Nyquist's Return to Track Possible April 9
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Nyquist in his stall at Keeneland
Contingent upon test results showing he no longer has an elevated white blood cell count, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) favorite Nyquist is scheduled to make his first on-track appearance at Keeneland Saturday, April 9.
Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill, said blood was drawn early Friday morning and that if the results—expected late morning—are good then the undefeated colt would go to the track around 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
The champion son of Uncle Mo owned by Reddam Racing has been at Keeneland since the day after his April 2 romp in the Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (gr. I). He is expected to train at the Lexington track leading up to the May 7 Derby.
Sisterson said Nyquist has a good energy level and is aggressive when walked around the barn area and that his appetite is still good. With all outward signs of normalcy, there would have been no indication of the slightly elevated white blood cell count were it not for Team O'Neill's practice of having blood work performed.
"He's eager to get back to the track; we're eager for him to get back to the track," Sisterson said.
Sisterson said it was better to have detected the abnormality at this point rather than take the risk of the horse possibly becoming sick closer to the Derby.