Barbaro's brother Lentenor ends up third in allowance

STANTON, Del. - Barbaro's full brother Lentenor made his first start since finishing fourth in this year's Florida Derby at Delaware Park on Tuesday, but came up a bit short in the drive and wound up finishing third as the 1-2 choice in a 7 1/2-furlong allowance race on turf.

Ridden by Jose Valdivida Jr., Lentenor chased a torrid pace set by Watts Ferrry that included a half-mile in 46.57 seconds and six furlongs in 1:10.40. He then challenged outside that one into the stretch, but weakened a bit between rivals through the late stages as the Jonathan Sheppard trainee Inauguration rallied along the outside and outfinsihed Majestictroubadour by a half-length.

Lentenor wound up third in the field of nine, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, as Inauguration covered the distance over a firm turf course in a very quick 1:28.34, less than a second off the track record of 1:27.83.

"He chased some pretty quick fractions, then was in a little trafffic in the stretch, so all things considered we feel he got a lot out of the race," trainer Michael Matz said afterward. "While we would have liked to have won, I think he should move forward off this effort. Considering he's been away four months and this may have been a little shorter than his best distance, he did well."

Matz said he was unsure when or where Lentenor would make his next start.