Hope everything is ok with him and it's nothing major. I will be at the races on Saturday and was looking forward to seeing Nicanor run. I wish him a speedy recovery.

And I was totally going to drive down to Colonial to see him run tomorrow!  Darn!

There's always another race and another challenge to show his talent.

Think what would have been worse than Nicanor having a poor showing (at best) or getting injured (at the most horrible).

Kudos to Michael Matz and The Jacksons for making the judgement call that is 100% in the best interest of Nicanor.  But would we have expected less?

Get well Nicanor -- we'll see you at the next turf race. Perhaps The Secretariat?  Whatever, just be well!!!  

As much as I thought Nicanor was in over his head in the VA Derby, I'm sorry he was injured and hope he recovers soon.

If it was to happen, it's better  that it was in training than in the lead or in the middle of a whole field of horses.

Always better safe than sorry with horses. Another stakes race will come along.

oh no!!!! get better soon!!!

Well Darn :(.  I was looking forward to seeing hime run.  Especially for my 15th birthday. :(

OH NO! IT IS SO SAD BECAUSE I FELT HE WAS GOING TO RUN WELL BUT THANK GOODNESS THEY FOUND IT BEFORE HE HIT THE TRACK!! DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW SERIOUS OF AN INJURY IT IS? I HOPE ALL HE NEEDS IS TIME TO HEAL AND HE'LL BE BACK ON TRACK REAL SOON. SENDING THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR A QUICK RECOVERY. TAKE CARE BIG BOY. THANKS MICHAEL FOR LOOKING OUT OUT FOR THE BIG GUY!!!

What a disappointment... La Ville Rouge needs to kiss it and make it well..  hope the brother is not out for long...get well Nicanor...

Aw.. I'm sorry to hear of the news. I was looking forward to seeing him!

I wish everyone the best. <3

    Just pray that he is OK, I am so glad they noticed it before his race tomorrow, Nicanor has the best looking after him, I just hope it is a minor injury...

I'm so glad it was noticed before the race. Thank the Lord for that! Like many of you said, there will be many more races to come!!

Couldn't believe the news alert that came in my email just now. Nicky get better fast. I really had confidence he was going to do good. What the heck is this with 2 brothers now getting back legs injured. I sure hope it doesn't keep up with all of them. Wondering just how severe this injury is as there is no statement to what exactly is wrong. I hope it's minor. Get better Nicky. Thoughts and prayers with you.

Yes, we all need to pray he's OK and has a great, fast recovery.  Thank you Nicanor connections for watching out for him!!!

I am grateful that horses are being pulled from races at any sign of injury or discomfort,way better,because the next best thing to a winning racehorse is a retired racehorse sent off to breed.

Awwww man I really wanted to see him cross the wire first I geuss it's all Battle of Hastings race:(

Give Nicanor a big hug and tell him to feel better soon.It's okay,his well being is most important and as a fan we have lots of patience,great things to look forward to.

It's fortunate that the injury was noticed and appropriate care started quickly. M. Matz will always do what is in the best interest of his horses. Did the connections release an actual diagnosis?

oh my goodnes, i felt my heart fall to my feet. with tears in my eyes, i know that the angels are watching you, darling nicky. sweetie you get better soon, you guys bring us so much awesome enjoyment. thank you michael and staff, ron for breaking the news to us. oh, and nicky, you can stay home with me tommorrow. love you big guy and tons of horsey hugs and mints, baby carrots.

Get well quickly, NJ.  You've got a lot of running left to do.   Be a good boy, little one.

The health of the horse is the main concern.  Thank god he's got the connections that put the horse's health and well being first.  Let's hope it's nothing serious and that he will one day make his big brother proud!

More Info on Nicanor:

    "He did something. He hurt himself behind," trainer Michael Matz said Friday. "We're not exactly sure what it is."

    He said the injury to the left hind leg apparently occurred during a gallop this week and became evident when the horse worked out Thursday in Maryland.

"I took him out last night and he wasn't 100 percent," Matz said.

Again, Hope it is minor, and a full recovery for Nicanor...

Well this certainly ruined my day. I was bubling with excitment for tomorrow and this would have been the first race I could have watched live on TV. On a positive note I'm glad they noticed it now and not later or even worse, during the race. I know you could have given them a good challenge so just sit tight, heal up, and come back in August and beat them up in the Secretariat.

Pray that everything will be fine for Nicanor.  

So sorry for those who planned to see him tomorrow, and especially sorry for 'Barbaro4ever' to whom we all wish a very happy 15th birthday in spite of the disappointment of not celebrating with Nicanor.  

My thoughts and prayers are with all his good folks.

More info:

    "We took him out of his stall to walk him and graze him, and he was very stiff in behind," trainer Michael Matz said from his Fair Hill training center headquarters. "I don't know if it's anything serious or long-term. Nothing turned up on X-rays, so we sent him to New Bolton to have a nuclear scintigraphy done on him to see if something can be found."

Aw, I am so sorry to hear that he has been injured, but like most of you, I'm glad that is showed up in training and not in the middle of a race in which it could become much more serious.  Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery from what I sincerely hope is something minor.  Thank you Bloodhorse for giving us the information quickly!

Of course, my gratitude goes also to Mr. Matz and all Nicanor's care-takers and connections for taking such good care of him.

I'm so disappointed to hear Nicanor got scratched but at the sametime, I am grateful that this injury was caught before he even stepped foot on the track. Thank you, Michael and the Jacksons for taking care of this big, beautiful boy. I hope he heals quickly and gets better to run again. Nicky was going to be one of my top picks for the VA Derby, but Nicanor you will be in all our thoughts on this blog.

