NICANOR SCRATCHES FROM VIRGINIA DERBY

Virginia’s run of bad luck in big races for colts continues as Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s full-brother Nicanor has scratched from tomorrow’s $750,000 Virginia Derby Gr. II.

According to the Blood-Horse, Nicanor was scratched due to a leg injury.

Trainer Michael Matz says Nicanor injured his left hind leg during a gallop the other day. The injury became evident when the horse worked out Thursday in Maryland.

Starting with Quality Road’s quarter crack which caused him to miss the Triple Crown, Virginia and Colonial Downs have had a hard time catching a break. Whether it’s Charitable Man’s good fourth in a very tough Belmont Stakes or the boycott of Colonial Downs by TrackNet Media ADWs and racetracks, Virginia hasn’t had much to cheer about this summer.

However, mimicking the national scene, where Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are making headlines, the Virginia fillies continue to make great news.

We’ve researched this a bit and we can’t find a contradictory answer, so we are gonna go out on the limb and say when Edward P. Evans’ Cat Mover and Light Green (at right) finished first and second recently in the Gr. I Prioress Stakes at Belmont, that was the first time EVER that Virginia-breds finished 1-2 in a Gr. I stake.

Of course, Secretariat and Riva Ridge running one-two in the Marlboro Cup comes to mind, but while Riva Ridge was owned and bred by the Meadow
Stable of Virginia, he was actually foaled in Kentucky…

Congratulations to the whole Spring Hill farm crew down in Casanova, VA on another remarkable accomplishment, and maybe the filly Malibu Prayer can turn Virginia’s luck around tomorrow in the $250,000 Delaware Oaks Gr.II?