Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who raced Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and are continuing that horse’s legacy with his full siblings at the track, were encouraged by the developments over the last year and are looking forward to 2010.
Roy Jackson said Lentenor, who has been making steady progress back from a minor hoof bruise, is ready to run and will be entered as soon as trainer Michael Matz finds a race that suits his conditions and running style. In two starts this year, Lentenor finished third in a main track race and was second in a turf race. While Lentenor has been nominated to the Tropical Park Derby, Jackson said on Wednesday, Dec. 23, he did not know if the colt would run in the race, suggesting we contact trainer Matz. Several attempts to reach Matz Wednesday morning were not successful.
Nicanor, who won two turf races before sustaining an injury, is preparing for his comeback early next year. And Yes, it does look like this family has an affinity for grass racing.
Roy Jackson says: “Nicanor is getting cranked up. Maybe it (injury) was a blessing. He has grown and is putting on weight. Lentenor is looking for a race.”
Also part of the Jackson’s optimism is that La Ville Rouge, the dam of Barbaro, Lentenor, and Nicanor is for the first time carrying a filly from her 2009 breeding to Dynaformer. Dynaformer is the sire of Barbaro, Nicanor, and Lentenor. Jackson said that La Ville Rouge’s pregnancy is going fine and that plans are to breed her back to Dynaformer in 2010.
Finally, despite all the speculation, the Jacksons have not named the 2009 Dynaformer—La Ville Rouge colt. “Gretchen has a list and we will get to it after Christmas..”
Roy Jackson requests that Barbaro’s followers, especially FOBs, keep up their support, both for the horse’s siblings and La Ville Rouge and for the betterment of laminitis research.
“We appreciate everything they are doing. We get all the letters and know they are still actively involved. Whatever they can do to help that whole area (laminitis and other equine research)... is appreciated.”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Jacksons and your moderator.