Nyquist Spikes Fever; Did Not Ship to Belmont

Nyquist, the champion colt who finished third in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) in his first career loss, has spiked a fever and did not ship to Belmont Park as scheduled May 23.

The Uncle Mo   colt trained by Doug O’Neill for Reddam Racing had a temperature of 102 degrees Monday morning, according to Dennis O’Neill, assistant to brother Doug.

“I think he has some sort of virus we need to get under control,” Dennis O’Neill said. “He ate well, but his temperature was 102 so we decided not to ship. We drew some blood and will know more tomorrow."

Reddam and O’Neill had planned to ship the colt to New York for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and a possible showdown with Preakness winner Exaggerator, who finished second to Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Exaggerator, owned by Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners, and Rocker O Ranch, walked the shedrow at Pimlico the morning of May 23. Trainer Keith Desormeaux opted to keep the Curlin   colt in Maryland the week after the Preakness rather than shipping him to Belmont Park.

"He didn't do anything today but walk," Desormeaux said. "We'll probably go back to the track (Tuesday) morning."

Desormeaux said the plan is for Exaggerator to ship to New York May 29, which would give him almost two weeks at Belmont before the Belmont Stakes.