Stanley Cup Pays Visit to O’Neill Barn

Representatives of the National Hockey League were on the backstretch at Churchill Downs the morning of May 7 and had Nyquist, favored for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) later in the day, pose with the Stanley Cup trophy.

The trophy, bestowed upon the NHL playoff winner each year and then moved to the next year’s winner, is 35 1/4 inches tall and weighs 34 1/2 pounds.

The NHL’s Jamey Horan said the trophy has made visits to Churchill before and that this year was a natural fit since Nyquist, owned by Reddam Racing, is named for Swedish ice hockey player Gustav Nyquist, a starting right wing for the Detroit Red Wings.

Also, having the trophy at Churchill was part of a marketing venture with NBC Sports Group, which broadcasts both the Derby and the Stanley Cup, Horan said.

The trophy visit was the most exciting event in the Churchill barn area Saturday morning.

While Nyquist and many of the other Derby starters walked in their barns, some went to the track, including Mohaymen, who seeks to avenge his only career loss when a troubled fourth in Nyquist’s Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (gr. I) victory.

“We decided to train this morning to keep him in his routine because he’s been a little too keen of late. I’m feeling confident; he couldn’t be doing any better,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

Others who went to the track during the 5:45-6 a.m. EDT period set aside for Derby horses included Lani, Danzing Candy, and Trojan Nation.

The weather forecast couldn’t be better, with sunny skies, light winds, and a high temperature of 81 degrees until thunderstorms move in late in the day. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 30% chance of isolated thunderstorms beginning at 6 p.m., rising to a 55% chance of scattered thunderstorms at 9 p.m.