Nyquist Will Be Saddled Indoors for Preakness

When Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Nyquist prepares for the second leg of the Triple Crown in the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), his trainer will eschew with tradition and saddle the Uncle Mo   colt in the inside paddock rather than on the turf course, as is traditional.

“He has saddled in a stall every day,” trainer Doug O’Neill said May 17. “Now is not a good time to change.”

While saddling the Preakness horses on the turf course in public view is traditional—the connections of last year’s participants risked lightning and were drenched by a major thunderstorm just prior to post time—it is fairly common for some participants to be saddled indoors.

For example, in 2009 more than half the field, including eventual winner Rachel Alexandra, were saddled indoors.