Barbaro's brother wins maiden

The combination of a surface switch and new equipment worked wonders for Barbaro's younger brother Wednesday afternoon at Delaware Park.

Racing on turf for the first time and adding blinkers to his equipment, the 3-year-old Nicanor romped to a 15 1/4-length victory in a maiden race.

The victory for the sibling of Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, came after he failed in three starts on dirt at Gulfstream Park.

"I am relieved that this is over with," said trainer Michael 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 of the blinkers or what, but he ran great today."

Matz did not indicate where or when Nicanor, a son of Dynaformer out of the Carson City mare La Ville Rouge, will race next.

The heavy favorite in a field of 10, Nicanor ($3.20) was sent to the lead by jockey Anna Napravnik and set fractions of 49 seconds and 1:14.35 en route to completing 1 1/16 miles on a firm course in 1:46.31.