May it be a filly!  With all the siblings out racing or in training I look forward to years of following this dynasty.  This is great!

Aaaaahhhhhhh let's hope for a filly.  Boy this mom is one busy camper.  Filly filly filly.  :)

Love you LVR. AND The Barbaro Nation.  

Hi all good news about mama i think it is filly time good luck girl.

Congratulations!  How exciting.  Maybe it will be a filly this time.  Either way, I'm sure it will be a well loved Super Star!!  Thank you so much for the good news!  The updates are greatly appreciated!  Blessings.

fab news

now lets have some filly vibes for la ville

Here is to La Ville Rouge and a healthy happy foal, hopefully a filly!

I hope it is a filly as that is what the Jacksons would like. Good luck La Ville Rouge.

go girl

    Hope Both The foal and La Ville Rouge will be healthy thoughout, Regardless if it is Female or Male( Even though the Jacksons would LOVE a Female!)....

    Thanks Amanda, Have a Great time at Preakness, I am Jealous....

This is great news! We're all routing for a filly, but first and foremost is that Mom is happy and healthy and the new foal will be the same.  Way to go!

Does anyone know WHY she has to keep on being bred to Dynaformer?  I know the Jacksons are looking for another Barbaro to come along, but c'mon! We all know that's not gonna happen, so why not choose a different stallion? We all know that she has an awesome pedigree, surely that can be matched with another stud. Who knows, maybe it would produce a Triple Crown winner!

Just a thought....

Oh my goodness!  Do we dare wish for a filly as the fifth child!  Yes, we do!  

Best wishes to La Ville Rouge and "little one".  

THINK PINK, folks!  

Can't argue with a Dynaformer filly. It's like having a Rahy filly or a Quiet American filly. I hope the Jacksons get their wish next year and she delivers a healthy filly for them.

The news just keeps getting better and better.  Thank you Amanda for all you do to keep us informed on Barbaro's family.

For the Jackson's sake I hope this time LVR produces a filly.

I will love the foal the same no matter what. :):):)

YAY!! Im hoping for a filly as well! Would be awesome if she had one and she went on to run in the Oaks!! =]

so I see the revered Nicanor has finally won a race. good for him, much deserved. funny how it took a trip to Delaware Park to accomplish the goal!

I'm from the Phila. area, so LVR - how about a Filly for your fans in Philly?? (and everywhere else)

Greg J.,

Elaine took about 65-80 pics of Nicanor. Got some great shots from paddock to winner's circle.  Would love to send you some if you could get an e-mail address to Karen or Berner.

wow,LVR is certainly busy!

Hoping 4 a filly!

I vote for a SPA DAY for La Ville Rouge for all the beautiful babies

she brings into the world,she deserves it!

Great news, thanks aduckworth. I join in the chorus, Filly,Filly Filly. I hope the mare remains safe and healthy. She means the world to us.

Thanks Dynaformer, you're the man!

I TOO HOPE IT IS A FILLY, I KNOW SHE WILL BE BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY,,  FOB

THINK PINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XXOO

Great News about La Ville Rouge!!  May we pray this is a filly and give this great MaMa a break. I have good feelings that this is the filly that the Jacksons have been dreaming of. Best of Luck, La Ville Rouge.  Think Pink!!!

Cheers,

Joan/VA

ALB

Most farms have bloodstock agents.  There job is to figure out which mare is going to mix the best with which stallion.

We know Barbaro is gone.  And we know that lightning doesn't usually strike twice--figuratively speaking.  But wouldn't be awesome to have a little sister to Barbaro???

Dynaformer is 24.  That's getting up there in horse years.  La Ville might get to see him for another couple of years at best.

Me I'm so happy that this breeding took when it did.  I was at TC 24 hours after she got into foal.

Thinking pink and thinking healthy.

Rick!!!

AND WITH A FEMALE JOCKEY ON HIS BACK!!!  HE WAS FINALLY "FULL" OF RUN WITH EARS COCKED...A SURE SIGN HE WAS ENJOYING WHAT HE WAS DOING..CONGRATS. TO ALL CONNECTIONS..COULD BE HE'S A "TURF" HORSE?????

Congrats to the Jacksons and may they have a filly!! Please La ville! We'll cheer extra louder and more and never give up hope!!! I always said his sister would be named Barbara! lol. Can't wait to know what it will be!

A LITTLE FILLY TO USE THE CALYPSO NAME WOULD BE IDEAL BUT ALL HOPING FOR A HEALTHY (AND SMALLER IN CONSIDERATION OF LVR) WOULD BE FANTASTIC. LOVE ALL OF THE GORGEOUS BOYS AND MOM AND FEISTY POP.

ALB, I'm with you on wondering why the Jacksons keep returning La Ville Rouge to Dynaformer.

Nicanor breaking his maiden so spectacularly on the turf and in the spring of his three-year-old year is so much more like a Dynaformer offspring than Barbaro was.  I think Barbaro was an exception to the kind of offspring Dynaformer usually sires and it seems that La Ville Rouge's other Dynaformer offspring are running truer to type than Barbaro did.

I would love to see La Ville Rouge bred to Ghostzapper.  I think that would be a cross more likely to result in a Derby horse than the Dynaformer cross will.

