Saratoga Sinner upsets the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31, 2009.

With graded stakes winners West Side Bernie and Beethoven unable to overcome disadvantageous post positions as well as their 122-pound weight assignments, and 6-5 favorite Danger to Society turning in a disappointing performance, Bear’s Rocket and Saratoga Sinner controlled the 1 1/8-mile Holy Bull from start to finish. Saratoga Sinner, a 12-1 chance ridden by Julien Leparoux, ultimately prevailed by three-quarters of a length over the 33-1 Bear’s Rocket.

All the anticipation surrounding the debut of Barbaro’s baby brother Nicanor here Saturday was, at least for the time being, much ado about nothing.

Nicanor’s appearance in Saturday’s eighth race, a maiden special weight event for 3-year-olds at a mile, created quite a media stir and garnered nationwide attention both within and outside the racing world.

Unfortunately, Nicanor failed to live up to everybody’s lofty expectations. Nicanor finished 10th, some 25 lengths behind race winner Warrior’s Reward, after going off the 5-2 second choice.