Simply stunning photos. Thanks Amanda for this. It brightens my day when I see the photos.

what a treat on my birthday, to see these beautiful pictures. so proud of you nicky knocks!!!

Thanks Amanda, beautiful pictures!

Photot #1- looking alot like his older bro

Photo #3- getting focused

Photo#5- IN THE ZONE ! :)

he's very calm in the first and last photo, very impressive, a VERY nice lokking horse!

Picture #5 looks amazingly like Big Bro (minus a little muscle). So proud of all of the Barbaro family and connections. Hope Babynor makes his appearance soon and LVR has an easy time and recovery.  Please post info as soon as possible-we are all a bunch of anxious Godparents-in-waiting.

way to go nicanor you are so beautiful and next time you will win just be safe always we love you darlene

The pics are great.  One thing I would like to see though is Michael using white instead of a brown halter and gear.  Was always impressed with Fletcher and L. Jones use of white.  Being a bit picky but think it helps to show off the horse a bit more.  He does however look a lot like Barbaro if not for the white down his nose.

GREAT pictures, Amanda !  

Thanks, and thanks for moving onto a new blog entry.  Some things (bloggers and their bellicose attitudes) are getting tired and really off the spirit of the topic . . .

Geez, what's happening with La Ville Rouge?  Hope all is well with her and that her foaling goes beautifully.

Any more comments from Peter Brette or Michael Matz?  Would especially love to hear Peter's feeling about Nicanor's progress.

Looking forward to more.  Can't say it enough, NICANOR -- you are gorgeous and you improved wonderfully !!!

wow! what great photos, he looks stunning!

Thank you for the pictures,Nicanor is a looker,very handsome.But without Barbaro I may never had found that this meant so much,Thanks Barbaro your heroism and fight has caused alot of us to become horseracing fanatics and that makes me very happy indeed.What a wonderful world it is horseracing and who needs a stimulus with Nicanor around he is going to be an exciting horse to watch develop.

I posted yesterday a comment but it did not appear so I think it is worth a mention.  Alex Brown worked at Fair Hills for sometime and decided that he wanted to travel to each racetrack across the country and blogs his experiences.  He said that he spoke to Peter after the race and was very happy with the progess.  He came out of the race well and scoped clean. His comment was that he hopes he will learn to relaxx a little more early but clearly thinks he will love two turns and Alex said it really dows look that way.   He said that he also spoke with Mrs. Jackson briefly who was very pleased with his race. I truly think he is learning, still green around the edges but see bigger things for him down the road.  Any word on Babynor yet.

WOW, Great Pictures Amanda !, But I will say, Seeing Nicanor in person is and was Incredible, He is stunning, I know I am a little biased, but up close he is just Amazing !

Thanks lobieb for remarks from Peter, AWESOME!, Go Nicanor...

Great pictures.  I love picture #5---he looks like he's just bounding along--definitely looks more like a turf stride.  Can't wait till his next start!

Thank you M.Guzman for the terrific pics.

Hoping the full moon tonight will bring out the new foal.  Nicanor isn't as long in his back as Barbaro, is he?  He seems to be growing to match those goofy ears now.  They fit his head better.  I believe if Matz thought he'd be better on turf, that is where he would be right now.  Glad the connections are pleased with the race.  I am excited about the Louisiana Derby Saturday.  Go Friesian Fire!  And may La Ville Rouge be safe.  

Amanda:

many,many thanks for these pictures of Nicanor, what a beauty. The 1st.picture of Nicanor where his legs start is that called a femur like people? That muscular area? Gosh, Nicanor looks just awesome!!!

No one has been mean to me I just get tired of the bickering, I cant learn when that occurs...because I like to read every post and learn.

Oh, Amanda these pictures are just it!!!

Really love these, especially the first. He's got a super cute face.

Thanks for more pictures!  Can't possibly get enough of those.  : )

Here’s a little tidbit.  I was searching for a Spanish name for a horse yesterday and ran across Nicanor and its meaning: victorious army.  So, may his legions of fans help lead him to victory with their love and faith!

Ragsy, a horse's femur is the leg bone that attaches to the pelvis, just like in humans, and is part of the hind leg. The lower part of the femur attaches to the tibia and patella bones at the horse's stifle.

The part of the leg that you were asking about (the upper portion of the front leg) is the horse's forearm (the radius), which is the equivalent of the human forearm (between the elbow and wrist).

Thanks Amanda.  Beautiful horse Nicanor is.  In every way.  I so love him.  Love the second pic with his groom.  How cute.  He sure is a handsom guy. He looks so much like mom.  Speaking of mom.  Where is the baby??????????

We love you Nicanor.  

Hi Ragsy.  :)

Thanks for the new photos!

Just got news from Mill Ridge Farm  today 3-10-09,that LVR has not foaled yet. They say keep checking back at their web site, www.MillRidgeFarm.com. Just an FYI for all our LVR fans.

Nic is such a beautiful horse and I love the pics...thanks Amanda.

I could look at his photos all day!  He is a gorgeous boy.  

Stunning pictures of Nicanor. What a beauty he is. He seems to have an aura about him. I really hope to get to see him in person one day. Hopefully he will race at Keeneland or Churchill and I'll be able to make it to see him. It would be such a thrill. I envy those who live in Florida and have been able to see him at Gulfstream.

Picture #5

Boy does that look like Barbaro or what?  Wow.  Love these pics.  

Nice Picture.  HEY ON THE 5th PICTURE DOWN DOESN'T HE LOOK LIKE BARBARO THE WAY HE IS RUNNING?? I LOOKED AT BARBARO WHEN HE WAS RUNNING AND I SEE A HUGE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE TWO.  HE IS A BEAUTY!!!