OTOH, if any of La Ville Rouge's other Dynaformer foals turns out to be a turf champion, that wouldn't be a bad thing....

THINK PINK!!!

Congrats to LaVille, Mill Ridge, Dynaformer, the Jacksons, Three Chimmneys and ALL the brothers.  Let's all hope for a healthy pregnancy for mom and baby.

Think pink!

I would like to see a filly but as I stated before, Dynaformer is trying to run out the hound painting with boys, so if this be the case she has another in the hopper, then maybe she will get her filly.

Regarding breeding her to another stallion other than Dynaformer, she was once. The foal right after Barbaro wasn't by Dynaformer, and he never raced. He ended up gelded and sent to be a riding horse, as he wasn't interested in racing. Looks like Dynaformer works well with her. Mahubah wasn't bred to anyone but Fair Play, either.

Ginnie J & everyone: It is the stallion who determines the foal's sex.  Mares have only female chromosomes, but stallions have both male & female chromosomes, so we need to talk to Dynaformer if we want a full sister for the Jacksons.

I don't really care whether it is a filly or a colt. Just a healthy foal that turns out to be a good racer and has a long, happy life would be all I could ask for.

I am glad that they keep breeding La Ville Rouge to Dynaformer. Barbaro was a great racehorse, and now it appears that Nicanor will be a good racehorse. How good remains to be seen. The combination of La Ville Rouge and Dynaformer appears to be a good one.

ALB,

The Jackson's keep breeding to Dynaformer because they are happy with the foals they have from the breeding.

True, they are unlikely to get another Barbaro, but that doesn't mean they won't get another very good horse.  Or a horse that will produce a very good horse.

It appears they very much want a full sister.  We need to remember that it is their breeding program, their dime and their decision.

Breeding even a winner is something to celebrate.  Stakes winners are few and far between, with only 6% of foals born ever becoming stakes winners.  Graded stakes winners are even fewer.

There is a lot of wisdom in wanting a filly by Dynaformer.  The LVR/Dynaformer cross produced one heck of a race horse.  Even if they get a filly, and she's a non-starter, they have the potential for another great broodmare with that kind of history for the cross.  They want a filly, ultimately, for breeding purposes, much like LVR.  Getting the Mr. Prospector back further in the lines helps as goodness knows it's hard enough to find a good stallion for crossing purposes  without him in the bloodlines.  I am not a fan of the Mr. Prospector lines for soundness reasons.  If they are going to continue in the business and want sound, successful horses, getting that filly from this cross is a potential gold mine.

That said, everything in racing is a crap shoot.  I just can see why they want that filly so much.  I would too!

Saint Ballado was a very good sire, but so is Dynaformer. La Ville Rouge seems to do well with the Hail To Reason line.

I am glad that Nicanor hasn't been put through the gruelling triple crown. It is good that they are taking their time with him. There are other races and other stakes races, which I have a feeling that he will eventually race in.

If Nicanor can end up winning a stakes race or two, then I predict that he will get plenty of interest as a stallion.

And even if none of the sons become popular commercial sires, Gretchen and Roy can opt to use any of them in their breeding program.

That youngest one looks like he's going to be fun for them from what we're reading.

John,

I couldn't agree with you more.

Greg J.  

I put Mine That Bird and RA in an exacta.  I also did a cross up of those two on a win and a high 5 super.  Musket Man was in my high 5 so I hit 3 of the 5 horses.  

Congrats to RA and of course now we really do know that Mine That Bird was not a fluke.  That was quite the race.  From last to 2nd at the wire and less than a length at that.  I think if the two of them go to the Belmont, MTB will beat her.  That would be the real test there.  

I really feel too that had Calvin not jumped ship, Mine That Bird would have won today.  Did Calvin throw away a Triple Crown?  We will never know.  :)

prediction: Nicanor will be a dynamite broodmare sire.

I said the same thing about Secretariat and was nay-sayed by many a friend.

Just my two cents after watching RA -not like- the track and win the Preakness. Old Hilltop is hard to love but still don't want to see her as condos.

I don't know where the post under my name came from, but this is not what I wrote.  I wrote that La Ville Rouge has nothing to do with determining her foals' sexes.  Since mares have only female chromosomes & stallions have both male & female chromosomes, it is always the stallion who determine's the sex, same as in humans.  I said that we need to talk with Dynaformer if we want a filly for the Jacksons.  

Wow, let's hope La Ville's health holds out with yet another pregnancy!   Better her than me, but what's up with one foal a year?

Can she take a year off?

Let's see if the predictions about Lentenor are correct, the predictions about his spooky resemblance to Barbaro and a similarity in the way he responds to  Gretchen Jackson,exactly the way Barbaro did. If there is reincarnation, I hope Barbaro has entered Lentenor's spirit, Barbaro lived a great deal of his life (for a horse 8 months is a great deal of time) in the hospital then euthanized. Let's hope Barbaro can have a second chance at life through his brother---wow....if there IS a God.  I'll keep praying for that anyway. It will be great to see Lentenor in the 3 year old preps next year.  Poor Barbaro spent his time in this world pleasing others, fighting for his life, then death by lethal injection. How awful.

