I am so grateful for some Lentenor news.  At some point this summer can we get an update on how he is doing overall?

Think Pink!

"up and coming turf specialist Nicanor"

Love that

It sounds like Lentenor is on a faster track than Nicanor was this time a year ago, or am I imagining things?

Thank you so much for the update on Lentenor. "Up and coming turf specialist Nicanor"..you got that right! :)

I can't wait to find out the sex of LVR's next foal. Tomorrow can't come soon enough. :)

Anyone know how close he is to breaking from the gate?

Thanks to BH and to Mill Ridge for continuing to provide news on this family of horses!

when does nicky race again?  

will lentenor race this fall...

can nicky race in the breeders cup?

what is the new colt's name..

thanks...

Hey nmh,

These are all good questions. Maybe I can get some answers to them when I talk to Headley Bell tomorrow about the sex of the foal LVR is carrying.

NMH - I imagine Lentenor will go to post by September.  He is progressing quicker than Nicanor did (it's been said that Lentenor is more mature at this point than Nicanor was).  I looked at early nominations for the Breeders Cup and Nicanor and Lentenor both are nominated.  Nicanor, from what I recall, was never nomintated to last year's Breeders Cup (does someone know if that is correct?) which makes me think Lentenor will start before long.  

Smartysgal - Yes, it does appear that Lentenor is on a path for a 2yo campaign.  He has matured faster than Nicanor did.  I don't recall seeing Nicanor doing published works this early, this was about the time that Matz put him on a break due to some fast growth spurts at this age.  Lentenor seems to be growing more gradually and not needing the time to mature that Nicanor needed.

Thank you for the report!  It's great news to hear that Lentenor is making so much progress at his young age.  My best wishes go to both young colts, the baby and all the connections.  What wonderful people to allow us to have glimpses into the lives of their horses we care so much for.

Thrilling news, all of it! Loved the "turf specialist" title that Nic has earned!!

Tomorrow we'll know:  filly or colt!

"full brother to up-and-coming turf specialist Nicanor"

I like the sound of that... : )

Look forward to seeing you on the track Lentenor! Keep up the good work!

I can hardly wait to hear about the gender of the foal!

*chants* filly! filly! filly! lol.

Smartysgal,

In general, two-year olds are pretty hard to get to the races.  They can be training along really well and then, poof, they grow three inches in the butt and nothing in the front almost over night.  When that happens, you have to just stop on them or you will hurt them because they are so unbalanced.

Two-year olds also get sick a lot.  They don't have the strong immune system the older horses have, so they get everything that goes around the barn/backstretch just the way human kids get every illness the first year they go to school.

Injuries are always a problem.  Unraced horses that have a bit of a lay off take longer to get back to the same fitness they were before they were stopped on than horses that have a few races into them.  Once they've had a race or two, they can hold that fitness better.

That said, it is looking like Lentenor will be getting close to a race since he has two or three 4f breezes.

A rough estimate is that a horse takes at least 6 breezes to get fit enough to race, more for a baby.

The races being written for 2-year olds now tend to favor the fast-maturing sprinter.  Many of the two-year olds doing really well at this time of the year will never be heard from again after the better horses come to hand and make it to the races in the fall.

Thanks for the update.  It is so exciting to get reports on both Lentenor and Nicanor.  Would it ever be possible to have pictures of those 2 brothers together?  I would love to see them side by side.

Go Lenny , like to see him run as a 2 year old and make me some dough.Nic stay with the local talent you'll always be a lock.

I can't wait to know the sex! I would love to see a filly but am happy as long as its healthy.

I wonder if Leny will start racing as a 2 yr old or a 3 yr old. I'd love to see him in the Derby and to do that, he's most likely have to start racing as a 2 yr old.

Any idea if the Jacksons have been thinking on a name for the new colt?

~Nicole

Has anyone noticed that if you look at some of the pics of Afleet Alex posed a certain way, he almost looks like Barbaro? It might just be me.

Also, does anyone think Nicky has a chance at getting into the Breeders Cup?

~Nicky

Great news on Lentenor, and what a thrill it is to see "up & coming turf specialist" in front of Nicanor's name. It would be awesome to see Nicanor make it to the Breeders Cup Turf. These two boys are doing their big brother proud. Hopefully Lentenor will continue to advance in his training and we will see him on the track soon.

The Breeders Cup website has all the rules and regulations on nominations. I think nominations to the Breeders Cup are made when the horse is a foal, but im not 100% about that. I reviewed a recent auction catalog and each yearling had listed what they were nominated for.  

I am excited that we will know the sex of LVR's new baby tomorrow. I hope its a filly, but im laying odds its another colt.

Lets go Pink, lets go!

OOOOOOOOh Lentenor did a nice easy breeze, that's awesome news. Seems like he's doing everything right so maybe an eary October debut is in the making. Sure hope so, a couple of races under his belt before next year would be lovely. I know, we have to be patient and let him mature on his own, but you can't blame a fan for hoping and  dreaming. Any word on how tall he is right now and/or how much does he weigh?