Sorry, I forgot this:

    "It's disappointing because we were all very much looking forward to going down there to watch him," Matz said. "But we certainly wouldn't take any chances, so we'll just have to get him right and look forward to something else down the line."

Oh Please!!! Please do us a favor and leave your nasty comments to yourself. What's that saying? Oh yeah if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. Your posting is a waste of time on this blog. So please oh please just stay far away.

Just saw this on DRF- Michael Matz's comments on Nicanor:

"We took him out of his stall to walk him and graze him, and he was very stiff in behind," trainer Michael Matz said from his Fair Hill training center headquarters. "I don't know if it's anything serious or long-term. Nothing turned up on X-rays, so we sent him to New Bolton to have a nuclear scintigraphy done on him to see if something can be found."

"It's disappointing because we were all very much looking forward to going down there to watch him," Matz said. "But we certainly wouldn't take any chances, so we'll just have to get him right and look forward to something else down the line."

www.drf.com/.../105583.html

I hope it's nothing major, and pray the racing gods are with Nicanor.

Greg J.  

Nicanor is at New Bolton?  Boy does that ring up some memories.  I am so glad that he has Matz and the Jacksons.  This is a surprise but at least he will be very well taken care of.  The hell with the race.  We love Nicanor and want him sound and healthy! ♥

Get better Nicky.  We love you lots and lots and are thinking about you.  Big brother is with you too to help you.  

Ragsy....  Yeah I agree. LVR get over there and give your son a kiss K?  :)

Dave...

You are on the wrong blog.  :)

Thank God it showed up before tomorrow.  I have no doubt that MM will do the right thing.  Let's just pray it's not too bad.  There's always another race for another day and we would rather see him healthy and safe.  God speed Nicanor, heal quickly.  I look forward to many more races from you.

I woke up this morning thinking I would place a sentimental win bet on Nicanor but do my other bets with him to show, which I thought was a decent gamble in a race with other speed. We're expecting some heavy rain storms tonight so the turf might have been a bit soft tomorrow.  I'm happy this was caught in time to keep him from racing hurt and I'm glad he's at New Bolton.  This was my best chance to see him so I'm disappointed and wishing him well.  

God has the reigns on Nicanor.  I trust that he will take very good care of our beautiful colt.  :)

hey, stardust and ragsy,greg, sounds like he is over at new bolton with dean. nicky, sweetie, get better so we can see you and little bro again. much love!

Get well wishes to Nicanor and a full and complete recovery. My prayers are for him and his connections.

Oh dear, what terrible news, just when he looked ready to show the world his dust. Hopefully, this is minor but I for one am very worried. Thankfully, he is in the best hands and they will make sure he is tip top before any more training, of course that will put him behind schedule. Better safe than sorry and his connections know that very well.

Carrots and peppermints to you, Nicky. Get well soon. Love you.

Posted by Dee @ 12:04 pm 17 Jul 2009

Just saw this on DRF- Michael Matz's comments on Nicanor:

"We took him out of his stall to walk him and graze him, and he was very stiff in behind," trainer Michael Matz said from his Fair Hill training center headquarters. "I don't know if it's anything serious or long-term. Nothing turned up on X-rays, so we sent him to New Bolton to have a nuclear scintigraphy done on him to see if something can be found."

"It's disappointing because we were all very much looking forward to going down there to watch him," Matz said. "But we certainly wouldn't take any chances, so we'll just have to get him right and look forward to something else down the line."

www.drf.com/.../105583.html

//end//

Dee,

Thank you for including the link to link to the DRF article that included quotes from Michael Matz.

Beside the fact that it's good manners to credit sources, I believe it may be a violation of copyright laws to post copyrighted material (such as something published by DRF) without proper attribution.

Maybe our host, Mr. Mitchell, can provide some clarification on that. I could be wrong, but I'm sure none of us would want to see Bloodhorse get in trouble.  

Hopefully Nicanor will recover quickly. Sorry to all the faithful Nicanor/Barbaro fans who were looking forward to Nicanor's stakes debut and are disappointed.

Thank goodness, they caught this injury in time. Not just because he's "Barbaro's brother" but another horse that can be saved from a horrible demise!

We'll be able to see Nicanor run again and that's all good. ;-)

Hopefully it is nothing serious, he's at the best place possible to help him. Get well soon Nic!

Stardust... yes... it does bring back so many memories,some not so great either....I just pray this is nothing serious.......

Please keep us posted.  I am so glad this was found before the race tomorrow.

Thanks GinnieJ.  Let's all just hope this isn't serious, but if Nicky is as strong as Barbaro was, he should pull through.

Thats terrible!!! Hope its nothing seroius and you'll be back racing within a fews weeks or months. He couldn't be in better care.

If nothing turned up in the x-rays, maybe he's just a little sore?  Lets hope that's all it is.

Get well Nicky!

My heart sunk when I saw the headlines...

I'm lighting a gratefulness candle praying that Nicky makes a full recovery. Bless his heart.

Barbaro is sending get well wishes from Heaven for his little bother. XoXo

Thank God he has such caring people looking out for him.  He'll run another day.  But I do have to admit to being really disappointed not to see him run tomorrow, I was so excited to see him in my first VA Derby.  Take care, Nicanor.

after this scan Nicanor will be in the hospital for 24 hours for observation and physical exam....

This sure took the wind out of my sails!!! The most important thing is that M.M. caught it before he was put on the van to go to the track. Whatever is wrong, you can bet with certainty that the folks at New Bolton will find it. Let's all pray it is not serious, but something rest can take care of. To paraphrase the immortal Charlie Whittingham, 'Racehorses are like strawberries, they can spoil overnight!' Get well Nic!!!Your public is praying for you.

forgot to add... that I went to New Bolton Widner site and looked up the Nuclear Scintigraphy Scan and it was stated 24 hour requirement to stay hospitalized after scan completed.....

