Nicky's a Close Fifth

Here is the video from Nicanor's four year old debut at Keeneland at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf on Thursday. He finished a close fifth, which is actually an impressive showing after such a long lay off. The second, third, fourth and fifth horses were just separated by a length--all bunched together at the wire.

There is no denying the fact that Nicky got tired down the stretch--to be expected after such a long layoff, but he showed composure and determination as he lay second for practically the entire race. There was no second gear as they turned for home and the horses that caught him all had a little bit more left in their tanks.

All of this will come and the fact that Nicky settled down nicely after fighting for his head at the start is a very positive sign. He needed to remember how to run a race and like Lenny, I think he is a fast learner. Give him a race or two and he should prove to be a big, strong grass horse this summer.

All in all, a very positive return to the track for Nicanor. Look for his next race at Churchill Downs in about five weeks.