):  I think you are one and the same person.  Nicanor is going to do what Nicanor can do and we already know that he can run, we've seen it and heard (read) about it.  He's competitive (best news of all) and he has that Dynaformer DNA coarsing through him.  Nicanor will be fine!

mdfanofracing, thanks for the update. I've always believed that Dynaformer's mission in life was to be a stud. And in his 29th or 30th year, Dynaformer, will not die, he will simply fade away into that Stud-dom Stall in the Sky.

Glad to see that there are others like me.  I just love the horses, their courage and determination, their beauty, and their love.  Go Between hit really hard, I saw him win the Virginia Derby.  Lovely guy, beautiful head and eye.  Go Between, Indyanne, Barbaro, all go to show just how fleeting life can be.  God Speed to all horses and may St. Francis watch over them all, Nicanor and Lentenor included.

Heartbroken about Indyanne.  We MUST find a solution for these breakdowns, a preventitive or a repair that works, preferably both.  'Til then I will have my heart in my mouth and may not be able to watch Nicanor or Lentenor nor any other beloved horse run.

Today's DRF article is the most encouraging thing I've read from Michael yet.  If nicanor is now nearly 17 hands, per the article, is he more or less at risk re breakdowns?  Frankly, I'm less frightened that he won't be a winner as a racehorse than I am that he might break down.  These last few days have been deeply discouraging with Peter O and Indyanne/s breakdowns and deaths.

May Nicanor and Lentenor and new colt coming late next month remain sound, healthy and happy horses first and foremost. Wouldn't it be spectacular to have a photo of all three brothers together??  

The thing to remember here, is that Matz knows what he's doing!  If Nicki is ready, he'll be ready.  If not, he could still develop like Curlin, late and great.  Think about it, an Eclipse award is nothing to sneeze at. Barbaro never got the chance to finish his career and pick one of those up. Bernadini wouldn't have had a shot with Barbaro still blazing up the track. Plus, it's just the possibility of Nicanor winning that is giving us all so much hope and joy. So lets just enjoy the ride. Hope exists, and so does Lentenor and Marginor (hopefully soon!)

Here is another article on Nicanor (On MSNBC.COM):

nbcsports.msnbc.com/.../28640950

If anyone was having trouble getting onto the DRF site, try this link, also a new picture of Nicanor(I believe)., Enjoy...

And here's more encouragement. I can see Michael smiling and his eyes twinking in this one,where he says Nicanor is doing terrific.

www.gulfstreampark.com/.../Nicanor0116.htm

Today's Gulfstream Park Nicanor Report says that Michael is looking at January 31st for a race during the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream for Nicanor. He says Nicanor's intelligence has accelerated as his workouts have accelerated.  Michael sounds really excited by Nicky in this report. Check it out!