So sorry to hear about our Nicky but he is in good hands at New Bolton and hopefully it is nothing that will not heal quicky.  If not racing at the Downs hopefully Michael will take him to Saratoga with the rest of his string in another couple of weeks and that Nick will be able to race in a turfer up there if all goes well.  Carrots and Peppermints for our boy even though I know he does not get the peppermints.

The most disapointing part of this is that he was training so well up to this race and MM was very confident in his chances.  IF NICANOR WAS HEALTHY HE WOULD HAVE WON!!! MM doesn't ship his horses out unless he's confident they will be in the money.  I feel for Nics connections and all of his fans.  I don't frequent this blog yet I was so sad when I heard the news and I felt like I had to post.   Let's not l get too down about this one. Of course we all hope he's ok.  Barring anything too serious, his racing career will continue beyond this year, and he should continue to get better with age. Dynaformers generally don't fully mature untill the're 4 or 5 years old, so Nic still has more improvement in him.  He will be a better racehorse next year, in my mind a Grade 1 caliber turf horse.  I just hope these hind leg proems aren't a recurring issue with the Dynaformer-LVR cross.. We'll have to wait and see on that one.  Once again my heart goes out to all the connections and wishing for a speedy recovery so we can watch this amazing horse run again soon!!!

By the way to everybody who comments on this blog I can see how much you all love this horse and the special bond between him and his fans.  My heart goes out to all of you as well. It must be hard, especially after Barbaro. Let's all pray for the best.

One more thing.. I think that Lentenor resembles Barbaro exremely so.  He will make the races as a two year old, and win at 2.  MM knows what kind of horse he is and that he's running extremely fast for a two year old, which is why he's slowed down on him. I believe Lentenor will have a legit chance at the Triple Crown if he can handle the dirt, which I suspect he will.

A speedy recovery to our Nicky.  I'm glad that this got caught before the race tomorrow.  Kudos to Mr. Matz for putting Nicky's well being first.  I called New Bolton and they said that they are not allowed to disclose any info about their patients.  

I'm praying for a speedy  recovery.

Just like that...they rip your heart out.  Heal, Nicanor, heal!

Sounds minor. Most connections probably wouldn't do a nuclear scan but I understand why they are.

Well!  This wasn't Nicanor's time,but you can bet it will come.  When something doesn't happen like you hoped it would its usually for the best.  Take care Nicanor  may your injury not be too bad.  Rest easy and get well soon.

:( I hope he recovers soon i was looking forward to seeing him run! Hopefully just a small injury.

Barbaro4ever- its nice to see another young fan like me! haha!

well, this sure brings back memories of the daily New Bolton updates, doesn't it? Keeping my fingers crossed this is something minor and Nic will back to himself in no time at all.

Oh, Nicky! Poor fellow...

I hope it is not too serious and you get well very soon.

Rest well, Nicanor. There will be oither stakes races.

The 24 hour stay is required after the nuclear scan in order for the radioactivity levels (of the isotope used) to subside.

Better to be safe than sorry!  Hope it heals fast.  We don't want to see you in pain.  Love ya, big guy!

sandieh..

Yeah nothing but the best for Nicanor and the family.  They are very lucky horses. :)

Stiff behind could indicate a lot of things-first things that came to my mind were a slight stifle problem, beginning of a kidney infection, or even bruised testicles. All 3 of those are only minor interruptions. Let's hope it's something minor and all is well very soon.

Maybe he just needed a spa day,my dog has been known for thay every once in awhile,may be his way of saying I am not ready quite yet.

OH NO!!  Poor Nicanor, speedy recovery.  You are in the best of hands. Get well soon.

The ups and downs of racing....very disappointing.

Again, let's not put the Jacksons or Matz on a pedestal just because they scratched a horse that was hurt.  That's what owners and trainers do when they have an injured horse.  If the soreness/injury gets past the trainer, the commission vet is there to do a thorough soundness exam before the race.

OMG! I hope nothing serious.  Get well soon Nicanor.

Aww. I hope he`s ok, and that it`s only miner, it doesn`t sound too bad...but you never can tell.

All the best on your recovery Big NIC get well soon....Go Safety Valve Go...YOU NEVER KNOW

Poor Nicky!Get well soon!!! Better that they found it out before the race...He's a strong Boy, I'm sure he will come back!

Hope Nicky will be alright, nothing serious. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and to all his connections good thoughts and prays with you.

We would certainly appreciate receiving any additional info when you have it.

I am thankful they found something now vs. something happening during a race.

" JAJ 17 Jul 2009 4:49 PM "

Once again, a logical post by JAJ. Most owners/trainers do the right thing. It is what we expect of them. "Gold Stars" are not necessary for this routine action.

What is with the OMG in the headline? Yikes.  

Get well Nicanor...nothing to fret over, horses get minor injuries every day and they don't get a blog entry I imagine.  

Hind leg injuries are very rare, I find this a little worrisome. Both Barbaro and Nicanor suffering rear leg injuries. The sire line is relatively sound, for this day and age, but it makes you wonder if this is a dam side issue. Historically, that Mr P line is not reknowned for sound, sturdy horses, and she's had other progeny who never raced, or did not run well.

Makes you wonder. And I have to admit being more than a little troubled that this breeding is being repeated over and over. JMO, but I would stop this match up. Two time's a charm, in this case, and there's at least two more to follow. Again, just my personal opinion.

