Nyquist to Work in Afternoon at Santa Anita

Champion Nyquist, unraced since his third-place finish in the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), will work five furlongs prior to the first race at Santa Anita Park June 25, according to trainer Doug O'Neill.  

With first post scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PT for a card anchored by The Gold Cup at Santa Anita (gr. I), the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner is scheduled to come onto Santa Anita's main track at approximately 12:45 p.m.

"It's Gold Cup Day at Santa Anita and (owner) Paul (Reddam) feels like this is a great opportunity to share Nyquist with all of our fans and to help promote the sport," O'Neill said. 

"The horse is doing tremendous. He worked a half-mile last Friday and the timing for this work is perfect. Mario (Gutierrez) is going to breeze him and we'll let him gallop out an extra eighth."

BALAN: Nyquist Works Back at Santa Anita

Nyquist, whose ultimate objective this year is the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Nov. 5, will come through Santa Anita's paddock prior to coming onto the main track via the tunnel just east of the winner's circle. He breezed before the races at Keeneland this April in preparation for his Kentucky Derby score.

A Kentucky-bred colt by Uncle Mo   out of the Forestry mare Seeking Gabrielle, Nyquist has amassed earnings of $5,119,200. In addition to the Kentucky Derby, his grade I wins include the Florida Derby, Breeders' Cup Juvenile, FrontRunner Stakes, and Del Mar Futurity. His connections have not yet announced a definite target for his next start.