Thank you for the photos! Can't wait to see what is next for Nic!

WOW WHAT A NICE BOY HE TURNED OUT TO  BE.  HE DOES LOOK SO MUCH LIKE BARBARO THE FIFTH PICTURE DOWN YOUR RIGHT.  THANKS FOR THE PICTURES.  

Amanda-Thank you so much for sharing these lovely photos of "our" Nicky. I never get tired of looking at him.

Amanda, these pictures are wonderful. I especially like #7, he's so striking. Thanks everyone for gathering so much material and making this blog possible. The bloodhorse and all the Lael connections need to know just how much we appreciate the opportunity to be able to follow Nicanor, Lentenor and La Ville Rouge in their  daily endeavors. Love you Nicanor, ex animo.

Grey K, i wish the full moon brings us a new foal tonight also, that would be a great birthday present, to share my birthday with Babynor! May God keep you safe, beautiful La Ville Rouge! And Nicky Knocks, just love you big time!

Lovely photos, Amanda. Thanks for sharing them with us. It appears as though the single biggest training issue they have with Nicanor at this point is to get him to relax early in his races. He's been a bit rank early in both his starts, but definitely shows potential. I've been making it a point to read up on stakes-winning full siblings. Does happen more often than I guess I realized.

BTW, I wish there was a blog about Peppers Pride, the great undefeated mare. She's going to be bred to Tiznow, and I'd enjoy reading periodic updates on how she's doing. She doesn't have the most fashionable pedigree, although her sire is an extremely well-bred son of Fappiano out of the multiple G1 winner Blush With Pride by Blushing Groom. Blush With Pride is from the same immediate female family as classic winners Jazil and Rags to Riches. Here's a link to the Bloodhorse's pedigree analysis for Peppers Pride. www.bloodhorse.com/.../48544.aspx I'd love to read an analysis of the prospects for her mating with Tiznow.

Marigold

I don't think we will ever get tired of looking at Nicanor or any of the Barbaro bunch.  I still love looking at Barbaro.  I am trying to find a picture with all three of them in one picture. I want it for my livingroom but then I think that maybe I should wait until the Baby is born.  

Amanda, do you happen to have a place such pictures may be posted?

sharris:

If she foals at midnight, we can share in the birthday as mine is tomorrow! Happy Birthday!

Hi Ragsy, good to see you again!

Amanda that is a really good idea.  LOL  No-one would ever get through anyway cause it would always be busy.  

I trust that you will let us know as soon as the Jacksons want us to know. :)

A happy day for all in pic #8, as it should be.  

The Lael Stables' jockey silks with the #9 saddle cloth were meant for each other and happen to be my fav colors.  Read somewhere that 'lael' means 'loyalty' in Gaelic.  That too seems perfect.

Thanks so much to M. Guzman for all eight wonderful pics.  

Amanda, the pictures are beautiful.  Thank you so much for this web site.  I have learned a lot about horse racing from the comments.

jclson  and Jackie Fan of Nicanor

I am glad you guys see the same thing I do.  WOW.  FLASH BACK!!!!! BUT we have to remember that this is NOT Barbaro, it is Nicanor. ;)  They do look almost like twins though.  Beautiful.  

For Big Red

I love Peppers Pride too.  Thanks.

Your so beautifal Nicanor I love you. Good luck in your next race.

From Alex of Winnipeg Manitoba Canada.

For Big Red, You probably read this already about Peppers Pride, But if not Enjoy:

www.bloodhorse.com/.../peppers-pride-happy-to-be-in-kentucky

GregJ,  Your in-person accounts of Nicanor's race last Saturday were just wonderful.  If I were ever to see him in person, I'd hyperventilate and probably pass out!  There is just something about this horse...I remember reading somewhere that Jil Stephens in Ocala described Barbaro as serious about his training, where Nicanor was playful.  Lentenor seems serious, also.  Nic seems to be the playful, sweetest one.  The other brothers are/were more business like.

Once more time! FABULOUS Race Nicanor! Love ya!

Wow.  Those photos give me such joy!  So happy he took that place in his 2nd race. Movin' on up to the top, to that delux spot in the winner's circle!  The boy's got talent. No doubt about it. Too bad Prado wasn't on board, but maybe next time for the win! Now that's a photo in demand before it's taken.  

I agree w/ you Jackie Fan Of Nicanor! You take away his snip and he is IDENTICAL in that picture! It is amazing!

What a pretty pretty boy.  Thanks for the phographs.  

Hi all i like jpg 5 it is scrazy it looks like barbaro does everyone else feel the way i do?He is going to be great wait and see.

zenyatta2008/2009

Yeah I thought of that too.  Put Prado on Nicanor in picture #5 in a win and OMG what a beautiful picture that would be.  WOW!  

Love to ya big guy. Miss you terribly.  

TO STARDUST AND GREG J.,

Thanks for your responses to my Peppers Pride comment. I don't want get off topic here, but do want to note that I'm very happy Tiznow is a successful sire. He's a direct male-line descendent of Man o'War, and I think it's extremely important to preserve the In Reality line as an alternative to the more commercially popular lines. The Tiznow-Peppers Pride mating is very interesting.

Nicanor just looks gorgeous!!!  Thanks for sharing these pictures with us Amanda, they are fantastic!!

Kim: thank you on your response, I appreciate the information on the skeletal system of the horse.  I am also trying to learn the horse racing terms... Thank You.

