In 2012, I’ll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness before O’Neill had to scratch the horse the morning before the Belmont.
Advertisement
Nyquist, a 2-1 favorite now undefeated in eight starts, grabbed the lead down the homestretch and held off Exaggerator to win by 1 1/4 lengths.
Nyquist challenged throughout the 1 1/4-mile race before Gutierrez seized his opportunity at the top of the stretch. The longtime Louisiana Tech supporter witnessed his third Derby, and Destin’s finish bested the ninth-place spot by Mission Impazible in 2010. He knew his horse, he knew where he was and he knew that Exaggerator was not going to catch him. But, like I say, I get the confidence from Nyquist.
There are also lingering questions about the horse racing industry itself, including questions on whether the sport needs a commissioner to oversee it. The differing rules for each state and no standard for drug testing, leading many to worry about the future of the sport.
Trained by Doug O’Neill, and owned by Paul Reddam, Nyquist went into the first turn a comfortable second, with the Louisiana Derby victor, Gun Runner, just behind him in third.
Reddam admitted in the winner’s circle a part of his mind is on that unfinished business, even as he enjoyed the Run for the Roses. “I trust him”, Gutierrez said.
Of course, the conclusion to this year’s Derby Day, now in the books, also ushers us to the starting gate of another beloved, decades-old tradition: talk of a potential Triple Crown.
After the race, O’Neill was full of praise for the ride that Gutierrez gave Nyquist.
“He knows when to rest and when to bring his A game”.
“I just hope I have a horse to root for turning for home”, he said.
“I am more mature now and was able to take pressure”. Nyquist quickly rewarded the investment, winning five races as a 2-year-old, including the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Duignan will have to wait at least another year to have his shot at a Kentucky Derby victory. “She made me realised why I loved riding so much, and then Nyquist appeared in my life”.
The bay colt is from the first crop of sire Uncle Mo, who never got the chance to run in the Derby after being the early favorite for the 2011 race.
“People were laughing at me, and making jokes, but I wanted to show I was still hungry”, he said in the Toronto Sun interview. “I thought we would be a little closer to the pace but they went really fast and we got shuffled back”.
Nyquist and Gun Runner overtook tiring leader Danzing Candy at the top of the stretch. He has the unenviable task of following in the hoof prints of Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, and so far isn’t getting the respect expected for the only undefeated horse in the race. “I was anxious about him going too fast”.
Attendance was 167,227, Churchill reported, the second-highest in Derby history. This one dating back just one year, when American Pharoah started a journey toward a Triple Crown sweep that many viewed as futile in this day and age. “But he’s definitely the best horse I have ever been around”. There’s no way to know whether Nyquist is thinking ahead, but Reddam assured NBC’s Bob Costas post-race Saturday that he’s not ready to think Triple Crown yet.
Advertisement
“The whole O’Neill team was just flawless”, owner said. Ninth was Lani. Mor Spirit, broken by Ciaron and Amy Dunne in Ocala, was 10th.