La Ville....take some time off.

Thank God! I hope it's a filly this time but as long as it's healthy, I'm happy. Good Luck, Ms. Rouge, you're doing a great job!

Once again, congrats to Team Nicanor and their star, Nicanor, himself, for the outstanding performance in his last race. Also, I agree with Tracy. A nice, special "spa day" for La Ville Rouge is befitting this mama. She certainly can be proud of her family and the new colt or filly on the way! May they all be blessed with good health and happy days ahead.    

Ghostzapper, while interesting, would too closely inbreed both the MR. P and Blushing groom line present in Carson City.  However, as far as overall soundness is concerned- outside of Barbaro, Carson City's progeny (like several other Mr. P sons) have been as durable as any other prevalent breeding lines.

Think pink, think pink! Oh, yeah, a sis would be great! Come on, Calypso!

If the foal turns out to be another boy, here's hoping health for mom and little one. When will the Jacksons submit the new boy's name? Just curious.

aduckworth...a question please sir...what made Mr. Matz decide to run Nicanor on the grass at this particular time....frankly, looking at the video, he seemed to be "happier" there...I know he did a lot of "training" up and down hills, etc. which was on grass...makes sense to me......

Thinking Filly all the way. Love this family. Just hope LVR has a happy and safe pregnancy. I love all the Barbaro brothers. It's going to be so much fun watching them grow up.

Ignoratioelenchi Elaine! Your comments are not only ignorant and misplaced, they are totally uncalled for. If you were a fan of this blog, you would have read Amanda's correcting a few misinformed people about La Ville Rouges' broodmare status. The comments about Barbaro are offensive. How Disgusting.

How about some news on Lentenor. Will he run as a 2 year old?

I put this on the site with LVR and Baby so I thought I might as well put it here.

In one of the articles about Nicanor's win his fans were called the FON's. I thought that was a great idea for us. We are now the Friends of Nicanor and Friends of Lentenor and Friends of Babynor. How special for us. How about we go by FON's since our beloved Barbaro is not with us now. And I mean no disrespect for him. I still cry evertime I read about him or we discuss him on this site. It's still quite painful for me. I'll ptrobably cry like a baby when I visit his statue at Church Hill in June. But we must move on. Nicanor is here now and in the present and we should support him in everyway we did Barbaro. And when Lentenor needs our support we'll be there for him. Same with Babynor. I'm not saying we don't support Nicanor but it really bothers me because he's always referred to as Barbaro's brother. He is his own horse, so to speak. Why can't we make him such? Just an idea...let me know what your thoughts are on this. Greg J, Rags, Stardust, anybody.

WOW!!! What a great Preakness. That's one for the girls (FILLY's). Also, now we know Mind That Bird is for real. I just love his story. Wish both he and RA the best in the Belmont. That is if RA races.

So far all six of her foals have been colts, I think we will get the seventh brother before we get a filly. The last foxhound is Calypso, which really is the only name that would be appropriate for a filly.

Whatever happened to The Barbaro Stakes??? Wasn't that one of the races on Preakness Day?

congrats to dynaformer, dynaformer has now sired 100 stakes winners! it would be nice to see a laville rouge-dynaformer filly, but we all will be happy to see a happy, healthy, baby horsey!  

Hope she has twins and lucky for RA, and Bird that Nicanor wasn't entered in the Preakness! He may lose again!

That poor mare.  Give her a season off, already.

Filly, Filly, Filly!!!!!!! PLZ!

correction-He may never lose again !

LOU IN TX.,

      I also saw that, F.O.N.'S, (Fans of Nicanor's), Loved it!, You are right, He needs to be known as his own self, Taking nothing away, of course, from the Great Barbaro, But Nicanor Needs his own Identity....

Umm, How About:

"BARBARO'S BAND OF BROTHER'S"

FON'S , FOL'S , FOM'S , Etc...

Just a thought, lol.....

SANDIEH,

    I join you in your Congrats to the Great, Dynaformer, one of this decade’s most successful sires, For his off spring's 100 Stakes Wins...

Article on Bloodhorse.com:

www.bloodhorse.com/.../dynaformer-sires-100th-stakes-winner

aduckworth..

Thank you for answering my inquiry..yes, I know they tried Nicanor on both or all surfaces...just a matter of time will tell Mr. Matz which  he is best suited for. Just reviewing all videos and he "seemed" happpier running on the grass..I'm far from expert, but the "eye" sees what it sees...once again, Mahalo.......  

Lou in Texas:

Guess, I will always be a Fan Of Barbaro, his brothers will follow with all the love in the world directed toward them....FOB forever, FON,FOL,FObabynor all in the memory of BARBARO.....( all for one, one for all).....

The Phantom:

I read somewhere that twins were dangerous.. both to the foal  and the mother...so I hope there is only one foal for mom......

La Ville Rouge.....