Stardust,Horsenut & Greg: My love for Barbaro has spread to all family members of Barbaro and many other horses "Because of Barbaro"   Following the lives of The Brothers to me is most important in changing peoples perceptions on racing and the future of racing as we know it...I have not been a person that has followed racing but Barbaro changed that...

Yaa, I love the family and brothers because of Barbaro.....hearts and kissesss sweet ones...

Great pictures.  Nicanor is a gorgeous horse

Amanda, I just want to say thank you from the bottome of my heart for all the time and effort you put into this just to keep us all posted.  I don't normally comment but read everything and watch for any information to be posted - like so many others.  He's so handsome and appears to be getting stronger every week.  I hope as he matures and races they'll be televised more - I have to wait for the race to be posted so I can watch.  He will be a great horse, he's come a long way in a short amount of time and I really can't wait to see him continue to establish himself.  Way to go Nicanor!  Keep up the great work so we all can see you take your place in racing.

GO SMARTY GO newes - For KAM (if you're still reading this blog) or anyone else interested in GO SMARTY GO -

I have heard that "the colt was in FL being legged up and jogging under tack." It is too early to know if he will return to the track, but apparently they are still hopeful. that in itself is wonderful news! I also heard that ROCKLAND was getting a bit of a breather after his last race.

He is so breath taking.  I get chills just looking at his pictures.  Seeing his pictures makes me smile. I can only imagine how stunning he is to see in person.  

Greg, you are so lucky to have seen him w/ your own 2 eyes :)

Wow! I am blown away by the beauty of Nicanor. He was so close. Again I think he is learning and feeling his way. I can't wait to see him run again. Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures. God Bless ;)

Fantastic photos.  Thank you for sharing!

He's a beauty, it'd be great to see him make a name for himself!!

Great photos.  The updates are always appreciated!  One thing I noticed which is fairly commonplace is that there is no mention of Nicanor's groom.  He is as key as all of the players in Nicanor's success--can't we recognize him, too?

Pretty smart of them to use the Figure-8 bridle for him, he's a pretty headstrong colt. Maybe he'll eventually learn to rate and if not he should have enough stamina to deal with being on or making the pace. He's filling out nicely, next year he should definitely be a better racehorse, he just needs to finish developing more physically and mentally. That muscle tone is starting to show more though. I'm glad we can watch him progress, losing his first race was the best thing that could happen to him, but I wonder if they'll try him on the turf next? His pedigree just screams turf, he may thrive on it.

Oh Penny I agree totally and your right this is Nicanor time to shine but even in the last picture the man has Nicanors nose covered up with his hands and him blocking that white spot on Nicanor really makes him look like Barbaro.  

Zenyatta2008/2009 look on the last picture how the man has his nose covered.  I agree KWJ put Prado in number 5 I know you all seen that one

Hey Stardust...what exactly is the web site for LVR? I don't think you got my post about the wedding so here goes...why not have Barbaro , Eight Belles & Secretarat be the Arc angels watching the wedding from above? Then our loved horses will be present.  

By the way, I got an email from Mill Ridge and I've never called them nor would I ever call.

Love the Barbaro Family & all connections especially the Jacksons for having so much patience with Nicanor. He's worth waiting on. Best wishes go to LVR and and her foaling. Hopefully it goes well.

Nice pictures, Amanda, thanks. Nicanor looks great, but i dont think he has the size Barbaro had. He just looks smaller for some reason. Loved the last photo with the jock dismounting, Nicky looks fantastic. Word to LVR, You've been upstaged..Rags to Riches had her little girl monday night, NOW GET BUSY lol.

Lovely photos of a swell racehorse.  He's sooooo cute.

I know this is Nicanor's thread, but because his brother Barbaro is mentioned so often here,  Did anyone notice that The Barbaro Stakes at Pimlico will NOT be run this year?

Rags to Riches foaled a filly on Monday, cant wait to see a picture. Nicky, seeing that race was just awesome, handsome boy!!!! We have watched you since your mother carried you, it truly is like watching family grow!

For Big Red:

I, too, like Peppers Pride. Bloodhorse(magazine) did a nice article on her a couple months ago. She has great class and an awful lot of heart! Anyone should be proud to own her, her bloodlines are fine, and the Tiznow cross seems like a good one.

That girl can run! The article this week on her has a beautiful picture, she looks very regal!

I think that Pimlico is one of the tracks in the chapter 11 bankrupsy.  I wondered about that when I heard all of the tracks that were in trouble with this.  

Lou

I don't know if this link will show up right but Amanda can lead you there.  It appears that more are jumping on this wedding train.  Head over there. :)

cs.bloodhorse.com/.../fyi-on-la-ville-rouge.aspx

I think if Nicanor has blinkers on for the next race, that'll help keep him focused and won't bother him so much if he gets passed.  He should break his maiden next race out if the same jockey is on him.

For Big Red, Horsenut:

I also like Pepers Pride and was able to see her race.  She is stunning and I am glad she is in Kentucky..what stamina..what a beauty.

sandieh

I'll bet it was that full moon!  They both foaled within a day of each other.  How cool is THAT!  I so love these horses and babies.  Can't wait to see these pics.  4 babies from LVR and Dynaformer.  WOW!  The bloodline continues to grow and grow.  Babaro must be so proud.  God never takes anything he doesn't give BACK!  :)

The last photo: you can see Peter on the left in the dark suit, Michael in the tan suit, and Edoardo, his groom all checking that Nicanor is all right.  So good to see their concern for him.  He is such a sweet, beautiful, talented boy.  Can't wait for his next race!  I'll bet Edgar gets the mount for his next race.

