Nyquist Arrives at Monmouth

From the West Coast to the East Coast, Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Nyquist and Iowa Derby (gr. III) winner American Freedom touched down at Atlantic City International Airport just after 3 p.m. EDT and arrived at Monmouth Park late in the afternoon of July 27 for their run in the $1 million betfair.com Haskell Invitational (gr. I) July 31.

Nyquist, who shipped in from Del Mar, is making his first start off a third-place finish in the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course, the first blemish in his nine-race career.

The 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo   made his final preparations for his Haskell run July 24 at Del Mar when he went a mile in 1:39 2/5.

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Nyquist, Songbird Drill at Del Mar

Owned by Reddam Racing, Nyquist broke his maiden at first asking before finishing off his undefeated 2015 season with three straight grade I wins, capping it with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland en route to 2-year-old champion honors.

Nyquist started his sophomore season with a win in the seven-furlong San Vicente (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park before making his first trip to the East Coast and taking the field wire-to-wire in the Florida Derby (gr. I). He will again meet Preakness winner Exaggerator, who turned the tables in their last meeting before going on to run off the board in the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), a race Nyquist missed due to a fever.

NOVAK: Exaggerator to Run in Haskell

Along with Nyquist, trainer Bob Baffert's American Freedom flew in from Del Mar to try and give his conditioner a record ninth Haskell title.

Owned by Gary and Mary West, American Freedom exits his July 1 Iowa Derby score at Prairie Meadows, where he broke sharply from the gate and took a narrow lead going into the first turn. From there, the colt never looked back, posting a 4 3/4 length win.

American Freedom is 3-for-4 in his brief career, having graduated from the maiden ranks at first asking before finishing sixth in the May 7 Pat Day Mile (gr. III). The son of Pulpit earned his way back to the winner's circle on the Preakness undercard in the LARC Sir Barton Stakes by a length.

American Freedom worked July 26 over the Del Mar main track in his final move for the Haskell, going four furlongs in a bullet :47.

Monmouth Park will be open to the public Thursday-Saturday from 7:15-8:15 a.m. to watch Haskell contenders make their final preparations for Sunday's race. The racing strip will be limited to horses entered in the Haskell between 7:30-7:45 a.m. each day.

The Haskell's scheduled post time is 5:47 p.m. and will be telecast live on NBC. Gates will open early on Haskell Day at 10 a.m., with first race scheduled for noon. Select reserved seats remain for the race and can be purchased by calling 732-571-5563 or visiting www.monmouthpark.com.