Nyquist Jogs in Advance of Final Derby Work
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Nyquist jogs on the Keeneland training track April 28
Reddam Racing's Nyquist jogged on the synthetic training track at Keeneland the morning of April 28 and remains on schedule for his final work before the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Trainer Doug O'Neill said the Uncle Mo colt was scheduled to gallop on the main track Thursday morning but it was wet from overnight rain. He said he decided to have Nyquist jog rather than gallop because the workout is scheduled for Friday afternoon, about 45 minutes before the first race at Keeneland.
"Tomorrow is the big day, and Mario (Gutierrez) is coming in to work him," O'Neill said. "We wanted to give him one more easy day. We haven't missed a beat here (because of the synthetic track). The main track does dry out quickly, but the training track is a luxury."
Nyquist, the champion 2-year-old male of 2015, is undefeated in seven starts; Gutierrez has been aboard in all of his races. The colt has been at Keeneland since April 3, the day after he won the Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (gr. I).