Nyquist Arrives at Keeneland to Train for Derby

Keeneland Photo

The Eclipse champion two-year-old Nyquist, who brought his unbeaten record to a perfect 7-for-7 with his victory in the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) on Saturday, wasted no time shipping to Kentucky to prepare for the May 7th Kentucky Derby (gr. I). On Sunday afternoon, Nyquist flew from Florida and settled down at Keeneland, where he will train in the weeks before the Derby.

Video by Keeneland

Trained by Doug O’Neill, Nyquist won the Florida Derby by 3 1/4 lengths over Majesto, with the previously unbeaten Kentucky Derby favorite Mohaymen finishing fourth. By virtue of his impressive victory, Nyquist has become the new favorite for the Kentucky Derby, but rather than train at Churchill Downs–the home of the Derby–he will be based at Keeneland until much closer to the race.

“Doug chose to bring him here to enjoy the surroundings and also take advantage of the synthetic training track in case there is bad weather,” Jack Sisterson, O’Neill’s assistant trainer, was quoted as saying on the Keeneland website.

Also on the flight from Florida was Nyquist’s stablemate Gomo, who won the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland last year. In her 2016 debut, Gomo finished fourth in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II) on Saturday, but remains under consideration for a start in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill on May 6th.

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