Lenny, a Disappointing Seventh

Lentenor finished a disappointing seventh out of eight in the Kent Stakes at Delaware Park yesterday. He broke well, seemed like he settled nicely along the back stretch but when he was asked to run at the top of the stretch, he just didn't have the goods.

There was some head bobbing as they turned for home--perhaps it was a lead change thing again--but Lenny never looked comfortable or actually, even interested, in getting himself up with the front runners in the second half of the race. Lots of discussion about whether or not he is a turf or dirt horse. I truly think he can run on either surface. I just think he was outclassed yesterday.

They were slow fractions but those were some nice horses that he ran with. Can he hold his own with them? Maybe but he still needs some seasoning and, frankly, he looked green and gangly coming down that stretch.

It is possible that he needs another bit of a hiatus until he comes into his own and is ready to pay closer attention to the business of winning. It is a timing issue and Dyanformers, as we all know, are characteristically, late-bloomers. You don't want to take his head out of the game, but you don't want him to continually be in races where he is chasing the winners.

Nicanor was perfectly placed and delivered the goods. Lenny's was a far tougher race and would probably do better in an allowance situation the next time out.