Nicanor

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

Does anyone have any credible info/ideas on when this colt makes a start?

Bloodhorse blog says even Matz doesn't know for sure when or what surface mainly because it depends on what races come up. I don't have the condition book in front or me or anything but it could be 7 furlongs or so on dirt or a bit longer on turf he said. Is there anything in the last full week of January that fits?

[citycat]

Palm Meadows: 4f in 50.40

[RollerDoc]

I will definitely be riding the Nicanor bandwagon in 2009. Can't wait for the spring to see exactly what this horse is made of.

[Linny]

A friend who used to work for Matz and still has friends in the barn says that they are looking at late Jan early Feb and that the specific spot has not been determined. There are plenty of options in the book in terms of surface and distance.

[TheSpyder]

Running this Saturday according to Gulfstream announcer

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by RollerDoc

I will definitely be riding the Nicanor bandwagon in 2009. Can't wait for the spring to see exactly what this horse is made of.

i know i'm shocked.

[citycat]

Entry:

Gulfstream Park 1/31/09
Race 8
Maiden Special Weight
1 mile
PP: 4
Edgar Prado
full field of 12
purse: 40K

[Riot]

On the CBS Evening News right now 6:30 eastern, they are having a story on Nicanor carrying on Barbaro's legend.

[blackthroatedwind]

Granted, Matz probably has him as ready as possible, and the field doesn't look too strong on paper, but any self-respecting horseplayer has to bet against what might be the biggest underlay in the history of the game.

[Riot]

Obviously.

And yet horse racing is getting great, empathetic, touchy-feely PR on the CBS Evening News right now.

[blackthroatedwind]

Sorry if I don't think the Friends of Barbaro stuff is good for the game.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Sorry if I don't think the Friends of Barbaro stuff is good for the game.

Why not?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Riot

Why not?

A better question would be why.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Granted, Matz probably has him as ready as possible, and the field doesn't look too strong on paper, but any self-respecting horseplayer has to bet against what might be the biggest underlay in the history of the game.

No, he will never knock The Green Monkey off that perch.

[Riot]

It was a great thing for horse racing: showed the horse, talked about Barbaro, interviewed happy friendly fans at the busy crowded paddock of the track on a beautiful Florida day, talked about the Friends of Barbaro TB horse rescue, talked to the smiling Olympic-hero horse trainer, even a final pastoral picture of Lentenor kicking up his heels with mom.

All those casual news watchers whose last dim memory of horses and TB racing was Eight Belles and the Derby and evil horse people that drug horses only to make money.

Replaced by this. It's terrific PR for the sport.

[Danzig]

i just don't think it's a good thing that the #1 topic of discussion is a horse who broke down and was subsquently euthanized. how does that get people to forget eight belles' ending? i would think it would only reinforce it-along with whatever people got out of that stupid csi show--how many folks think that show is an accurate depiction each week??

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

A better question would be why.

Because Barbaro is the glue that holds us all together.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i just don't think it's a good thing that the #1 topic of discussion is a horse who broke down and was subsquently euthanized. how does that get people to forget eight belles' ending? i would think it would only reinforce it-along with whatever people got out of that stupid csi show--how many folks think that show is an accurate depiction each week??

Well, go see if you can find the clip somewhere, and watch it. It went on from Barbaro.

The care Barbaro received only reflected outstandingly well upon horse racing. People not even involved in the sport worshipped Richardson and the horse and the connections and followed the story for months and wept when he was lost and donated lots of money to the vet school.

Thus the sustained interest in Nicanor, so much so that one of the three major network news organizations featured five minutes of incredibly good PR for horse racing during the prime time evening newscast.

Versus the Derby and Eight Belles going down on national TV and slick hair, sunglasses and Dutrow and steroids.

Perhaps CBS Evening News should have played Beyers' talk on ATR?

[AeWingnut]

I had a guy at work, that never bet on a horse in his life - come up to me and ask about Nicanor

[Riot]

Take him to the track!