Lou in TX

Hey I think that is a good idea but I think we could come up with a better idea if we put our minds to it like we did with the wedding :)  Remember it is Dynaformer, LVR, Barbaro, Nicanor, Lentenor and Babynor now. How about:

Fans of BNLB.  Greg J.  Ragsy?  Got any input?  Like the idea though cause it does put a different aspect toward it.  One thing we really never want to do is make sure that we never forget the big boss horse.  Had it not been for his fight to survive, the FOB's wouldn't exist.  There are a lot of people that love Barbaro that hate racing.  They also love his brothers.  Have to give that one some thought.  :)

Mary, Honalulu,

Yes, Nicanor looks pretty happy up there on the lead.

It is very intoxicating for a horse to be up there loose on the lead the way Nicanor was.

The Phantom, no one wants twins in horses!!!!!  Most of the time one or both twins die.  If one miraculously survives, it is quite stunted.

"Barbaro's Band of Brother's"

That is my New Name for this Great Group(If LVR has a Filly, Well, That name will change, lol....)

Nicanor can run on any surface now, he has learned how to win , blinkers and bloodlines make him a future lock in many races.I believe in time he can take on the likes of Rachel and Bird. Twins depends on the mother but 2 more future locks for betting would be nice.I'm going to make easy money on this family and especially now on Nic.

Greg J.

I like that.  Barbaro's Band of Brothers.  BBoB's.  Yeah that is good.  And by the way, how did you do on the Preakness?  :)

Ragsy what do you think?  :)

anxious now to hear when is nicky's next race, i hope we can hear some news on lennie, soon. babynor looks like he is half grown already. sweet love to you precious babies. i heard that plans are being made to breed rachel alexander to curlin, when she is retired. omg, mega horsey!

Mr. Phantom, La Ville Rouge simply isn't a large enough mare to handle twins, so please do not wish this upon her. I wouldn't be at all surprised if her current foal didn't require additional hands to help him to be born.

Also, I am curious as to what happened to make you such an ardent fan of Nicanors?

I knew you were a fan even if you didn't always sound like it, but what solidified it for you?

Stardust,

     Go to Wedding , I Posted my Preakness there, LOVE "Barbaro's Band of Brother's"...

    Here is a Video(Part of) of "Lentenor" at Fair Hill(?), Looks like he is getting there...

Listen to Him "Snicker", lol...

usat.gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net/.../launch.html

Hi Greg J, Rags, Stardust

Thanks for the feedback. Brother's of Barbaro? Hmmmmm. I guess that will be o.k. but I still like FON's for Nicanor. I guess it's still hard for some to let the Barbaro name drop off for now. After all he is the 1st brother to Barbaro. I just like to think of him as Nicanor. His own life not Barbaro's. Greg, I loved the video you included in your post. Nic is full of himself but that's what makes him special, because he is special and I'm glad he knows it. Lentenor will learn how special he is when he's more exposed to the public. They have kept him out of the public eye for quite a while now. He just doesn't know how much he is loved yet. Although you don't see Barbaro's name connected to him like Nicanor. Guess that will change when he starts getting more publicity.

Will check the Wedding site to see how you did at Preakness. Hope you did well.

Kathy,easy money, dinero a solid lock I made a ton of money on him last week, I just knew he was going to win.One thing you have to keep in mind is to be impartial when talking about a horse even one you like- candy coating things like 'some whatever you say boss workers' is not my style. He did look skinny that has changed,obviously I wouldn't be commenting on this blog if I wasn't a fan and a bigger fan now after that impressive win and seeing the maturing of a potential star. I really do believe he has so much upside now and with the bloodline anything is possible. I know some people just want to throw out superlatives  and not even caring if he ever won or how he runs, he was bred to be a racehorse and future stallion.He is always going to be a good bet in any race.

As for the twins I was saying that tongue in cheek I didn't really know that having twins was so dangerous, another one will be fine. Some of these brothers, maybe  all possibly  will run in stakes company its in the genes. Maybe not another Barbaro but they will give a good account of themselves. I agree with G J he has to stake out his own claim to fame besides just being Barbaro's brother and I think he's on his way to doing it.The improvement with blinkers is astonishing but good training and maturing have also made him a threat each time he walks out on the track.That victory I'm sure gave him a ton of confidence and if he likes running in front or up close  so be it , nothing wrong with that style its the finish that counts.

I want to comment on the turf angle of Nicanor's races.

Turf races don't come up very often and always have a full field.  Anytime it rains (or if it has been raining in the previous few days), all the turf races are taken off the turf and run on the main track.  Everyone wants to run on turf, so the races often over fill.

Sometimes a horse that can run on dirt and turf ends up not doing well on the dirt after he has run a few times on the turf.

Entering him in turf races isn't a black and white issue.  I'm sure Matz wants Nicanor to learn to run on dirt, even if in the end he is better on turf.  It is very difficult to have a turf-only horse in the barn because so many of their races come off the turf.  Not only that, they don't write very many turf races.

Greg J.

I don't know how you find all of these video's, articles, etc but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing all of it.  As I have said in the past, I read this blog constantly, but don't always provide any input - thank you all for taking the time and keeping everyone informed.  You have no idea how appreciated it is.  Also, I really liked that "Barbaro's Band of Brothers" I think that is great.  We all love Barbaro so very deeply and following his brothers just reimforces the love we have for him.  I believe Nicanor will be a force in his own right, but keep your eyes on Lentenor - there is something about him.

