But it’s easier to shrug off such history when your horse has always found a way to finish first. “I wanted the 16”. “So we’re feeling good”.
Advertisement
Could Creator be a sleeper on Saturday when he takes on the field at the Kentucky Derby?
Nothing has happened at Churchill Downs this week to suggest there’s reason to doubt Nyquist’s status as the Kentucky Derby favorite, including Wednesday’s post position draw.
Here’s a look at the derby’s leader board ahead of the race. “It’s the day everybody in the general region is going to be out at Louisiana Downs and it helps us let people know Louisiana Downs is open and racing for the season”. “That’s the most interesting thing”.
The entry box closed Wednesday morning, with the draw to determine post positions set for later in the afternoon.
DRF notes that 21 of the past 25 winners of the Kentucky Derby finished either first or second in their final race before running at Churchill Downs.
All of these contenders possess the coveted trait horsemen refer to as tactical speed.
So yeah, the race may not be until Saturday.
“I lost a little confidence after the race”, he said.
The post time for horses and jockeys is scheduled for 6:34 p.m.
Mohaymen, meanwhile, is a 10-1 co-third choice after his deeply disappointing showing in the April 2 Florida Derby.
Trained by Doug O’Neill, Nyquist is undefeated in seven career races. But he faltered to a fourth-place finish.
But the horse and rider never missed a beat, like a race vehicle driver pushing the pedal to the metal coming out of a turn.
The loss hasn’t discouraged Kiaran McLaughlin, Mohaymen’s trainer, even if others have lost faith.
The only horse who appeared to be significantly compromised by post position was Trojan Nation, who comes into the race winless and drew the dreaded No. 1 hole. I acknowledge all the reservations mentioned above, but horses this dominant in their division’s biggest events should not be taken lightly, especially in a year short on stars. People right here in South Central Kentucky started preparing for the big day months ago. Trained by Keith Desormeaux and ridden by his brother, Kent, a three-time victor of the Derby, Exaggerator is bidding to become the third Santa Anita Derby victor in the past five years to win the Run for the Roses.
But when you lose a race – and you lose it badly – the hype disappears. “He’s shown versatility to win on the lead or off the pace, so we’ve got options”. A strong challenge is expected from Exaggerator and Mohaymen at 8-1 odds. “And they’re good closers”. Stevens has won the Kentucky Derby three times. Canonero II in 1971 remains the only horse to win Kentucky Derby as a foreign shipper, although he did run twice at Del Mar as a juvenile. My problem with that theory is that I think at least half the field has virtually no chance.
A victory by Nyquist would give the human combination of Paul Reddam, O’Neill and Gutierrez a second Derby trophy to go with the one earned by I’ll Have Another in 2012.
Kent Desormeaux said his goal is not to mount a late charge but to help his horse find a steady, comfortable pace, just as he did at Santa Anita.
Advertisement
Since 2008, trainer Todd Pletcher has sent 24 runners to the Kentucky Derby going 0-2-1.
