Horse Racing: Nicanor, Dust or Diamond in the Rough?

Nicanor's maiden voyage was nothing like his brother Barbaro's.

Barbaro romped in his maiden start at Delaware Park winning by eight-and-a-half clear lengths. Nicanor was 24-three-fourth lengths back when the leader hit the wire having beaten just two of the twelve starters. 

Nicanor walked with the field in a tight knit group along the outside rail and around into the shadow of the starting gate. All were well  mannered youngsters, warming up without incident and loading  peaceably. The starter caught them well and all broke to a nice line.

Unfortunately, Nicanor bumped with Andiron, to his right, causing him (Nicanor) to stumble just a few jumps out. Edgar Prado stayed seated but they found themselves bringing up the back of the pack and with a good view of all.

Finishing 10th of 12 was not the debut the Nation most had hoped for Nicanor.

Just hearing the race result or glancing at the race chart would make one sigh and dejectedly turn away. 

But wait. It is not so black and white when it comes to young horses, or horse racing in general for that matter. If one were to looked just a little closer, Nicanors' debut would not seem like such a total let down.

Nicanor recovered nicely from the tumultuous break and hit his stride. Prado had his hands full moving up the back stretch. His colt was full of run. Taking a good hold on Nicanor and standing high in the  stirrups, he eased Nicanor to the rail as the bay colt continued pulling him along, picking up horses regardless of the strangle hold. Nicanor was wanting to do more. A trait that can't be taught.

Nicanor showed fearlessness as he ran up into the tight quarters of the leading flight. A trait that can't be taught.

Into fifth position now and just three lengths off the leaders at the half-mile marker. They had made up a dozen lengths on the field.  Briefly they had to steady. Prado guided Nicanor off the rail from behind horses, finding him a scrap of daylight. Nicanor went through boldly splitting horses as the field entered the far turn. A trait that can't be taught.               

Midway around the turn, with a one-fourth mile to go Nicanor hit the wall.

It was to be  expected.

He had  exerted extra energy after the break just staying on his feet. He had sprinted, showing good speed, to make up a dozen lengths that he had spotted the field in the first one-fourth and he had been unyielding to Prado's attempt to relax and rate him the whole way.

Now he was tired and out of air...and beside that...his foot hurt.

Nicanor had grabbed his left quarter in the scramble out of the gate. 'Grabbing a quarter' is a term used to describe a horse  overreaching with a hind foot and  striking/raking the heel/hoof of a front foot, sometimes causing tremendous damage, just ask Big Brown. The injury was found after the race and was reported as a "...slight injury. We’ll just have to see how long it takes to heal." his connections said.

How much did this effected Nicanor's performance? Only Nicanor knows.

He will get out of the gate cleanly and he will learn to relax and rate with time.

He showed confidence and much courage.

He navigated his course flawlessly under Prado and was undaunted by his foes.

He showed speed and a good turn of foot early on in the race and most importantly, he displayed that sometimes ellusive element, gameness.

Let's not despair just yet. Over all I would count his debut a success.

After all, who wants to be EXACTLY like their brother anyway.