As Nicanor nears his racing debut, his younger brother continues to learn what the game is all about. Lentenor, who officially turned 2-years-old Jan. 1, has begun going to the track at Stephens Thoroughbreds near Ocala, Fla. He is mostly jogging, but he has started some galloping as well.
“Lentenor's confidence has improved tremendously and rapidly,” said Jill Stephens. “Our main rider, Gabriel DeJesus, has done a beautiful job with him. The colt has a lot of internal energy when you're on his back, and Gab has helped him channel that in a really positive way. He actually handles himself like an older horse on the track already...well sort of.”
The colt is still turned out with a buddy, and he continues to spend every other night in the barn. His paddock buddy, a 2-year-old colt by Menifee out of the Unreal Zeal mare Unreal Cupcake, is also a Jackson homebred.
“We'll probably leave them together until they get too rough on each other,” Stephens said. “Right now they still just play. It's healthy for both of them, and I'm sure keeps them easier for us to manage as well. They don't train together though. Lentenor has a very independent training schedule. He fits into Gabriel's list however that plays out in a morning.”