Also wanted to point out the  excellent post by JAJ. The Jacksons and Matz did not invent doing right by their horses and are far from the only connections out there who do so. It's a disservice to not note that many, many others do the same,

Hopefully this is an umcomplicated soft tissue injury that will heal quickly. Im sure the trip to New Bolton is a precautionary measure just to make sure there is nothing going on that could present itself down the line. God knows he's in the best hands. Dr Richardson fought as hard for Barbaro's life as he himself did.

Hopefully this is not career ending, or even threatening because we all know Nicanor has a bright future. Ill wait to hear the official results of the Nuke scan. Im betting Nicanor is back in his stall at Fair Hill in a day or two.

I bet the crew at New Bolton is loving a visit from Barbaro's little brother, just dont stay to long Nicanor. I wonder if there are flowers and carrots by the fence yet?

I had to cancel my plans to go to Colonial.  I am so glad that The Jacksons and Michael are keeping a good watch on our boy. I truly hope that Nicanor gets well quickly. There will be another stakes race.  For all those nay sayers, Nicanor has a pretty darn good record in my eyes.  He has on the board on ALL but one race. Not too bad.

Some of you aren't the only young fans. Barbaro was born 10 years and 5 days after me. I have the barbaro breyer model after searching for months. I got it sometime late last year.

Oh No! I hope he's not in pain or anything. I also worry about the hind leg injury. Didn't he injure a hind leg in his first race? I'm glad it was caught before the race too. If it's something chronic, I hope it's discovered so he can be retired safe and sound. I'd rather not see him race again than take a change on injury or worse. Love you sweet beautiful boy. Get well soon.

Let's hope Nicanor's injury is nothing serious and that we find out in a timely manner what the problem turned out to be. I know we will all be anxious to hear something soon. In the meantime, our prayers are with Nicanor , The Jacksons and M Matz. And our thanks for putting Nicanor first.

Emily W, yay us!!  The first race I saw (on TV) was the KY Derby that Barbaro won (2006).  Got me hooked on the sport...

It's comforting to see that so many commenters here have the right attitude - the heck with the race, let's get our boy better. New Bolton will count every pore.

Say a prayer.

JaspersStar, I agree with you; the Mr. P line is not sound.  I have talked about this before.  Some agreed; others jumped all over me. Nicanor's pedigree is not all that good, but he has a great trainer, owner, etc.  Nicanor has the pedigree for speed, but soundness is the issue.  I could go on and on, but I will stop here.        

Get well Nicanor.

Things like this can be tough to diagnose.  Is it soft tissue, tendon, bone?  Did he slip a bit and put a crink in his back?  I hope they have chiro for him, too.  Maybe ultrasound would show something if it's not bone related?

As for the breeding, I'm no fan of Mr.P, but he's three generations back and one of the reasons they breed to Dynaformer is to get more stoutness.  Better the Dynaformer cross than another Raise A Native decendent or lots of Northern Dancer.  

Thought this inspiring story aired on the Today show this am will cheer us up a little:

Smokey, a Chihuahua puppy living somewhere in Kentucky, suffered a terrible accident recently. A large BBQ fork somehow got flipped off the grill and lodged in Smokey's brain. He ran into the woods, the owners could not find him, and assumed he had died.

Two days later Smokey came home, with the fork still stuck in his head. He was taken to a vet, who initially thought that Smokey would have to be euthanized. But the vet took an X-ray and decided to operate to remove the fork.

Though still not completely out of the woods, Smokey survived the surgery and appeared on the program this am with his owner and vet. He slept through the feature, like a little angel.  

Get well soon nicky!!!

Blood-Horse:  Thank you!  The "OMG" in your 'headline' reminds me why I recently cancelled my subscription.  

Aside from the fact the issues have downsized to next to nothing and are no longer worth the asking price, it's hard to take a professional publication seriously when what's left of it's so-called journalists use ridiculous internet slang, even if only on the website.  Unfortunately it seems the more talented professionals have left the building and this is what we're left with.  

Very disappointing to see how far it's sunk from the highly ranked, respected, and worthwhile publication I started reading many years ago, but 'OMG' I'm reminded again why I have no regrets over my recent cancellation.

Just heard of you guys knomn asFOB,We would like to become members of this group. We live in fluvanna Va on a small horse farm,how we missed the FOB club is beyond me. We have every news clip on Barbaros condition to the end. so if its not to much trouble someone will e-mail us on how to join the FOB club. Take care.

I do not see that the two injury's of Nicanor and Barbaro are necessarily genetic, although similar that they are both in the hind leg. I remember seeing overhead footage of the Preakness in slow motion where they were looking at the moment the misstep occurred and the possible cause for it. Barbaro took a misstep because Brother Derek broke a step ahead and came in front of him, not because his legs were genetically prone to it. It's all just an agonizingly long waiting game to see what is going on with Nicanor, and then hopefully we will know more as to how.

I also feel that Mr Matz and the Jackson's are caring people, yes, and put their horse's well being first.  That might be expected, but unfortunately it is not always the case. Recent speculation into the injury of I Want Revenge and the possible handling and training of the horse while he was being treated for the injury that was discovered Derby Day. A lot of money will make people do crazy things. Unfortunately I don't think you'd have to look very hard to find someone not making the simple, logical decisions like the one Michael Matz did. Some of the greatest horses were sent to terrible deaths for money. Alydar... Ferdinand. So I am certainly very thankful for the good people surrounding the horses we love so much. We can rest easier knowing they will only do what is best.

Thank God for the observant training team. Nic is in professional hands and we just need to chill a bit and wait for his next race. Get well soon precious boy.

it's a bone bruise and Nicanor is back at Fair Hill.  He will need a little time to recover while they continue to assess etc.  

forums.delphiforums.com/.../messages

MikeM..

Right On.  Most connections would not do this so that right there is what seperates MM and the Jackson's from the rest and that is why these beautiful horses have their own blog on Bloodhorse.  :)

Maybe it just wasn't his day to run. He'll get better and come running back across the finish line in first soon.