Great pics! He really does look good, but he does seem to be on the small side though. Anyone know how tall he is currently? Anyway, he's a very pretty horse, very flashy, in my opinion.

Rechelle,

I seriously doubt blinkers are what Nicanor needs.

He needs to relax.  The addition of blinkers will not do that.  I would be very surprised if MM put blinkers on him.

There doesn't seem any reason.  He came off the bridle when he was mid way through the turn, but went right back to running after.

It is common practice for a trainer to take blinkers OFF a horse that is stretching out in distance so they will relax more.  I repeat, blinkers make horses aggressive.

Watch the race again--he is just too aggressive, almost rank.  Add that he isn't the fastest sprinter on the block and you have a problem if he can't rate.

He doesn't have enough brilliant speed to be a sprinter from what I've seen, except at the cheaper levels.  If he insists on being on the lead, he will be run off his feet by the faster horses in the first half mile and there will be nothing left for the horses coming from behind.

Remember, Secretariat's last quarter in the 1.5 mile Belmont was a lot faster than Nicanor's last quarter in his 7/8ths mile race.

This is why training racehorses is such an art.  You have a horse like Nicanor that might be able to make it as a two-turn (over a mile) horse, but the horse has to be malleable enough to do the jockey's bidding.  If he doesn't, he can't win at the highest levels at the distance that suits his physical attributes best.  He'll be cooked in the first 1/2 mile.  A horse with some talent may end up being relegated to the lower levels just because of his personality.

Gelding might help, which I am sure on this blog is blasphemy.

Hey I have a question about blinkers.  

I know that they are used for focus and to keep the horse from getting distracted and keeping the horse straight BUT IMHO I feel that horses are born with their eyes the way they are.  Isn't it better for a race horse to SEE the competition, hence maybe run faster or try to stay ahead?  I would think that if a racehorse knows he/she is suppose to cross the wire first, then blinkers would not be good.  I would want to see my competition coming up on me if I were a horse.  

Imput would be nice here.  I don't like blinkers myself cause they are not natural.  Doesn't that irritate the horse?

JAJ - Normally I would agree with you, but in Nicanor's case, blinkers may be required.  He got INTIMIDATED when the horse passed him.  If he couldn't see the horse next to him, he might not get intimidated.  He started catching up to the horse after Lezcano was able to get him to focus but if Nicanor hadn't seen Custom for Carlos passing, he might have been fine.  He was the best horse in that race.  He lost because he got intimidated and the race wasn't long enough for him to regain the lead.  

Stardust - Normally yes, you would be correct, but so far, nothing about Nicanor has been normal.  He is immature still and intimdates easily.  Once he gains some experience & confidence & matures more, he'll be much better, but right now, his lack of experience is a problem and causes him to get intimidated by a horse passing him.  Nicanor is a front runner just like War Pass last year.  War Pass couldn't handle being passed by other horses and it appears neither can Nicanor.  Blinkers may help Nic until he matures more.

Rechelle

Thank You, that helps a lot.  

Rechelle, I agree with you on Nicanor needing Experience First, With that comes his confidence, I believe he has all the tools and guidance, Just lacking the most important trait, CONFIDENCE. Still haven't formed an opinion on Blinkers yet, Kinda siding with JAJ but Rechelle has me thinking, Thanks....

Rechelle,

I think you need to give the horse time to learn his job before you start making equipment changes, especially when the equipment change is likely to cause more problems than they are going to fix.  As I write this, I feel a bit like a hypocrite,making all these statements about a horse I've never laid a finger on while at the same time as I am criticizing someone else for being a backseat trainer, lol!

He's going to have to learn about horses passing him if he is ever going to learn to rate.

He'll also need to learn not to be afraid of horses around him in close quarters.  There are things the trainer can do to help him learn these lessons.

He didn't lose the race because he was intimidated by a horse passing him.  He lost the race because a horse passed him--because on that day the other horse was just better.

ALso, don't read too much into what is said by the connections.  I would not count on getting the whole truth from them.  Trainers, as a group, like to keep things close to their chests.  Look at that colt that Nicanor worked with--what was his name--Rockport or something.  Someone noticed he hadn't breezed since his race some time ago.  It was reported that he was getting some time off.  What wasn't said was why he was getting time off.  My guess is he is hurt.

That is in no way a criticism of the trainer--these things happen all the time.  Horses don't usually get time off until after a gruelling season, not at the start of one except for an injury or a need for the horse to mentally unwind.

JAJ, thanks for your informative posts.  I don't think Nicanor needs blinkers, he needs experience.  He's not shying when he sees the horses, he just needs to get used to it.  To me he looked a little bit like, "Hey, how did that guy get up there," and then, "Am I supposed to do something about it?"

Someone asked about white bridles a while back and IMHO, I'm glad Matz doesn't use them.  Just plain ol' leather has more class, but that's me.  I also wouldn't want to be cleaning white bridles!  Enough work keeping the brown leather ones clean.  

I imagine it's not easy any more to school horses like they are in a race. When you read about the old days, a farm would send out a bunch of youngsters to the track and I would think they could practice leading, staying behind, making moves, etc.  Getting dirt kicked in their faces before they ran a race.  But, I don't know that for a fact so JAJ, do you have any input on that?  Racing to gain that kind of experience is kind of a tough way to do it.

Dear Nicky,  Win your next race for me as a birthday present on March 17.  i know you will do it.

