Beat Goes On for Nyquist at Pimlico

Trainer Doug O'Neill believes Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Nyquist will be tough to defeat under normal circumstances in the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), though he doesn't underestimate the competition.

Reddam Racing's Nyquist will gallop on the Pimlico Race Course main track for the first time May 13, and then gallop every other day. That's standard for the 3-year-old Uncle Mo   colt, and O'Neill doesn't intend to change a thing.

"We're just doing a lot of maintenance stuff with him," O'Neill said May 12 during a national media teleconference. "There will be no speed workouts. We're just trying to keep him healthy and happy. He's coming back on short rest. The Kentucky Derby is probably the equivalent of three or four workouts."

Nyquist jogged two miles the morning of May 12 with Jonny Garcia aboard. O'Neill and Garcia arrived in Maryland earlier in the morning after a red-eye flight from California.

"His coat and weight looked well," O'Neill said. "He was full of energy and looked fantastic."

As for winning the Preakness, which he did in 2012 with I'll Have Another after that colt won the Derby, O'Neill said: "One thing Paul Reddam taught me is never say, 'See you in the winner's circle.' The word I like to use is optimistic.

"The biggest thing is for Nyquist to get into his stride. I think we've got the gate speed to get into the position we need to get the results we want."

Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners, and Rocker O Ranch's Exaggerator, second in the Derby, encountered trouble in the midst of a rally on the far turn at Churchill Downs. He is on the list of Preakness probable starters.

"When he runs, he brings it," O'Neill said of Exaggerator, a 3-year-old Curlin colt. "The fact he's coming back in the Preakness probably tells you how good he's doing. If he does run he's a serious horse to fear again."

Jockey Kent Desormeaux, who will have a return call aboard Exaggerator for his brother, Keith, said he has an improving horse. He also would like to see a fast early pace.

"He's getting bigger, faster, longer, and stronger, and he's maturing," Desormeaux said. "I would dare say all of us competing against Nyquist hope he is entertained more, which would help our chances."