I just read on ABR that Nicanor had a bone bruise and just needs some time off to recover.  What exactly is a bone bruise and how does it happen?

hope it's nothing serious! good thing they caught it b4 the race!

make a smashing recovery, Nicky!

good luck and good health 2 u!

A.B. spoke to mrs Jackson. Nicanor

is back at Fairhill,he has a bone

bruise,nothing serious.Just needs

some time off. Peter Brette confirmed.

jaspersstar, horses hurt themselves all the time... just because he has a "hind leg injury" doesn't mean it's a genetic thing. Barbaro, sadly, just took a wrong step. So probably did Nicanor; or as someone else pointed out it could be a stifle, a slight kidney infection or a bruised testicle; or it could be a small muscle pull. They'll figure it out and take the appropriate measures and TIME to heal it up.

Horses are horses. They can be real klutzes sometimes, no matter how graceful they are most of the time. They are at the same time the most wonderful and most frustrating of animals. Just enjoy them for what they are and don't fret over a small misstep or bug.

There'll be another race when the time is right, and he will fly or not... he's just a horse, after all, a handsome and likely talented one at that. His niche has been found, and his test will come...  

Let Nicanor know I just watched the reply of his race,the announcer would have used the words "it is all Nicanor" and it wouldn't have been a photo finish.You would have had the field covered big boy,take care and feel better soon!

Thanks very much to this site and all the bloggers for the information and updates. Like many who have posted on this site, I totally, totally love this family of horses! I am very thankful that he has such loving and observant caretakers. Here's hoping and praying that this is a minor issue that can be quickly resolved. And I agree with the earlier comments about Lentenor's promise.

Hey all... Nicanor is fine and is back home in his stall at Fair Hill.  It was confirmed that the injury was only some sort of bruise.

Delighted to read that so many of you are praying for darling Nicanor's recovery.  Prayer changes things!  

Also that the majority of the posts reflect a great deal of concern for him and good will towards his lovely connections.  Do agree though that they are not the only ones who love their horses.  Can think of many, many others who care just as much!

To digress a bit.  Jesus and God love animals.  They created them after all!  Jesus probably put up the greatest piece of horsemanship ever - even if it was on the humble donkey! To ride an unbroken donkey colt through crowds of cheering, palm waving throngs of people was quite some feat!  Donkeys can be very stubborn as you know!

Yes that was a big digression.  I like digressions!  So this is another one! Seattle Slew had two sons caled Digression one with at least with a USA suffix.  Guy Harwood trained the one who raced in the UK.

Well you did not think I was not going to mention Seattle Slew did you?  Actually he overcame several life threatening illnesses and injuries. So that should encourage you all!

I do not know how bad Nicanor's injury is but join you all in praying for him and wishing him a speedy and total recovery!

God bless all who truly love horses and all the good people in our wonderful sport!

Have an ABBA video on quietly as I write this!  ABBA can't half sing etc.!!!!!!!  Oops I have digressed again!

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

Get well NIC!!!  Brings back memories of your big brother!  I probably won't get a good nights sleep until I know this is something

minor.  God Speed ---- your extended family is praying for you!!  Love &

peppermint kisses too.............

I believe that bone bruises were the reason that Smarty Jones retired from racing after the Belmont Stakes. He had more than one bruise, so I am not suggesting that Nicanor may be in danger of retirement.

With time off, Smarty could have eventually returned to racing, but that time factor favored an early retirement.

Dr. Larry Bramlage wrote a wonderful letter to The Blood-Horse defending Mr. and Mrs. Chapman's decision to retire Smarty after the bruises were discovered.

MistyFilly:

Wish you'd reconsider about your subscription to The Blood-Horse. We should support this publication, especially in strained economic times like now. I hope the reduced size of the publication is a temporary adjustment, but even if it is not there's not much else out there. The Blood-Horse changed me from a casual Triple Crown fan to a devoted follower of all aspects of racing. I had never even heard of the Breeders' Cup until I began subscribing to the The Blood-Horse in 2002.

Hunk,

Look at the post from Alex at 11:58 am (4 posts down from yours).  The link will take you to a website where you will find the FOB's.  

Hi Nicanor,

I wanted to make pretty sure what the problem was before I sent a get well note. I don't know much about about why a horse gets a bone bruise, but if a bone bruise is what you have and from what people say, I am sure you will be back on the track in no time.

Take it easy Nicanor, get better and be safe. As I've said before, you will come into your own when you are 4.

MistyFilly---I, too, cancelled my subscription to BloodHorse magazine, but I did so because the news is posted so quickly on the BH website that much of it is a duplication by the time the magazine reaches its destination.

Ron Mitchell, the moderator of this blog, is the online managing editor for bloodhorse.com. As the ONLINE editor, he might be allowed to use a little bit of "internet slang", I would think. He apparently had an interest in Barbaro's family from the beginning, and became moderator for that reason.

As for "the more talented professionals have left the building" remark; have you read anything by Steve Haskin lately?

Let me see....It starts with an inflammatory headline, followed by a group of postings from people practically hyperventilating about the future of this colt. In the meantime, the Jacksons and Matz are doing what almost any owners/trainer would do. Then, when it's discovered it's only a bruise, I don't read in the headlines that Nicanor is fine, but in the postings on this blog.

I think a lot of people just need to take a deep breath and relax.