Most of my experience is with show horses, I admit, but I have done a lot of work with thoroughbreds, I own a TB/Hanoverian mare now and Nicanor needs to gain confidence and he won't do that as long as he gets intimidated when passed.  I think blinkers for a few races, until he gains his confidence, will help him.  He was doing GREAT until he got passed, then he faltered and picked up once the horse was clear.  Blinkers would help keep him from faltering if he gets passed.  They have cases of successful use, including on I Want Revenge.  I think Nicanor has the potential to do great, but he needs to get over his immaturity and his confidence issues.  Out of Nicanor and Lentenor, I think Lentenor will be better, he seems to be maturing faster and will likely race as a 2yo.  Just my opinion of course and I respect JAJ's opinion.  But there are cases were blinkers do help the horse.

What was the reason behind Secretariat's blinkers and did he wear them from the very beginning?

Didn't Jill Stephens say   in essence that once Lentenor got use to an something that was taught to him that Lentenor accepted and took to it?

The last place I'd wanted to be in near the rail next to an aggressive competitor and I don't believe Nicanor had ever experienced this before.

M.M. also said that Nicanor is a two turn horse which I believe means that Nicanor is no sprinter. C for C is probably a sprinter.

I think that the next time Nicanor experiences the rail and the competitor, he will do much better, with or without the blinkers.

OMG,JAJ - Gelding??? It's a good thing you aren't in a room with these folks, you would be torn limb from limb! And what?? Don't read into what the connections say?? They are as honest as the day is long, they would NEVER fib about Nicanor!!

How dare you, you TROLL! You are DIS-invited to the WEDDING!

White bridles are REALLY easy to clean--they are nylon and you can just throw them in the washing machine.  Personally, I like the look of a nice leather bridle--very classy.

HorseFirst,

Yes, horses are often schooled for racing conditions.

When babies (2-year olds) are started, they always gallop in a group.  Having another horse to gallop beside keeps the babies focused and moving straight.

They have a workmate when they start breezing for the same reasons--they move forward eagerly, focus and go straight.  Horses are very competitive--they want to be first, even when they are babies just galloping slowly.  (A "gallop" on the track could be as slow as a canter.)

Some trainers will set up training situations during a breeze that will be like racing conditions.  A trainer needs to have enough horses in their barn to be able to do that.  Sometimes they will sacrifice a workmate to get the training situations for the star of the barn.  By that, I mean they will set it up so that the star always beats the other horse in a breeze in the morning.  You can break the other horse's heart doing that.

I don't know how my trainer handles setting up those racing situations.  I rarely see my horses breeze because I live so far from the racetrack.  The times I have seen them work, they worked alone or breezed beside a workmate and finished with the same time.

Lots of horses are afraid to be in close quarters to other horses.  It is not uncommon.

Nicanor did not instantly understand racing.  That doesn't mean he won't get it eventually.  Look at Pleasantly Perfect.  Richard Mandella called him a slow learner.  He went on to earn more than $7.8 million.

If you want some insight into the backstretch, rent or buy the DVD "On the Muscle."  It is a year of filming Richard Mandella's barn, culminating in the Breeders Cup.

Concerned Fan,

My wedding invitation was revoked a long time ago, lol!

Yes, I am serious about not reading too much into what the connections say.  That is not the same as saying they are dishonest or lying.  You just are not going to get the whole story.  And why should you?

Like a marriage, there are things that go on behind closed doors that are not up for public discussion.  That is not the same as accusing the connections of lying.  I am just recommending that you read between the lines.

And, yes, gelding would probably make Nicanor a better racehorse.  The industry has too many stallions--we don't need any more.  What the industry needs are more racehorses that race longer than their 3-year old season.

There was a horse called The Tin Man who won Grade 1 races until he was something like 9 years old.  He just retired in the last couple of years.  He was quite unsound as a young horse, bowing two tendons.  The connections gelded him so he wouldn't gain the extra bulk on his front end that a colt does.  If he hadn't been gelded, he probably would have been too hard on his front end with the extra couple of hundred pounds.

He was a wonderful racehorse that competed at the highest levels until a routine x-ray at the end of his last season revealed a chip in his knee (might have been ankle).  It wasn't bothering him but they decided to remove it anyway.  He injured himself coming out of the anesthetic and destroyed his knee.  I believe he survived that and has been sent to the farm.  The bottom line is that he wouldn't have been the successful racehorse he was without being gelded.

Will the Thoroughbred breed miss having another stallion?  No it won't.  There are too many mediocre horses being bred, both mares and stallions.  I don't care how "well bred" a stallion prospect is, most are mediocre stallions at best.  Nicanor is no Buckpasser, considered to be the most perfectly conformed horse of all time.  Nicanor has conformation flaws that would make me very hesitant to use him regardless of his racing resume.  Remember, only about 25% of stallion prospects ever turn out to produce well enough to continue to be stallions.

If you really are concerned with the unwanted horse problem, you would think about some of what I say.

JAJ IS invited to the wedding because she/he knows how to be civil and have constructive imput.  Now it is her/his choice to attend or not but the invitation stands.  Everyone that is decent is invited to the wedding.  

JAJ's comment about the gelding is not a bad idea.  I don't think that anyone should speak for the Fans of Barbaro that are not Fans of Barbaro.  I myself think that may just help his racing career.  I am a big time Fan of Barbaro but I don't think that the Jacksons would do it.  I don't have a problem with it because I love Nicanor no matter what he does or what he becomes.  :)

Secretariat's Blinkers:

Ron Turcotte who was Secretariat's regular rider didn't think he needed blinkers and stated so publicly.

I suspect there was a reason for putting blinkers on Secretariat in the first place and no one wanted to risk taking them off.  Why fix what isn't broken.