Thanks again all of you for sharing your knowledge, insight and links.

Saying that the stallion alone determines the sex of the offspring is oversimplistic. While the male provides the Y (or X, as the case may be) chromosome, the mare's reproductive tract also plays a part in determining the sex of her offspring. Some mares' reproductive tracts provide much more favorable conditions for "male" sperm or for "female" sperm cells (the pH of the cervix and uterus can have a drastic effect on the survival of sperm), and may even have an effect on the survival of the developing embryo, depending upon which gender it is. Male and female sperm cells are not created equal; sperm carrying the Y chromosome (male) do better in certain environments and are more likely to reach their target (the ovum); the same is true of "female" sperm in some situations. LVR may have a reproductive tract that favors the Y-chromosome carrying sperm cells, which could make her more likely to conceive a colt.

Welcome to our site Phantom. I like this Phantom. It sounded like you were being sincere. Liked your comments. I would love it if we could call ourselves FON's (Friend of Nicanor). Of course that takes nothing away form Barbaro. But Brother's of Barbaro seems to be the name most everyone wants to use. So welcome to our brothership, that is if you want to be part of it. I like you when you are sincere and not so sarcastic. We all need to stick together and root for our #1 horse, Nicanor.

Lentenor is not far behind so we need to back him also. Sounds like he's more serious than Nic but that's o.k. we love him anyway. Then there's Babynor who is full of it. But he's so cute and sure of himself that it's acceptable. His personality may be more like Nicanors since he's gotten so much attention due to his health problems after he was first born. He definitely loves people.

Greg J you did o.k. in the Preakness.

Catch ya'll later...

DON,  I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU EVERYTIME A RACE  COMES UP WITH NICANOR, HE IS CALLED BARBARO'S BROTHER EVEN THE RACE HE WON THE ANNOUNCER SAID HE LOOKS LIKE BARBARO.  OR JUST LIKE BARBARO DID. I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT IS.  HE SHOULD BE CALLED NICANOR NOT BARBAROS LITTLE BROTHER BUT MAYBE THAT IS HOW STRONG BARBAROS SPIRIT IS.  

BARB C.,

     Your quite welcome, Thank You, I owe everything to Amanda and this great blog, For her and Nicanor's Connections allowing us into this Family, I personnally, Find it incredible that we are allowed this access, and because of it, I have become a HUGE fan of "Barbaro's Band of Brother's", and try to do my best to help or inform those less knowledgeable then myself or others that are beginners to this Great Sport...

LOU IN TX.,

    Hello there, How are you?, I agree with you on The big little guy, He sure must have gotten alot of attention early on due to his minor injuries!, Also, I like FON'S and "Barbaro's Band of Brother's", And I do think in time, Nicanor will develop his own Identity, In time and more races, He will carve his own niche as his Career unfold's....

it would be nice if this one is a filly ahe could go on to be the first filly to win the triple crown!!! that would sure bring alot of people back to racing don't you think???

lol,

   If Rosie is not able to make Nicanor's next race, MAYBE, he can do what "Dad's Dream" did yesterday at Hasting's!!!(FYI, No one was hurt, and yes, I know sometimes this can be dangerous, but no one was injured.)

    Thanks to Choklitz on ABR for the link, Funny....Now remember keep your eye on Gate #2, Enjoy:

s163788920.onlinehome.us/.../dsl_07.wmv

Jackie (Fan of Nicanor),

Of course he will be referred to as Barbaro's brother.  If you are honest, the only reason that anyone is following him is because he is Barbaro's brother who is owned and trained by the same connections who raced Barbaro.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with following a horse because of his connection to another loved horse.

In the Thoroughbred world, horses are always talked about in relation to their stakes-winning or stakes-producing relatives.  Even the super stars will have all their stakes-winning half and full siblings mentioned in most articles about them.  There is nothing wrong with that.

well ,they can't name a colt 'Calypso' can they?

Thank you Bloodhorse for the beautiful pic of LVR and colt in this weeks magazine!

Re: Twins

It's not that uncommon for a mare to begin with twins.  Sometimes one gets absorbed.  But twins are usually never, never a good thing.  I've read that it's not likely they'd make it to the track or be all that effective, even if they were born healthy.

But, in reality, now days when an ultrasound detects twins, one will be pinched off.  It's just not in anyone's best interest, the mare or the two foals, to allow a mare to carry twins to foaling.

Many years back, a mare we bought, who was pretty far along in foal at the time, delivered twins. (We didn't know and it was a new experience.  Today, I'd ask the previous owner to vet the mare out regarding what she's carrying)  Both died before the vet could get there- one of the reasons that if you can stop a twin pregnancy, you do it.

But Lou, we are fans of Nicanor, just like we are fans of Barbaro, isn't it just great.....what love can do!

Stardusty Rose:

I won on the Preakenss, but did not bet! Dang, next time I will bet.....picked the winners and never bet on them !!!!! that wont happen again I bet!!!

Jackie( Fan Of Nicanor ) I just love it when Nicky is called the Baby Brother Of Barbaro, it just seems to bring back the love of Barbaro back to focus....as if one could forget... Sweet Love To You Barbaro and his Band Of Brothers!!