Alex.. Thank You. :)

Huck.. You only need to meet one critera to be an FOB.  That is to love Barbaro and his brothers and family.  A true Fan of Barbaro is a person that cares more about these horses than one cares about winning.  If you have that, then you already are an FOB.  :)

Abbie Knowles.. Yeah God and Jesus really do love these creatures.  So right about Slew.  Love that horse.  AND all of his sons and daughtes.  :)

Look, just because a couple of issues come up with a couple of high profile trainers/owners, like the legal hassles about I Want Revenge, does NOT mean that "most connections would not do this..." (Give the horse time off and care for the problem)

Get over the fact that bad news makes the news and the many, many good trainers out there don't get the press for being good.  If you look back over the year so far,  horses have been pulled so they could heal.  Quality Road was not patched up so he could do the Derby, they took him out, gave him time off, and are just now bringing him back.

Barbaro did not break down because he was frail- he broke down from a miss-step.  Unfortunate, but it happens.  The fact that Nicanor had an injury in the hind leg means NOTHING. And I say that as no fan of MR. P lines but as I expressed in another thread, there is only one cross here and it's three generations back plus the cross to Dynaformer should increase stoutness.

Horses are fine and wonderful creatures but if you've been around them most of your life, you will come to at least one conclusion: they will confound you in the ways they manage to hurt themselves, even out in a perfectly flat pasture.  Just playing they can pull something, ding something, and heavens forbid, sometimes break something.

It's over the top to get the "vapors" and proclaim the Jacksons the only owners who would care for their horses like they do.  

For those of us who have been around horses for years, we love them greatly but it does them nor us any good to fall to pieces every time they so much as sneeze.  

Stuff happens- the fact that this is Barbaro's family does not make it any more important, unusual, or traumatic than any other horses or family of horses.

I would like to know where the bone bruise is.  Could be from the hoof on up.

Huck..I don't think there is anything you have to do to become a member of "Barbaro's Band of Brothers". Just join us on the web sites that say "Barbaro's Brothers" from Bloodhorse.com. & other sites that write about the brothers.  Anyone who loves the brothers and even some that don't are welcome to our blog. You may think some of us are crazy because you'd think Nicanor, Lentenor, Babynor and Fillynor can read our comments and know just how much we care & love them. But you're welcome to this site anytime to express your feelings and any information you may have regarding our brothers/filly. Most of us have been here ever since Barbaro had his accident and then months later lost his life. I think that's how all this got started. Just a little history for you.

We also donate to the Barbaro Memorial Fund to help on the research of lamimites, which is what eventually cost Barbaro his life. We also support organizations that want to do away with horse slaughter and finding retired race horses good homes. This is not mandatory but something our fans do for the sake of all the horses we love.

We're hoping one of the Brother's/filly will carry on Barbaro's memory on the race track. Have you seen the Barbaro Memorial at Church Hill Downs? I posted some pictures of it and Church Hill Downs race tract if you'd like to look at them....www.flickr.com/.../40434793@N08  His ashes are buried under the statue. Welcome to our group. There may be a group of FOB's in your state that you could join but everyone on this site is from all over the world.

I was glad to hear that Nicanor had a bone bruise, and nothing more serious. I felt that the leap from a 39,000 race to a 750,000 race would have been difficult, unless Matz felt he could do it. In any case, Nicanor is safe, and can be rested for a different race.

Anyone who remembers Hoist The Flag in 1971, knows he had a catastrophic injury and was saved. He never raced again, but became a great sire. I have full confidence that Nicanor will come back nicely. I do wish people would stop wishing Nicanor to be like Barbaro. I don't think he took a bad step, but rather was injured either in the starting gate (why he broke through the gate early) or before. I think comparisons are silly and diminish the value of both horses, one of whom broke down.

Let Nicanor be his own horse. We have an assembly line of his brothers and sisters for a years yet-ie. Lentenor, the new filly, etc. That gives us all hope. I imagine at least one will make it to the Derby.

Meanwhile, as I wait for Nicanor to recover, Rachel Alexandra should beat the boys in the Haskell. That's a great hope.

Delighted to hear Nicanor only has some sort of a bruise!  Looking forward to your next race Nicanor!  Show em boy!!!!!!!!

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

Unless I have overlooked something, I don't see any news about Nicanor's diagnosis from New Bolton Center on the B-H website. Why the delay?

The fuss about the "OMG" in the headline here is silly. This is a blog, not the homepage of the website where news headlineds appear.

Maybe he bruised himself "horsing around" as they will do he is still young.I just hope he heals well,just love the guy,ya know.

Thanks for the "horse sense" horse first!  All horses are wonderful and they all matter!  I love ALL horses and All animals but have my special favourites like you know who!!!!!!

I try to love all people but it is much harder to love some of them than it is to love all animals!!!!!

Especially those that start wars, drop bombs, kill and deliberately hurt animals, children or adults etc etc etc!

God bless

Best wishes

Abbie

I`m glad it was only a bone bruise, probably kicked himself or hit his leg against something...horses are masterminds at hurting themselves, you could put one in a empty padded room and it`d still be able to hurt itselfe.

Smarty Jones was retires because of bone bruises after the Belmont. Afleet Alex was retired becouse of a bone bruise sometime after the Belmont, probably caused in the Preakness when Scrappy T bumped him and he stumbled. I doubt they`ll retire Nicanor yet though.

Abbie Knowles:  I can't get Dancin' Queen outta my head now!  LOL

Nicanor -- you would have romped... next time Buddy.

Went to Colonial Downs yesterday.  Michael Matz had a filly in the Oaks, Katana, from a very similar background to Nicanor.  I looked long and hard at her and finally decided that he would not have brought her, especially considering the fact that that he had scratched Nicanor.  She ran a pretty strong third to a couple of nice fillies.  That said, I feel that Nicanor could well have finished on the board if he was at his best.  As it is, I am glad that he was vetted to determine what is going on.  Not at his best would have been a disaster.