If a horse wins a race, you are not allowed to change the equipment.  I'm not 100% sure, but I think a trainer can ask the racing office to change the equipment, but the race office is not obligated to allow a change (after a win).

If a horse doesn't win, the trainer can change the equipment but has to notify the race office of the change.  I think equipment changes have to be published in the program.  I'm fuzzy on this because they are rules I as an owner don't have to deal with.

As I understand it, equipment changes are regulated to keep racing honest for the bettors.

JAJ

I am really good friends with the racing director in my state.  I'll ask him.  I like your POSITIVE imput.  Even if you dissagree with others, you are adult and civil about things from what I have seen.  :)  I have learned from you.  

JAJ

I just emailed my friend that is the racing director in my state and asked him this question.  I should have an answer soon.  He may be off today but he always gets back to me rather quickly. :)

"Sunny day :)  I have a question that I know you can answer.  When a horse is registered to race with blinkers and win, do they ALWAYS have to wear them after that win?  OR can the trainer run them without blinkers after the win.    Happy Trails and I'm coming out to see you soon............  On a day when there is no racing.   Hope you are well."  

JAJ

Don't forget about John Henry too and Forego.  Gelding is the number one step to the horrible problem that we have toward too many horses.  VERY good post! You obviously have it together when it comes to the grand scheme of things.  That is where the problem begins.  Geld the stallions or colts and we can save so many more unwanted horses.   Actually this very topic is being disscused in DC.  

In that last photo you can certainly see how big Nicanor has gotten to be.  He is towering over Michael and everyone else nearby!  He's a beautiful, beautiful horse.

Nic did VERY well in this race! I was pretty sure he was going to win, but place is nothing to sneeze at for a second race! He looked 100% better in this race and from now he should just improve. Hopefully he'll break his maiden with his third! I'm rooting for ya, Nic!  

Beautiful photos, by the way!

Amanda.  I kind of thought that.  If the trainer registers the horse with blinkers then they can't remove them for that particular race right?  That was always my impression.  I didn't think it affected all of the races.  Thanks for the information.  I am sure I will get the same answer from my friend.  :)

Greg J. and Rechelle, On March 8th I posted on another Bloodhorse Nicanor blog that it might benefit Nicanor to wear blinkers.  JAJ said that Nicanor runs straight and wearing blinkers would make him more agressive, so he did not think the blinkers would help Nicanor.  

I told JAJ that Nicanor is running straight, but blinkers are also used to block part of the vision of the horse so as to enable him to concentrate in racing and not be sidetracked by other factors.   For a moment I think that Nicanor lost his concentration.

I agree with Rechelle.  

Amanda,

I just checked with my trainer and where I race (Woodbine, Ontario) the stewards can force you to wear blinkers when you want to take them off if you have won the previous start wearing them.

She was forced to wear blinkers after winning a couple of races with a horse, even though she wanted to take them off.  She argued that she was stretching the horse out from a sprint to a route, but they still forced her to keep blinkers on the horse.

Amanda.  I think you are right.  I haven't heard from my friend but I seem to recall a trainer telling me one day that when the horse is registered with blinkers, it is only for THAT race.  Maybe it is a Canada thing.  When I get my response, I will let you know straight from the director of racing what he has to say about it.  :)

Hi Amanda,

I think it is at the stewards' discretion.

There are a lot of bad things I could say about the race office, but since I still race there I will respect their infinite wisdom.

In the case I referred to, the horse had won two races with blinkers and the stewards refused to let the trainer take them off.  The horse lost that next race, so she was free to remove them.  It happened to my trainer, so it isn't third-hand information.  I just checked with her about it today.

Stardust, you might be right in that it is only a Canada thing.  Sometimes stewards have their own interpretation of the rules.

My trainer did add that she thought that in a stakes, the trainer could probably remove the blinkers (with notification to the race office and the betting public, of course) since a trainer would likely be trying to win any stakes race they ran in.

Most of these rules are meant to safeguard the betting public, to make sure everyone is honestly trying to win rather than "fix" a race.

JAJ

I know it has mostly to do with the wagering.  I was told that once a horse is registered with or without blinkers, it could not be changed.  This came from one of the trainers that I know.  I still don't have the word from my friend.  I do believe you RE: the decisions made by the stewards.  I think they have the final say.  I am not an expert on any of this so I have to go with what others say.  

As for the Canada thing, I have no clue.  I do remember asking one day if they could remove the blinkers at the last minute and was told no but that was a couple of years ago.  I believe you too.  I just don't know what the deal is here.  Maybe different states and countries do thing differently.  All I will know for sure is how MY state does this when I get my answer.  :)

Wow Nicanor looks like a natural when he is racing. He is a stunning boy. And he didn't lose to that other horse by a far margin. He is like a pro.

Thank you for your responses JAJ.

Here is a site, apparently concerned with Barbaro too, with some information about race horses, tack, etc.:

www.timwoolleyracing.com/.../frequently_aske.php

If you click on the first question, the other questions and answers will come up below it.  I would also suggest Googling your questions and reading other sites.

Re:  Gelding

Is a race horse ever gelded just because he runs a bit rank on the track, or is a combination of a difficult to handle horse on and off the track both?

I've never seen a proper conformation shot of Nicanor, or Barbaro for that matter, so I'm wondering what you see in his conformation that gives you pause?  I know riding horse conformation and the basics would be the same. That said, I know very well that pretty is as pretty does and what counts is what they can do!

It would be a tough decision on gelding- sometimes it's not the super star that makes the best stallion.  