Saw the diva, Zenyatta saturday at Hollywood Park. She's amazing to see in person. My second time aroung and I was just as blown away as the first. I have filly on my mind and I will being chanting filly, filly filly, tomorrow.

Thanks for the heads up today, appreciate anything we can get on this blog.

Loving thoughts and well wishes for La Ville Rouge tomorrow.

Do we really call turf horses "turf specialists"??? Not to mention Nicanor ran some big figs on the dirt.

FYI,

   Last year at this exact time, Nicanor had four "Official" work outs, His fourth "Official" work coming on 6/28/08, A 3 Furlong work in :38.4, His 5th Work came on 7/11/08, A 4 Furlong work in :50 Seconds.  That was Nicanor's last Work before his growth spurt and when Mr. Matz took him off the trail for a few months.  Lentenor has had Three Official Works, So, Nicanor actually had one more work out then Lentenor at this same time last year.  It does seem like Lentenor is more mature when it comes to him knowing what he is supposed to do, More focused then Nicanor, But like JAJ said, Growth Spurts can happen overnight, Hence, Look at Big Brother Nicanor!  As far as Lentenor in the Breeder's Cup, I would bet everything I own that will not happen, Mr. Matz is known to be very patient with his Horses, I do think Lentenor will race once or twice before the end of the year(If he doesn't go through a growth spurt), But lesser races then the Breeder's Cup(IMO).  I do think Nicanor has a legit shot at the Breeder's Cup, But it alot depends on his showing in the Virginia Derby, If he does make that race ;)

Penny in TX.,

     Here is a picture of Lentenor(On left) and Nicanor(On right) at Fair Hill last month(Lentenor DOES seem taller):

www.flickr.com/.../3567104634

I hate to say but I think it will be another colt, seems that is what she is throwing.  Pink would be nice but will take anything she is willing to give us.  Lentanor seems to be doing well unless he has another growth spurt which may set him back some but hopefully he will be in a race a least by fall, and can't wait for Nic's next race whick will probably be at Colonial Downs.  I seems that Michael does not work his horses full out so all of their times are deceiving, just take a look at all of his other horses, not the fastest times but they all seem to run about the same, heck he knows what to do better than we do.  Great news on Lentanor though and yes he is maturing faster than Nic did but love them both equally.

Thank you so much for keeping us updated on the wonderful Barbaro siblings. I just love Nicanor, Lentenor and Babynor. I cannot wait until tomorrow to find out the sex of the new baby. I must say that I would prefer that Lentenor not race until next year at 3. I just believe that 2-year olds are still not fully devcloped and their frames are not as strong as at 3-years.

Nicole,

    So far, The Jackson's have named all of the Dynaformer/La Ville Rouge Colts from the Painting in their home, The “Duke of Westminster’s hunting dogs”. The painting has the dog names "Barbaro" in a separate portrait all the way to the right, It has a the same for "Calypso" all the way to the left, Then the center of the painting has the four foxhounds grouped together, From left to right(In order):

Marcano, Séréno, Lentenor, Nicanor

So, Ms. Jackson is on the record stating the new baby name starts with a "M", So it should be "Marcano"(Seems she skipped Sereno), Hope that helps...

Here is the link to the story, and Painting's:

www.barbaroandnicanor.blogspot.com

Here is a picture, Where it shows the names:

www.flickr.com/.../3672647681

Ron,

   I just wanted to say congratulations for you and the Bloodhorse Staff on getting Second Place in the Electronic Media/Equine-Related Website category from  American Horse Publications Annual Awards Program, Good Job !!!

WOW, Ron we will know the sex tomorrow of the one to come....bet its a boy but hoping for a g---.  

So happy Lenny is doing well and with a likely start soon... guess, it will be Delaware Park....that would be fitting ...Dang, those Brothers of Barbaro are really something special now, are they not......JAJ thanks for any and all horsey information to us non racing fans.....

I appreciate the update and will be checking BH website oh so often for the news on LVR...so excited I have tears and goose bumps!  What a great time this is for Barbaro's Family of Fans:) (BFFs)

Love the Fair Hill pictures. Those are nice stalls, let me say! I love doors that they can hang their heads out. The yoke in door certainly keeps them from nipping everyone or thing that walks by. It's hard to tell because of the foreshortening of the pictures, but Lentanor looks like he is about the same as Nicky.

In show jumpers, too, Michael was always known to be very conservative with his horses. He had the best run barn in the business in his manager, Karen Golding. Every horse was always perfectly turned out, braided except for the smallest show. He is the consumate horseman. I'm sure that they won't waste Lentenor's career on a short-lived two-year-old, flash-in-the-pan. It would be very cool if Nicky matured at the right rate to race at the Breeder's Cup. However, if it's the Turf Classic, I believe there are older horses, some of the best European horses, and it's 1 1/2 miles. I don't know what races would prep Nicky for that or whether you can condition for it.

I wish I could kiss that big pink spot on Nicky's nose!

