Nyquist Strong in First Churchill Gallop

After jogging for two days following his April 30 arrival at Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) favorite Nyquist was strong May 3 in his first gallop over the Louisville track.

Under regular exercise rider Jonny Garcia, Nyquist galloped for the first time since his April 29 breeze at Keeneland, where he was based after winning the April 2 Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (gr. I). Reddam Racing's Uncle Mo   colt carries a seven-for-seven streak into the Kentucky Derby, as trainer Doug O'Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam seek a second Derby score to join their 2012 victory with I'll Have Another.

"Great energy—really was stretching out a long way, jumping a long way," O'Neill said of the gallop. "Jonny was really happy with him, so I couldn't ask for anything more today. The beauty of a horse like Nyquist is, he's run on multiple, different tracks and he handles them all well, and he's getting along with this one really good."

Others out on the track the morning of May 3 included Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Exaggerator, who although he did not train the morning of May 2, did school in the paddock after training. The son of Curlin returned to the track in good spirits for trainer Keith Desormeaux.

Meanwhile, trainer Brad Cox said he was not optimistic of the chances of Dazzling Gem, 24th on the Derby points list, drawing into the 20-horse Derby field, and was considering his alternatives for the son of Misremembered  .

Cox said he and owner Steve Landers would decide later Tuesday on whether to even enter the Derby when entries are taken May 4.

"It just doesn't look like there are going to be any defections," Cox said.  "We're happy with the horse and how he's doing and that's the important thing."

Cox said he was ruling out the May Pat Day Mile (gr. III) for the colt, with the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) as "Plan A" and the May 14 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park as "Plan B."