May I jump in Amanda and JAJ? Taking blinkers on or off is an equipment change and you must see the stewards about it BEFORE you enter the horse. Saying that, was this horse a 2 yr old? It may have okayed from the gate with blinkers on that may be why they didn't let her take them off. Things like wraps and blinkers are noted in the Daily Racing Form so that is why they have to be logged with the stewards.

Greg, that last photo -- Nicanor towers over everyone.  Was that your impression when you saw him last weekend?  Is he a big horse?  He certainly is a beautiful horse!

JAJ and Amanda  

This is very interesting.  I got this from our racing director this morning.  I am surprised at this.  JAJ is right.  He says not always but it appears that JAJ is pretty on target.  I am glad I learned this.  WOW.  I posted the question in another post as you both know.  This is something that I never knew.  Maybe I need to take more lessons from JAJ. :)

"Not always, but the next time they run they have to wear what equipment they wore last time.

Sunny again today!"

I think Nicanor is amazing. He could end up being a very nice 4-year old, if his 3-year-old season keeps improving at this rate!! Maybe even the breeders cup?? We'll see...!! =]

thanks for the photos you are beautiful good race hang in there you can win next time out just run safe and strong legs love you

I do agree with the few people who have already suggested that Nicanor might get better if he was gelded. The horse would more than likely become more focused and might learn to rate easier. The horse racing industry really won't miss one less stallion. I, [personally, wouldn't breed half of the stallions that are currently out there..but that's just me.

Blinkers are an interesting idea though. I know there are a few different types of blinkers that are used to for different purposes, but I don't expect Matz to do an equipment change until the horse matures a little more. And anyways, Matz will do whatever is best for his horses, so that's that I guess. Its a very interesting idea.

Speaking of equipment, does anyone know what the shadow roll is used for? I think I heard that it was to keep a horse looking straight or something like that...so they don't veer or something, but I'm not really sure. Anyone know?

Someone reported a 97 Beyer for nicanor's second race.  Don't remember who that was (thought it was Gre) but whomever it was, please tell us where you got that stat.  Thank you.

Happy Birthday Nicanor, hope you have a great birthday today and they serve you lots of hay-cakes.

Horsefirst,

Gelding is done to make the horse more safe and manageable.  There is a reason that virtually all male riding horses are gelded.

By the time colts turn 3, they are often exhibiting stallion-like behaviors--biting, aggression, too much interest in other horses, especially the fillies.  Colts are also really quick to strike with their front feet.

A colt might spendsall his effort trying to be a stallion instead of being a racehorse.  These horses can be very frustrated and dangerous.  Not always, but it is pretty common.

Sometimes a colt's testicles cause him pain when racing.

A gelding is not driven by stallion behaviors.  The typical biting of a colt tends to do stops.  So does the tendency to be really light on their front end and strike.  They can be stabled anywhere in the shedrow, and not off in the corner as some trainers do.

Many owners fear they will lose out on lucrative stallion syndicate deals at the end of their horse's race career.  Few racehorses manage to race in the upper echelons that warrant them ever reproducing.

Some, like me, worry that with the new ban on anabolic steroids, that geldings will be handicapped as racehorses.  As the rules stand, geldings can have something like 20ng testosterone in their body, while mares and fillies can have 55ng.  Colts and stallions can have a lot more.  Adding testosterone to a gelding is not the same as adding it an athlete who already has testicles that produce the hormones.  When we geld (castrate) a horse, we take away their natural production of testosterone.  Adding it is only to bring it back to what is naturally produced.  It bothers me that I can't have a gelding's testosterone levels the same as he would have if I hadn't gelded him.

I was hesitant to geld my current 3yo in the fall of his yearling year because I knew anabolic steroids would be banned, but did anyway.  it hasn't seemed to have hurt him.

Jess,

Re Shadow roll

Not one of my racehorses has ever worn a shadow roll, so I may not be the best to answer your question.

My understanding is that a shadow roll blocks the vision the horse has of the ground close up, so the horse doesn't shy at things like shadows on the ground.

Wanda,

I don't know if the horse my trainer wanted to take the blinkers off was a 2 year old or not.

It had won a race in blinkers.  She asked to remove the blinkers for her next start and was refused permission to do so.  The horse won that next start (two in a row wearing blinkers), and again she asked to remove the blinkers and was not allowed.  The horse lost the third race and she then took them off for the next race.

Jess

A Shadow roll is used to keep a horse's eyes focused forward and away from distractions underfoot.

It's usually used on a horse that's been shying away from sudden changes in light that occurs on the track. It keeps the head low and prevents the horse from climbing, allowing the animal to run level. It wouldn't surprise me if Nicanor was wearing one in his next race.

Jess inquired about a shadow roll you all might want to watch this video www.youtube.com/watch. One of our favorite horses is wearing one.

Marigold, I had posted that Beyer Number for Nicanor, I am trying to find the link for it, I will post it when I find it, OK?, How about my "Freisan Fire"!!!!!, He is Becoming that "Freak" I predicted 3 months ago, Now everyone is jumping on his/my bandwagon!

Also, I expect Nicanor will get a work-out either today or tomorrow, On Dirt, I think Mr. Matz will go up to 5F or 6F, His next race (I hope) should be first wek in April, On Dirt, either 1 mile or 1 1/16 @ Gulfstream. He needs the confidence, so Mr. Matz has to find that race for him, We will see....

Does anyone know when Nicanor will be racing again and where? Also, any pictures on the new brother?

JAJ and Amanda.