Greg J.,

Nice to see the boys getting some green stuff to eat.  Is this grass cut on the property for them?  Do they have a special field or is there a hay field nearby where they get the grass?  I doubt its haylage but possible.

I'm not a fan of two year old racing, but, there is some evidence in studies that the horses need to stress the bones as they grow to make them stronger.  Done properly, it seems like you'd want them getting some miles at that age.  The key is "properly."  Horses in the wild are on the move all the time and they do not have soft pastures, either.  Most of the horses raised for other purposes will not get the kind of stress race horses will on those bones.

Getting the name for the baby could be a challenge if another horse already has it.  Seems some name duplication goes on but wonder what the rules are on that?  Number of years after the first horse with the same name, perhaps?  

Does anyone know the percentages of male to female off spring from Dynaformer?

Newsline,

     Dynaformer's progeny: He has had 1160 Foals, 827 have been sold at auction, 476 female progeny  sold at auction, 351 male progeny sold at auction, I can't figure out to exact percentage of male to female ratio, but this should give you a good idea.  Here are two links on Dynaformer's progeny:

www.equineline.com/.../tt_main.cfm

and

www.pedigreequery.com/.../dynaformer

Greg J

A couple of weeks ago you said,

Now Mark My Words, we will see Nicanor in the Virginia Derby.

Now its, if he does make that race.

Which one is it?

Nice job on the pictures, and films. Keep that up. No more predictions or handicapping.

Hoping for a Girl!!!

Always glad for an update on a Barbaro sibling. My one concern is that La Ville Rouge is bred EVERY year; wouldn't it be more humane to give her a break or two along the way? Might prolong her life and bring even more wonderful foals for us all to enjoy.

Thanks, Greg J for the pictures.  Lentenor does look taller than Nicanor. Beautiful stalls and it so good to see the brothers are next to each other.  Once again, thank you.

For the record "turf specialist" was coined because Nicanor does his best on turf vs dirt, thus, turf specialist.  O.k., school is now out of session. Barbaro had no distinct specialty, much like Secretariat which is why they were both noted to be talented very early in their lives.  I will be there to see Nicanor at Colonial Downs July 18th.  

Great workout Lentenor. From Greg J. picture, you look like you are about the same size at Nicanor. You must have done your growing down in Florida. A word of advice, don't dawdle and you won't have to wear the blinkers.

To Ol' Man Buck:

Winless on dirt; 2-for-2 on turf. I would call that a turf specialist.

Brandi,

    To answer your question, Mr. Matz is on record saying that if everything goes right, Nicanor is being pointed to the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs on July 18.  When he made that statement, Their was more then a month to the race, So, Alot can happen in a month, If Nicanor remains Healthy and trains well, Then that is his next race, As far as Predictions and Handicapping, I am very careful on predicting wins and losses, I always hope for a win, But I am not naive, The Virginia Derby is a huge step up for Nicanor and, Bottom line, I always hope for a safe race first and foremost, But I can always "Hope" for a win, That is not predicting a win, Big difference...

Ranch Hand 29 Jun 2009 10:53 PM wrote: "My one concern is that La Ville Rouge is bred EVERY year; wouldn't it be more humane to give her a break or two along the way?"

La Ville Rouge has not been bred every year.  Barbaro would be 5 this year, Nicanor is 3.  There is no foal in between them.  Also, Lentenor is 2 and the foal is newborn, so there again is another break.  As long as the mare stays healthy, there is no real reason to not breed her every year, but La Ville Rouge has not been overbred.  You may want to check into your facts before you make comments like that.

Greg J.,

I knew about the painting and I've seen pics of it before.

I thought it was Barbaro, Nicanor, Lentenor, Sereno, and then Marcano. Either way, thanks for the link.

~Nicky

Ranch Hand,

LVR hasn't been bred every year. She did not have a foal in 2008.

~Nicky

Ranch Hand, in case your new to this blog, La Ville Rouge had a year off between Lentenor and the foal she had this spring, so she is not bred every year. However, if she is healthy and carrying her foals to term, I dont see an issue. As much as we love these horses beause of their connection to Barbaro, we need to remember that breeding and racing these amazing animals is a business. The Jackons are some of the finest owners in the business and I doubt very much they would breed LVR if there was any risk to her life and well being.

While Nic has won twice on turf i would not be so quick to call mim a turf specialist. Is he winless on dirt yes, but two second place finishes don't scream that a horse hates dirt. MM even said he wasn't sure if the turf or blinkers did the trick. Also Nicanor has only won an allowence and a maiden. Yes they were convincing, but honestly he'd have to be winning over the top or consistantly in graded stakes for me to call him a specialist.

I agree with you LDP.  It is too early to label Nicanor a "turf specialist."  His two second places were very good against a lot tougher competition than were in his turf races.

Nicanor will get there ye of little faith. He's still proving himself and learning. Just keep plodding along with him.

Lentenor is coming along fine. Maybe we'll get to see a video of him training one of these days. Would be wonderful.