Too bad he couldn't try and step it up a bit in this race. Can't always run in allowance races forever. But I hope he will recover well and can prove himself.

Everyone:  here is an article that I found on thehorse.com relating to Bone Bruise...rather interesting...

( Bone Bruise Takes Musket Man Out Of Race Season )

http://www.thehorse.com/view article,aspx?ID=14475

Bone bruises are funny things - they can be slight and transient or deep and slow-healing.  They can take weeks or even months to heal. They happen in people too, see this image, for example:

www.nlm.nih.gov/.../19649.htm

The bone has to heal itself, and that takes time.  But Nicanor is young and strong and in good hands!

Smarty Jones had bruises on all 4 cannon bones which is pretty odd.

WHy do people come to the "Tracking Barbaro's Brothers" blog when they don't even like the horses?  I don't get that.  

Lots of good thoughts and dialogue here, but we should all try to be objective.  True, some families seem to have tendencies towards unsoundness, but those families are also usually highly popular, so there's a much higher number of those colts on the track, resulting in a higher public exposure.  Additionally, the statement about rear-end injuries being "quite rare" is quite wrong.  Thoroughbreds (like any other breed) do carry more weight in the front end, but they are also propelling themselves with the hind end.  Hind suspensory and stifle injuries are more common than you think.

And these darned horses do seem to find ways to get hurt, and it's easy to get all worked up.  When my QH was diagnosed with navicular this spring I let myself get all down in the dumps and was convinced she was ruined.  A little time off, some vet work and a shoeing change and she's doing great now.  Where Nicanor is concerned, this, too, shall pass.

Alex, thanks for telling us!

I'm glad Nicky's injury sounds minor, and I hope he has a speedy recovery.

I'm relieved someone updated us...

Oh, Thank God it's only a "bone bruise"!

knock their socks off in your next race, Nicky! blow 'em away!

I got lightheaded when I saw the headline about Nicanor being injured and out of the VA Derby. I've been nervous all along since I heard he was in this race thinking it might be too much for him and then he's injured. Panic time. But I understand that I'm very sensitive about this particular horse family because of Barbaro. I'm so happy this bone bruise was caught before the race. I'm sure Nicanor's connections understand that there are a great number of people who have a special interest in the health and welfare of this particular racing family. I'm sure he has the best care possible.

I was so looking forward to seeing Nicanor, but was glad that they caught the injury before he ran.

It was a great race and Battle of Hastings just got there by a head.

Colonial Downs is a really nice track.

Good Grief. If anyone doesn't like the fact that the Blog is full of Barbaro Lovers they should not come here.

Still a Concerned Fan, but new nick! I still love Barbaro and am excited about Nicanor, but Smarty Babies like Backtalk and I'll Show Them leave me breathless! This weekend, it was The Smart Look over Miss Afleet Alex! I hope Lentenor starts soon, I would love to see how he stacks up to Backtalk! :)

Prayers are with you Nicanor for a full recovery from your injury.  After you are well and entered in another stakes race, GO GET EM NICANOR!  We all know you can do it!

I know a while back a few people were interesting in seeing that HBO Barbaro special.  Well good news!  It's on HBO ON DEMAND until 8/24 so if you want to watch it and record it please check it out!  I tried to buy this CD but it's not available on the HBO website.  In fact it's not even listed as one of their documentaries  -- so please watch HBO On Demand to catch Barbaro!!!

I hope he'll be alright. I haven't heard anything since Saturday, which could be good or bad. My prayers are with him and the whole "team".

Glad he will be back ,would like to see him stay with the local talent at Delaware until he really gets a lot of experience and of course make me easy money.

Now I understand why my parents you to say to us "quit horsing around before someone gets hurt" it happens.Thank goodness Nicanor is young,very handsome,with a good dispostion to match.Here's to you Nicanor,keep enjoying your life I know you will be with us for a long time!

Linda / Maryland....

They come here to start trouble.  It is summer time and the kids are out of school.  You are right though.  If people don't love these horses, I don't understand why in the world they would spend one second on this blog.  :)

Soldier Course...

WoW now you are insulting Ron?  Wow.  I don't get that at all.  Come on. He is doing this for us and he doesn't have to.  Yeah OMG is right when it comes to a brother of Barbaro.  All of us FOB's know that.  :)

S.Lee thanks for that information dang, I never thought to look that up in a medical dictionary..for humans figured it was different for horses...again thank you....

what a horrible weekend with trying to find out equine bone bruise....

these folks that like to rub/slander Nicanor and the family needs to breeze right on out the back door....and not let that door hit them on the way out....

CALLING JAJ, WHERE ARE YOU JAJ!!!

Where is JAJ when we need him???? he would be great with this Explaination....

Stardust where are you and please come back...The Phantom the same could be said for you.....

Hello.. Ida Lee its really nice to read your comments....

I have read somewhere the Jacksons do not want to give any additional information of their horses or themselves due to the overexposure of Nicanor....to the public...that makes me sad....

HorseFirst..you have horse knowledge..if Nicanor has a fetlock bone bruise... how serious is it....if you can help...Thank You....I dont have horse knowledge just love of the horse...

Ragsy..  I am here.  Was in LA for awhile but have been home for a few days.  How's Rags doing?  Are you keeping her cool in this weather?  Since Nicky is injured, I am on Wait A While and she is just so fun to ride.  She is smaller than Nicky and she is just so sweet.  Very patient mare.  :)  

Love you Family and Nicky get well soon.  ♥

StardustyRose:

Whatever do you mean by saying that I was insulting Ron, who manages this blog? If anything, I was taking up for him by saying that the recent flap over his use of "OMG" in the headline was silly.

My other comment about the lack of news about Nicanor over this past weekend was about the main B-H website homepage, not about this particular blog.  