I thought I would put this in one post so it would make sense to everyone else.  My question to my friend (he is the racing director of my state)  was this;  JAJ I must say that I was very surprised to get this answer.  I really didn't ever think that this was a rule.  Thanks for being so patient and kind about this with me.  You are a good person to learn from.  I like the way that you have debates without the bashing.  That shows incredible maturity.  :)  

"Sunny day :)  I have a question that I know you can answer.  When a horse is registered to race with blinkers and win, do they ALWAYS have to wear them after that win?  OR can the trainer run them without blinkers after the win.    Happy Trails and I'm coming out to see you soon............  On a day when there is no racing.   Hope you are well."  

His answer was this;

"Not always, but the next time they run they have to wear what equipment they wore last time.

Sunny again today!"

Greg, thank you for your posts, always look forward to them.  I went looking to see if Virtual Stable ahad posted a work for Nicanor today, they hadn't.  So, I expect one tomorrow.

I pulled out my calendar last night to try and figure when his next race was likely to be.  I, too, concluded that it would be early in April.  I'm learning!  HRTV announcers were very complimentary in their evaluation of him on Saturday.  Did anyone hear them?  They praised his efforts, potential and his gallop out last weekend.  Feel he has tremendous potential and will start winning soon. Good to hear some good opinions of our guy for a change.   A friend relayed this information to me, because I don't have HRTV.  Anyone else hear this?

Oops!!!, HAPPY BELATED 3RD BIRTHDAY TO NICANOR(MARCH 15, 2006)!!!, You are NOW officially Three Years old!!!

Godspeed Nicanor...

Greg J:

Yes, you have ALWAYS backed FF! He does sort of remind me of Secretariat pulling away in the stretch, he is my #1 in Derby contenders.

I saw a post on ABR, that stated Nic's Beyer at 97 also.

JAJ  

I really like this gelding idea.  This would so cut down on all of these unwanted horses.  We have way too many now and it is hard to find homes for them.  I only know about 4 people that have the room to take horses in.   I also am involved with a lot of these rescue centers all over the nation and I throw in money for their care.  The thing is it starts with the BREEDING.  I so agree with you on this.  When I was in DC in January a lot of people I was around were talking about this very thing.  Start at the beginning of the problem and deal with that and the problem becomes easier to cope with.  We have been helping horses since the demise of Barbaro but there is not enough room for all of them.  It does not make sense for a stallion to breed if they aren't producing good race horses.  In a lot of cases they don't.  

I am sure that when things start to settle down with the economy and the top priorities in Washington, they will get around to this.  I have heard bits and pieces of them acting on this but it is not on the top of their list.  It sure would help though wouldn't it.  So many people think that gelding is mean or this or that but really it is the best thing.  It would save more horses in the long run.  If we stop living in the problem and start living in the solution, the problem goes away.  In this case, gelding the stallions is the solution.  Anyway these are my thoughts.  There are exceptions like AP Indy and Dynaformer but for the most part, I feel that a lot of them need to be gelded and live out their lives as a pet and just being a horse.  :)

I saw Friesan Fire run last Saturday.  He is one beautiful  horse, just like Secretariat.  His pedigree is outstanding.    

Greg J.  

OK I am sold on FF.  Now if he doesn't hit, it is on you LOL!  I have some time to do some homework here for the first Satuday in May.  Just haven't really been into it that much at all since last year.  

Thanks Marigold...

Mary, You are Soooo Right on Freisan Fire's Pedigree!. I just love this horse!(Second to Nicanor, Of course!)..After his win Saturday his odds on the KD futures went down to 9-1..Oh Well. I do think it will be very tough for him to better "The Awesome Pamplemousse" though.

If you want to see pure speed look at Pamplemousse in action:

www.youtube.com/watch

So remember everyone, "The Awesome Pamplemousse" & "Freakin Freisan Fire" will go 1/2 in the Derby, Mark my words....

Stardust,

Gelding would not likely have an impact on the number of foals born.  However, taking the "marginal" mares out of production will reduce the foal population.  By marginal, I mean the mare that lacks the racing ability and the pedigree to warrant reproducing herself.  I firmly believe that just because a Thoroughbred has a uterus is NO reason to breed her.  There are a lot of those marginal mares that have been adding to the annual foal crop.  Often, the owners can't afford a stud fee to a stallion that would give the foal a hope of making it as a racehorse.

I think the economy is going to take care of the over production problem.  People in marginal financial situations are desperately looking for homes for those marginal mares, and sadly for those not-so-marginal mares.  In tough economic times, those homes just aren't there.

It is a bad year to be a horse.

Greg J., the Pamplemousse looks great.  Friesan Fire has a great pedigree, the Pamplemousse's pedigree is not so good.  Both great horses.  

You know, there is something that great horses posssess, and it cannot be bred into them, and that is heart.  It is in the eyes of those horses that when a rival pulls up along side of them and looks them in the eye, they fight back.  Some horses when challenged, give up.  Nicanor for a moment was intimidated, but then he fought back.  Nicanor has heart.  He wasn't expecting another horse to challenge him.  Again, Nicanor has heart; it's innate.  Remember Affirmed and Alydar; they are forever linked together, both had heart.      

For all those people who want the stats on races run go to the Equibase site, You can get to it from Bloodhorse.com.

I guess, Nicanor has not worked out since his last race on the 7th of March.  That seems odd to me? is it?  Could Nicanor have left for Keeneland with MM or is he hurt also????

wow! in the 3rd to last photo you can REALLY see his determination start to kick in! It's too bad he didn't realize it sooner =]

Well, hey, you can't win 'em all but you sure can try!!

Love you Nickors<3

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