Nicanor Takes Third

Nicanor finished a game third yesterday in the 3 Coins Up Stakes at Aqueduct. The weather held and the race was run on the turf.

In my opinion, Nicanor ran a good race, but as they came into the far turn, he was in absolutely perfect position to take the lead and open up. The question remains as to whether or not he would have been able to hold onto a lead with Sal the Barber making a game move along the rail, but he was so perfectly positioned, it is a shame the jock didn't just let him go.

If the lesson was rating then I think Nicanor did a good job, laying a perfect second for most of the race within striking distance. Timing is everything in racing and I think Nicky has yet to get his organized--whether it be that he ran out of steam, was out run or just wasted too much energy fighting the tight hold.

No excuses for a bad trip--this was absolutely picture perfect and it is a shame he did not take advantage of the opportunity. Of course, it is entirely possible that Nicky just ran out of steam, but he ran a game race, certainly showed it was a good choice of stake for him and will now head south for a little r and r.

It will be interesting to see if he continues to race as a five year old, or whether he possibly will be retired to the breeding shed to add his DNA to the enduring Barbaro dynasty.