Trainer Michael Matz switched Nicanor to the turf for his fourth career start and it clearly suited the colt well, as he demolished a maiden special weight field by 15 1/4 lengths at Delaware Park May 13.

The 3-year-old Dynaformer colt, who is a full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, took the lead early and never looked back. Under jockey Rosie Napravnik, Nicanor set comfortable fractions of :24.34, :49.0, and 1:14.35 before completing the 1 1/16-mile contest in 1:46.31.

“I am relieved that this is over with,” said Matz. “I think he has a good future and I think he is a real nice horse; I always did. I am not sure if it was the turf or the blinkers, or what, but he ran great today.”

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Nicanor had a 10-length lead at the top of the stretch. From there, with his ears pricked, the bay colt continued to open up on his 10 rivals

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