Bram’s Take: Spectacular Showdown in Florida Derby
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This year's Florida Derby features a showdown between unbeaten Nyquist (above left) and undefeated Mohaymen (above right). (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire)
Prep? What Prep? Lets get it on now.
This edition of the Florida Derby is like some giant game of chicken that ended up going way too far. How do Nyquist and Mohaymen end up racing each other in one of the preambles to the Kentucky Derby?
One, financial incentives for Nyquist that honestly I don’t care about and two, because both camps think they got the nut flush and aren’t afraid to show their cards.
I picture Kiaran McLaughlin and Doug O'Neill hanging on some rail at some racetrack having a conversation that went something like this:
O’Neill: “Mohaymen looks great.”
McLaughlin: “So does Nyquist.”
O’Neill: “Gonna be a shame when you lose to us.”
McLaughlin: “Ha.”
O’Neill: “I’m not trash talking here. We’ve got the goods.”
McLaughlin: “See you at the Derby.”
O’Neill: “How about we go right now?”
McLaughlin: “How many times do you want to be embarrassed?”
O’Neill: “We’ll be at Gulfstream. Will You?”
McLaughlin: “We’re already there.”
O’Neill: “I’m serious.”
McLaughlin: “I’M SERIOUS.”
FLORIDA DERBY: ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN
I can’t think of anything else in sports where the showdown happened before going to the place where the showdown is supposed to happen. Rocky fought Ivan Drago in Russia, not on an undercard in Sioux Falls, South Dakota first.
The New York Giants did lose to the New England Patriots in a Week 17 classic the year New England became the first NFL team to end a regular season 16-0. But that schedule was made long before the season started and there was no certainty they’d play again in the Super Bowl that New York won. So, it’s hard to find a real life comparison for this.
Whatever, I don’t care what the reasons are: money, bravado, stupidity. I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the show. I just have one request: the rest of the field agree to scratch themselves so we can have a match race, because in this prep of all preps, that’s all this is anyway.
Here’s the field for the Florida Derby:
Sawyers Mickey: He could hit the board but he might not. Honestly, look at the races he runs. It’s almost schizophrenic. I’m sixth! I’m third! I’m sixth again! I’m winning!!! I lost.
Fellowship: Game plan meeting: “If we run our race and ignore Nyquist and Mohaymen, we finish third. That’s all we want here, third. So just finish third, OOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKK?"
Majesto: Slow pace? Great. He’s got a shot. It won’t be a slow pace. Bye.
Nyquist: His last race was only seven-eighths of mile, which on some level I find odd. But the times were world class. He’s tough, because when he takes the lead he doesn’t pull away but he never relinquishes it. Bring it, Mohaymen.
UNDEFEATED AND BATTLE-TESTED NYQUIST
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Copingaway: Give me a break.
Chovanes: Last race was super-awesome for some run of the mill Race 3 on a Wednesday.
Takeittotheedge: Well, hello stranger, now why would a boy like you come to a place like this? He raced once. He won big. Times are OK. Speed figure is huge for a first go. This is the girl who looks great in a bikini but at day’s end has a bizarre sunburn only on her left leg.
Fashionable Freddy: You can’t be serious.
Mohaymen: He’s 5-for-5. The last couple aren’t even close. Speed figure going up every time. He’s the one American Pharoah is supposed to be passing the torch to. So far, he’s proven to be Usian Bolt.
DAZZLING AND UNBEATEN MOHAYMEN
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Isofass: You not so fass.
I’m not giving you a Full Milty bet this week because I firmly believe Nyquist and Mohaymen are finishing 1-2 in some order. There’s no bet for that unless they are part of a Pick 6. So, you’ll have to settle for a winner and I’ll fully admit my reasoning is lame.
So, I was at Santa Anita shooting some cool video projects for ABR a couple of weeks back (release soon, I’m sure) and I met one of the Nyquist connections. I don’t remember his name and don’t remember the quote verbatim, so I’m paraphrasing here, but he said something to the effect of “Mohaymen hasn’t hooked anything like this before.”
And I can be easily swayed. So that, combined with the fact that I haven’t spoken to anyone who has any connection to Mohaymen, leads me to the conclusion: That guy might be right. I’ll take Nyquist by a nose in a classic, photo finish.
See you both in Louisville.
$1-million Xpressbet Florida DerbyApril 2, Race 14, Gulfstream Park, 6:48 p.m. ET1 1/8 miles, dirt, 3-year-olds
PP
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Owner(s)
Odds
1
Sawyers Mickey
Scott Spieth
Peter Walder
Loooch Racing Stables
30-1
2
Fellowship
Jose Lezcano
Stanley Gold
Jacks or Better Farm
15-1
3
Majesto
Javier Castellano
Gustavo Delgado
Grupo 7C Racing Stable
20-1
4
Nyquist
Mario Gutierrez
Doug O'Neill
Reddam Racing
6-5
5
Copingaway
Miguel A. Vasquez
Jaime Mejia
Thoroughbred Champions Training Center
50-1
6
Chovanes
Edgard Zayas
Jorge Navarro
Gelfenstein Farm
30-1
7
Takeittotheedge
Tyler Gaffalione
Dale Romans
Bakster Farm
20-1
8
Fashionable Freddy
Nik Juarez
Nick Zito
My Meadowview Farm
30-1
9
Mohaymen
Junior Alvarado
Kiaran McLaughlin
Shadwell Stable
1-1
10
Isofass
Julien Leparoux
Francis Abbott, III
DB DOJO
30-1