Nyquist Staying On Target for the Derby

The Nyquist Derby Express remains on track and is rolling full-stream toward the First Saturday in May.

Trainer Doug O'Neill stopped off in Lexington to check on the likely favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on his way back to California from Charleston, W.Va., where he ran Donworth in the Charles Town Classic (gr. II) the day before. 

Nyquist worked in company at Keeneland with Ralis April 23, going a smooth five furlongs in 1:01 4/5.

"The big boy looks great," O'Neill said after reviewing his string in Barn 24 at Keeneland. "He ate up great; his legs are ice-cold."

O'Neill said he will travel back to California Sunday and will return next April 28, with the expectation that Reddam Racing's undefeated son of Uncle Mo   will work some time during the April 29-May 1 window. 

"Ideally we'll work Saturday, but it is a matter of the weather, whenever the track seems at its best," O'Neill said. "Whatever day he does work and comes out of it good, we'll go to Churchill the next day."

O'Neill said the key heading into the Derby is keeping everything on an even keel. The West Coast-based trainer will be making his fifth start in the American classic with Nyquist. He and owner J. Paul Reddam got to hoist the gold trophy in the winner's circle in 2012 with I'll Have Another. The same team that enjoyed the remarkable ride through the Triple Crown series is still with O'Neill.

"I'm so lucky to have these good people stay with me as long as they have," the trainer said. "The continuity is huge. These guys are not only great horsemen; they're great friends as well. Being able to share all the highs and lows of daily caring for horses is huge. This is a real demanding job, as far as time and the stress can be high if you can't share it with others."

Regarding Donworth's third-place finish in the$1.25 million Classic in West Virginia, O'Neill said was very happy with the performance of Reddam's son of Tiznow  . 

"He is such a big horse and that track, the way it is designed you really need to be in position," he said, referring to the tighter six-furlong main track at Charles Town. "He hesitated just a little bit and didn't get the position he needed. That being said, (jockey) Mario (Gutierrez) did a great job keeping him in the clear. He tried all the way."

Donworth raced wide for most his trip and was closing against the leaders in the stretch with Imperative. He beat out Imperative for third by a neck and was 3 3/4 lengths behind the gate-to-wire winner Stanford.

O'Neill said Donworth will ship back to Kentucky for a couple days of "spa-like treatment" that will include some time in a hyperbaric chamber. He will then ship to Churchill Downs with Nyquist. O'Neill said he is not sure about his next race, which may be at Pimlico Race Course.