Yes, Nicky is his own guy and always will be.

The Phantom:

My German Shepherd ate my $50.00 ticket on Nicanor's win.... just my luck....

Its great to hear about LVR and her new colt. The chances of a filly are slim to none but I'm not giving up hope. Unbelivieable run for Nicanor! I'm not the trainer but keep him on turf for awile like they did for Barbaro. I wish he could have been in the Kentucky Derby to show that he's something just like his brother. You got big hoof prints to fill Nicanor!! Find your running song and blow away the rest of the field!

    Congrats to The Jackson's(Lael) and Mr. Matz and Jockey Clinton L. Potts , For their Horse, "Political Nonsense" Winning yesterday's Ninth Race at Delaware Park...

Phantom, I have so misjudged you and am so sorry.  Welcome to the FONs and stay as long as you feel like doing so.  

FOr the rest of you "non-believers", read the USA Today article and read what the geneticist had to say about full siblings of great racehorses.  In any case, Nic is on his way to proving himself, and soon Lentenor will, too.  And there will come a day when someone will mention another full sibling to Barbaro, and everyone will react respectfully and anticipate the best from each one.  It's going to happen!  I've always just been so certain about that.

Nicanor just instinctively seems to want to go to the front in his races.  He tried to in his first, but had injured himself and ran into a blockade of horses.  His second race was mostly on the front with a good second finish, his third, ditto.  His last race, he ran to the front from the get-go and stayed there and then some!  He may never learn to rate.  He is very competitive, as Michael has said.  He is a powerful young horse and rather headstrong.  Rosie seemed to understand him.  Hope she stays on him!

The very precious, much loved Babynor is going to be something special, too.  I loved the centerfold of him with his mom in the recent issue of Bloodhorse.  He has a beautiful face, like his brothers and his mother, and a muscular little body already!  He's very impressive looking for one so young.

Oh, ALB, do you not know just how much the Jackson's want a filly?

Babynor is Margano - officially, betcha. See the comment by Mr. Jackson in the 5/14 TDN In Sharper Focus bit, "The [March] foal is named for the last dog, Jackson

said. 'I can't remember what it is, but it begins with an

M and it doesn't end in an -or. And that's the last one,

so the next one that is coming has to be a filly!'" Sounds like the little hunky has his papers submitted. Babynor would be a cute name for a filly. Glad to be a BBOB.

They refer to Barbaro because he was such a great horse.  It is a compliment.  We wouldn't even know these horse if it wasn't for him.  

Don't worry, Nicanor is making a name for himself.  Just give him time.

Aside to Amanda: How would one go about following the offspring and their race records of LVR's son Holy Ground. I know he is in Argentina, but I really like him and would like to follow somehow. (I know you're busy - answer when you can.) Thanks!

Hi all

MM trained Nicanor this past Wednesday. I got this from Fair Hill Training Center web site. That's all it said. Just an FYI.

Greg J

Have you gotten the video from the people who met with MM and saw Lentenor? Please don't forget to post it here also. Read you message on Alex Brown.

If you look at the picture of just the 4 hounds. Going from right to left their names are: Nicanor, Lentenor, Sereno and Margano(Margano being the last on the left). Now I have read Margarno and Macarno, so which is right? On the web site barbaroandnicanor.blogspot.com/, they call him Margano. On the other web site it's Marcano. Do you have a clue?

Nicanor worked Wednesday but that's all it said on Fair Hill Training Center.

I depend on you to keep me posted!!!  Thanks..

Enough already!! They are not going to get a Barbaro II, so stop trying. Move on...

My Prediction on Nicanor's Next Race:

    Alright, I am going to go out on a limb for Nicanor's next race!!!, While the more likely choice would be , June 17 at Delaware on Turf, Mr. Matz likes to be conservative, I don't blame him.....BUT, I am going to shoot for the Sky on this prediction:

Nicanor's next race......

In Virginia(New Kent) at Colonial Downs, Saturday June 20,  Colonial Turf Cup(Grade 2),  1  3/16 Mile on Turf, $500,000 Stakes Race!!!!!!!!, Call me Crazy, But I think Nicanor is ready after breaking his Maiden....

THEN

In Virginia(New Kent) at Colonial Downs, Saturday, July 18, The Virginia Derby(Grade 2), 1  1/4 Miles on Turf, $750,000 Stakes Race!!!!!!!

I know, Maybe getting ahead of myself, BUT, The Jacksons know their way to New Kent having won the Colonial Turf Cup Gr. 3 with "Showing Up" a few years back(2006).

Call it a Hunch.....We Shall See....

GREAT ARTICLE in NY TIMES:

www.nytimes.com/.../23racing.html

After His June 17 Race(YES!), Maybe, Just Maybe,  The Virginia Derby, a $750,000 race July 18 at Colonial Downs.

The Sky's the Limit for Nicanor....

Yes, Nicanor needs his own idenity. Barbaro was a woderful, fantastic, amazing colt but Nicanor is related to him but not him. I know that I'm not the trainer but I would have done the same thing to Nicanor as they did to Barbaro. By starting him out on turf then slowly moving to dirt. I dont belivie that Nicanor will lose another race. Nicanor has found his theme song(just like his older brother).

