Nicanor's Anticipated Debut

Photo courtesy of www.bloodhorse.com

The much-anticipated debut of Nicanor, Barbaro's baby brother, was a bust yesterday at Gulfstream Park. Nicanor stumbled coming out of the gate and "grabbed a quarter" (caught his front hoof with his back hoof, cutting the heel). He managed to fight his way from last to 5th, 3 lengths off the leader, then was pulled back "under wraps" by his jockey, Edgar Prado. He finished 10th out of 12. They are calling it a "slight" injury, so hopefully he will heal up okay and be back on the track soon. But even the slightest notion of Derby dreams are most likely not in his future.

To top it off, Rockland, Smarty Jones' most promising 3-year-old, finished a disappointing 8th in the Holy Bull Stakes, so it's not likely that Smarty will be represented in this year's Kentucky Derby, unless Rockland does something spectacular in his next race, or unless one of the as-yet-unraced 3-year-olds really makes a splash. Two are in the same race today - Smart-n-Snazzy, and Artisan - at Gulfstream, and Run Smart One will run at Turfway Park today, if there is racing - that is in Kentucky, for those who don't know, which bore the brunt of the ice storm this past week.

Good luck to all, and come home safe!!