NEWS
Nicanor cruises to second straight win
Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 5:44 PM
NICANOR
HoofprintsInc.com
by Steve Bailey
Facing winners for the first time, Nicanor took charge out of the gate and led at every point of call to pick up his second career victory in an allowance race on the turf on Wednesday at Delaware Park.
The three-year-old Dynaformer colt, a full brother to ill-fated 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Barbaro, showed the same affinity in his second start on the turf as his older brother, who was unbeaten in his first three starts on the grass by a combined 20 1/4 lengths.
Trained by Michael Matz for Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables—the same connections behind Barbaro—Nicanor opened his career with three consecutive losses on the dirt, including a pair of runner-up finishes. But he has been impressive in his two starts on grass, including a 15¼-length maiden romp at 3-to-5 odds on May 13 at the Stanton, Delaware, track in his previous start.
"We are not exactly sure where we may run him next," Matz said. "We want to take our time and see how he comes out of this race. But we are very pleased with his race today. But at this point, there is a possibility his next start might be in the Virginia Derby [(G2) on July 18 at Colonial Downs]."
Sent off as the 2-to-5 favorite in a field of eight in the 1 1/8-mile race under jockey Rosie Napravnik, Nicanor broke sharply and saved ground near the rail setting the pace as he covered a half-mile in :48.48 and six furlongs in 1:13.67 with Stevil chasing in second about 1 ½ lengths behind.
The bay colt continued with determination through the turn, opening a 3 1/2-length advantage in upper stretch and holding sway for a 1 ¾-length victory, covering the distance in 1:52.95 on firm turf.
White Holiday came from last early to finish a fast-closing second, three-quarters of a length in front of Stevil.
Bred in Kentucky by the Jacksons, Nicanor is out of the multiple Grade 2-placed winning Carson City mare La Ville Rouge, also the dam of stakes winner Holy Ground. He has won two of five starts and earned $60,900.
The Jacksons picked up another victory moments after Nicanor’s impressive win as stakes winner Rollers, a four-year-old Stormy Atlantic colt trained by Barclay Tagg, won a six-furlong optional claiming race on the dirt at Belmont Park by seven lengths.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of THOROUGHBRED TIMES