Congrats on the new, thinking pink..

Don't think FON's is a good idea.

Don't change what isn't broken.

FOB covers all of Barbaro, his brothers, hopefully his sister and everything GOOD that is his legacy.

Leave well enough alone.

think pink!

Thanks Mr. Phantom for your reply and pearls of racetrack wisdom.

Jackie(Fan of Nicanor) The announcer may have been the same announcer that saw Barbaro break his maiden. Superlatives are hard to come by when any horse wins as big as Nicanor did. The announcer stumbled a couple of times. I don't believe he was prepared for Nicanor's big, big big win. The younger ones are going to have it harder than Nicanor has it as can you imagine the foal who will be born next year coming down the stretch 17 ahead of the other horses being compared to Barbaro, Nicanor, Lentenor and Margano. I can hardly wait.

I understand the Jacksons wanting to try for another Barbaro, but most of the time lightning just strikes once genetically. There is so much both the dam's and sire's genes and chromosomes can offer, but how often do just the right sperm and egg come together?  Even when Somethingroyal was bred to Bold Ruler just before and after Secretariat, they did not strike gold again. Before their mare gets too old to safely have another foal, they might want to try another stallion with similar breeding to Dynaformer.

Though I love "Barbaro's Band of Brothers," I'm not sure what the problem is being referred to as "Barbaro's Brother."  It is most certainly a reference that carries pride, history and a reference of lineage that the equine world deems critical, with every thoroughbred carrying the sire's reference and "out of" reference to the dam.

Lineage is a thing of pride, and we cannot escape the fact that Nicanor and Lentenor and the siblings to follow will all bear the story that moved us so much with them every time they make a move.  It is a sort of "dynasty" for our age.

So frankly, though we all know Nicanor, Lentenor and the rest are of themselves, and we know that they will enact their own story, it is of great pride that they carry the descriptive "Barbaro's . . ." and I am surprised this group would take issue with it.

Pride.  What better reference than Barbaro.  

FAIR HILL VISIT:

Also, I was with the group who went to Fair Hill and met Lentenor and Nicanor -- amazing!  

Lentenor is SO interactive, aware, smart as anything, built like a muscled athlete, funny and has a charm that is so apparent.  He is BIG !!!

Nicanor is really quite elegant -- though muscled, he seems leaner than Lentenor and is quieter in demeanor.

Not Lentenor !!!  That boy is ALIVE !!!  

We saw Nicanor getting his bath and getting groomed and he just behaved so beautifully.  What a gorgeous boy.

I'm sure you will see postings from the other friends in the group who were lucky enough to visit as well as pictures -- I saw a few and they are terrific. Look for their perspectives on this fantastic visit.

I cannot say enough about the kindness, graciousness and time given to us by Gray, the Parlo Manager (Peter manages the other Parlo).  All the grooms and walkers and support staff were so professional and gracious.  The other exercize riders were funny and again, SO professional.

I was lucky enough to stop Dr. Cathy Anderson from whom we have heard and read so much in relation to Barbaro and now the brothers, Nicanor and Lentenor.  Dr. Anderson is still SOOOO moved by Barbaro, and not afraid to show it.  The eloquence with which she wrote about Barbaro always profoundly impressed me, and it was such a special moment to be able to tell her that and shake her hand.  She was so gracious.  Also remember she was instrumental in the restoration and development of Fair Hill years ago.  If you have the opportunity to research her story, you should.  She is quite amazing.

Another thing that moved me was the sign "Barbaro" that is on Michael Matz's office wall -- I think this was the one that was in his Kentucky Derby saddling stall.  "Visionnaire" was also on the other wall.  That was very special.

There could not be a more meticulously kept barn/office area. Every bit of mint that sassy Lentenor kept chomping and then dropping, only to want to do it again, was swept up as soon as we moved away.  This level of expection is clearly Michael Matz, who was running around and getting 10 things done at once.  What an amazing gentleman in every bit of his demeanor.

I can't wait for you to hear the feedback from the others who were there:  Berner05, Elaine from PA and Delaware Bob !!!  My niece rounded out the group, and it was perfect.

Back to Nicanor and Lentenor -- I know we had the pleasure of being in the presence of equine history. And the fact that I stood about 5 feet away from Nicanor as he was full of his victory in the Winner's Circle just a few days before, and NOW I was caressing his velvety head and feeding him red and white swirled mints was just amazing to me.  What a truly sweet horse.  And yet he is just coming into his own fierce talent ...

Then you see Lentenor, who is much darker in person than the early pictures indicated.  His body is so very much like Barbaro's.  You're first almost startled because you think it's Barbaro. But then you see that it's all Lentenor -- he is beautiful, young and full of energy.  When he looks at you, he sees you.  He wanted to engage so much that he kept reaching over the gate and grabbing the hanldle with his mouth to try and open the door.  He wanted to be right in the middle of the group and part of the action, not just the object of wonder and adoration.  He interacted with each one of us -- gentle with my niece, nibbling lovingly on Berner05's arm, mimicking my head movements like it was a game, and responding to the experienced horse-handling hands of Elaine of PA and Delaware Bob.  

