Va. Derby loses Nicanor to leg injury

Scheduled to cover for an employee Saturday in North Carolina, I was seriously considering scenarios in which I could do some work ahead of time, skip out for half a day (and by that I mean 12 hours) and travel to New Kent, Va., to cover the Virginia Derby-G2 at Colonial Downs.

No need, now. Nicanor's out.

Nicanor, the baby full brother of ill-fated Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was scheduled to make his stakes debut Saturday at Colonial. But trainer Michael Matz said the Dynaformer colt injured himself in a workout this week and will be scratched.

Rats.

That doesn't mean the Virginia Derby won't be a decent race. Colonial Turf Cup champ Battle of Hastings returns, as do rivals from that race, Lime Rickey, Take the Points and Straight Story. The latter is in at an attractive 10/1 morning line considering he nearly beat Battle of Hastings in the Turf Cup.

Also in are Kentucky Derby starter Hold Me Back (5/1), Affirmatif, Churchill Downs G2 winner and Japanese-bred Florentino, El Crespo and Safety Valve.

So I still would love to see the race in person. I think it will be a good one.

But Nicanor was the only name that would make me pursue the nonsensical -- scramble to get last-minute credentials; sneak out of town when I should be at work; drive almost three hours there (and then back) to stand by the inside rail near the finish line.

I hope he's well, I hope all have a safe trip Saturday (including those fans who are driving to New Kent for the race), and that the finish to the Derby as as rousing as that in the Turf Cup.

I'll be watching on CBS.