Ragsy:

The Jacksons have been sending a message for over a year now that they want the fans to "move on" from the Barbaro tragedy. Bound up in this message is probably their desire that we throttle back on our interest in Barbaro's full siblings. They must be tired of all the publicity. Still, their tone leaves something to be desired.    

Roy and Gretchen Jackson,

Here are my thoughts on Barbaro and his brothers.

Barbaro:

In early January 2007, I knew Barbaro was fighting a losing battle and I wasn't particularly surprised when he was euthanized on January 29th. I have moved on.

Nicanor:

I have this feeling that even before this blog, before the FOBs and before Barbaro died that Nicanor was probably the local celebrity at Mill Ridge Farm. And after Barbaro died, partly due to the grief at Mill Ridge and partly due to Nicanor's personality, Nicanor was spoiled a bit. And now every time Nicanor see a person, he's everyone's pal.

Lentenor:

Didn't get the exposure like Nicanor, but I have this sneaking suspicion that one of your Dynaformer foals will be the Triple Crown winner and if it does happen to be Lentenor, people are going to want to know everything about him and you will be innundated with interviews all over again. At least with Nicanor, when his career takes off and it will, most people will already know all about him.

Michael Matz has never been an open book with your horses. So we probably don't know as much as you think we know.

I hope you do reconsider and let us know about Nicanor from time to time. He does brighten my day more than you can imagine. Nicanor is a fun horse to watch. I probably never will be a full-time watcher of Lentenor even if he becomes a sensation. Two different horses, two different styles.

Thanks for letting us know as much as we do about Nicanor. And if you don't send info, I will continue to watch Nicanor at the races.

Kathy

Soldier Course...

It's no big deal.  I was in one of my moods and my mood has been very up and down lately cause of Michael.  It is just that when things happen to these horses, we all pretty much go OMG.  Even if they cough. LOL.  I didn't mean to offend you.  Sorry.  

Soldier Course, how can one forget Barbaro, geezzze he is forever ingrained into my brain...love of the sibblings is normal progression of feelings...all the work done on prevention of horseslaughter ( TWR-ABR )done in his name at least for me..now, forget...dang...it leaves me feeling bleak and empty... crying...I feel like a dog that was kicked in the stomach....

Stardust I am heart broken....I guess, Gretchen Jackson is right, Grief is the price one pays for loving.....

I agree with you that you were helping Ron with that OMG statement.....

Stardust,

Rags is very pregnant and wanted to go home...such a sweet horse..unlike what people think...

oh, what a mess.....

Ragsy,

I posted some links on the other thread update on Nicanor, about bone bruises.

I will not pretend that I know something I have not had experience with or been exposed to with friend's horses.  A bone bruise is one of those.

As for the fetlock, that's kind of vague in that do they mean the fetlock joint itself, or the bottom of the cannon bone, or what?

From what I have read and you can Google and read too, this will take time to heal.

HorseFirst, first thank you, and I have read and reviewed all..its so very helpful...never been so frustrated in this...just because I love....

Any news on our Nicky, Lenny and their family is eagerly welcomed.  I come to this blog to celebrate these magnificent horses and the legacy of their brother.  They're like family to me.  I've sent Nicky treats, and I've sent his mother La Ville a Mother's Day gift. The  baby even got a baby shower gift from me.  I check this blog as often as I can for news.  Someone needs to start a fan club for the brothers.  They are true celeberties and there's no reason why they shouldn't have a fan club.  

Ragsy:

The Barbaro story is in it for the long haul, but apparently some of his connections are not.

Let us consider:

1.  Fans of racing and other members of the public first learned about laminitis because of Barbaro. As a result of this new awareness, thousands if not millions of dollars have been donated to various charities in Barbaro's memory for laminitis research.  Moreover, money will continue to be donated for this worthy cause in Barbaro's memory, probably for years to come.

2.  The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) and its New Bolton Center are on the map because of Barbaro. Who can forget Dr. Dean Richardson's remarkable press conferences about Barbaro's treatments and his condition? Who can forget Governor Ed Rendell delivering a check from the Commonwealth to New Bolton in the amount of $13 million during Barbaro's stay there? I have to believe that Penn Vet has reaped substantial benefits for its coffers, programs, and reputation in the aftermath of Barbaro's story. And it's not over.

3.  Fans and members of the public began to have a better insight into the mystery of Thoroughbred racing's emotional hold on its human audience because of Barbaro. As writer Joe Clancy said in an article which garnered him an Honorable Mention for the Eclipse Awards: How many people have pulled over on an Interstate highway overpass to pay respects to an injured human being, as they did for Barbaro when he was being vanned from Pimlico to New Bolton after the Preakness?

4.   Barbaro's legacy holds boundless potential and no deadlines for good deeds directed in the best interests of Thoroughbred racing. Nicanor and Lentenor are a big part of that legacy.

I have never liked the insulting insouciance of the  expression "move on". The fans will not forget, nor should they.  

Well said Soldier Course.  No other horse has brought people together from all walks of life.  All the great racehorses of the past have come and gone and you don't hear much about them.  Then came Barbaro, and he showed us what a true champion is.   He fought bravely to  overcome his injury and laminitis.  He never gave up.  His career and life was cut short but during this short time he touched so many lives around the world.  His brothers now continue his legacy and hopefully one will win the Triple Crown because I really believe that Barbaro would have won it.  I will never "move on" and  forget this magnificent racehorse, his bravery and his will to live.

There will NEVER be another Barbaro.  NEVER!  ♥

Soldier Course, Chris:

Well said, both of you...never will I forget that magnificient Barbaro..nor..will I move on...like Soldier Course stated those words are insulting..

Thank you both for helping me...