These boys are amazing, and it was an honor to meet them.  I know I was looking at the past, the present and the future of a horse-racing family and connections that will live for the ages.

Look for the other posts -- this group of friends are great people, as are so many of the FOB's and FON's and FOL's and FOM's etc. out there.  I look forward to sharing the future race experiences with them.

Karen, PA.,

    Thank You for the wonderfull description of your visit to Fair Hill, Felt like I was there with you!(Wish I was, lol).

Thanks You....

Hello Everyone,

    Here are three new pictures of Lentenor, Nicanor, Nicanor and Lentenor next to each other at Fair Hill, and the NY Times Picture of Nicanor(YES, That is Lentenor to Nicanor's left....)

Here is a link to my pictures(Elaine's Pictures!), Included in my Pictures of Nic's Win at Delaware Park on May 13...

www.flickr.com/.../8212290@N04

   A HUGE Thank you to Elaine(One of the great people I met at Delaware Park), She sent me these, Once she has all the other ones up, I am sure she will post a link to them, Thanks again Elaine....

Karen, PA said it all in her post about the day we got to spend with these wonderful,beautiful boys. Whether we call them Barbaro's brothers or Nicanor and Lentenor they are who they are. Right now, they are Barbaro's brothers, they will build their own reputation and mean just as much, if not more than Barbaro did. Most likely and with God's help they will live longer and have awesome careers. They will ALWAYS be Barbaro's brothers, but they will also be themselves. I treasure that day, I always will, I even have a bruise on my arm to show how much Lentenor liked me. To all of you who wonder what these horses are like, they are awesome people with a nation that loves them and somehow I think they know it. You have to remember what brought us all together, it was Barbaro!! They are just letting his memory live.

When you see Lentenor you will see Barbaro! Don't judge him by that let him be who he is and do whatever he was meant to do for Lentenor, in Barbaro's name, but for himself.    

Karen,

Thank you for the comments about the trip.  Do you all know how lucky you are?

I laughed out loud when I read about Lentenor trying to get out of his stall.  His mimicking people's head movements shows that is one super intelligent horse.

I bet Nicanor is turning into a professional.  He needs to show baby brother how it gets done.

Karen, your descriptions of Nicanor and Lentenor are lovely and poetic, so articulate.  Are you the lady in the picture with Lentenor over on ABR, the one with the beautiful, flaming hair?

I would imagine that walking into that barn and realizing that those are both brothers side by side would be overwhelming and just take your breath away.  Imagine what it is like to work there!

If you think of anything else, let us know! And thank you for sharing your eperience so beautifully.

Karen's details have my head spinning - and I was there!  I can add however that Lentenor does need some practice with the peppermints (yes Greg, that's my hand with the mint lol) Nicanor's got the mint thing down though.

As good as the pics are they don't start to compare with acutally being there and interacting with these guys - way cool!

For Greg J and Elaine,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for those awsome pictures!!  They mean more to me and to all those who could not be there to see our Nicky run.

Greg J, thank you for the pictures of the brothers.  It is the first time I have seen them together, both beautiful boys.

Karen.  I loved your story and know that it was probably one of the best days of your life.  I can only imagine what it would be like to be standing and hanging out with Nicanor and Lentenor.  My Gosh Heaven has fallen to Earth. :)  I am sure it will always be a very fond memory for you and I hope you get to do it more often.  Next time you guys are there, give the bro's a big kiss on those soft noses for me OK?   AND the peppermints.  Don't forget those. Barbaro must be so proud that there are so many people that love his family.  I am sure he was there with all of you as well.  

Greg J.  The pics ROCK!  :)

I am the one in the picture. It was a dream being there and touching those beautiful boys. I kept wanting to pinch my self to see if I was dreaming. I am sure Barbaro is proud of his baby brothers. They say that Lentenor actually has the track thing more now than Nicanor did, Nick wanted to play and Lentenor knows what he is there for..We will see.

Karen PA, Berner05,Elaine:

What a beautiful story you guys have given about the family of Barbaro and his Brothers....it means so much to me and the others that are unable to meet them in person...so depressing not to see Lentenor and Nicanor in person... Just lucky enough to see Barbaro one time....

Stardusty Rose and Greg J and everyone: love your posts too....

Thank You everyone

With respect Greg J let MM get him past the Non/2 Life before entering him in Stakes.

Wanda,

    Also, With all due respect, I was just echoing what Mr. Matz said, If all goes well in his next race, June 17, Then He will be pointed to the Virginia Derby.  Mr. Matz has nominated him in the Virginia Derby, Yes, I am not naive, It all depends on his result in his next race to be considered for the Derby.  But, also, going by his last race, I don't foresee any problems for Nicanor on the Turf at Delaware.  I know anything can happen in any given race, so, yes, I am not getting ahead of myself, One step at a time...

Hope that it is a filly!

Berner, Jill Stephens of Stephens Thoroughbreds in Ocala, FL used to say that Barbaro was serious at the track and Nicanor was playful.  Lentenor sounds so MUCH like Barbaro.

It is going to be fun to watch both of them develop further. Talent and pedigree will NOT be denied!