Barbaro’s Brother Nicanor Has Broken Hooves To Fill

We don’t mean to be so pessimistic and coarse, but after Eight Belles tragic injury at this year’s Kentucky Derby, and all the literature we’ve read about horses bones inadequacy to run races before the age of three, we’re convinced that forcing a two year old Barabaro deux, or “Nicanor,” to race in his older brother’s footsteps is like heading back into Iraq after 13 years: it’s destined for failure. But people need their heroes and gamblers need to make some money.

The bay colt Nicanor has never been tested and has never raced, but he is already special. His every start, even his every move, will be followed and scrutinized, and the expectations will be tremendous. Barbaro’s little brother is getting there, nearing a race, ready to answer the tantalizing question of whether he, too, has what it takes to be a star.
Peter Brette, an assistant trainer, and Nicanor during a workout. Nicanor could make his racing debut as early as this fall.
“Obviously, those are big shoes that he has to fill,” the trainer Michael Matz said as Nicanor and six other 2-year-olds jogged in front of his watchful eye at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland earlier this week.

We don’t want to beat a dead horse…wait…we mean…look. It’s pathetic that all eyes will be on this horse simply because Barbaro proved to be a gracious underdog that prevailed. If horses can be gracious at all. This horse may amount to greatness because of genetics, but all history tells us that Nicanor will win a few races, place multiple times and retire after a few years. We’ve got 5-2 that we’re right. But don’t tell that to trainers.

There are some hints, though. He appears to be athletic, is put together well and has a good disposition. He also seems curious and intelligent. Like Barbaro, he has a habit of taking in the scenery when he goes to the track in the mornings. He will peer at his surroundings before he tells his exercise rider that he is ready to go.

“He just seems like he has a very good attitude, and he’s very well balanced and very well made,” Matz said. “At this point, that’s all we can ask for. He gallops well and moves well. We haven’t worked him fast or anything like that, but everybody that rides him says he feels like he’s a very powerful horse.”

Well he should. Nicanor’s a horse. And horses are powerful whether they’re thoroughbreds or not. Do you think this is all hype, or are people banking on Barbaro incarnate?
Barbaro’s Little Brother Nearly Ready to Run [NY Times]
Image [NY Times]