from Thoroughbred Times:

Lentenor, a three-year-old full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Barbaro, powered to a convincing victory on Wednesday at Gulfstream Park in his third career start.

The bay Dynaformer colt stalked pacesetter Dixie Summer’s from second while racing comfortably under John Velazquez in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. Lentenor surged to the front on the final turn and was challenged on the outside by a bold bid from Rock America, but he shook free with an explosive turn of foot to win by an easy 3 1/2 lengths as the 11-to-10 favorite.

Lentenor, a Roy and Gretchen Jackson homebred, covered 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.02.

Lentenor finished third in his career debut on the synthetic Polytrack surface at Keeneland Race Course on October 31 and followed with a runner-up finish on grass at Aqueduct on November 28. After Wednesday’s visually impressive victory, trainer Michael Matz said he knew Lentenor had talent and simply needed time to mature.

“We’ve always known he was a good horse. He’s a big boy and still a bit immature, but he got a lot of experience today,” Matz said. “He’d been working well. We’ll see how he comes out of it and take a little time to evaluate what might be next.”

Out of multiple Grade 2-placed winner La Ville Rouge, by Carson City, Lentenor showed a bit of his immaturity on Wednesday when surged well clear in the stretch and started gawking at the crowd. But based on his performance, Matz said Lentenor’s victory opened up several options for his next start.

“It could be an [allowance race] or maybe even a turf stakes if we think he’s up to it,” Matz said. “Naturally, with a horse like this there are thoughts of a Triple Crown race, but it’s much too early to say whether he’d be far enough long to consider something like that. Naturally, I’m very pleased with how he ran today.”

Matz also trains Lentenor’s four-year-old full brother Nicanor, a two-time winner on grass last year for the Jacksons.

Barbaro captivated the nation with a 6 1/2-length romp in the 2006 Kentucky Derby to improve to six wins in as many starts. He subsequently drew national attention for his fight for survival after shattering his right hind leg in the opening strides of the Preakness Stakes (G1). He was euthanized on January 29, 2007, after complications with laminitis.

__________________
www.DiscreetPicks.com