Nyquist Begins Work for Pennsylvania Derby

After noticing Reddam Racing's Nyquist was getting a little skinny at Del Mar, trainer Doug O'Neill decided to send the Uncle Mo   colt north on Interstate 5 to train at the much more relaxed San Luis Rey Training Center for a while to prepare for his next start in the Sept. 25 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).

The Bonsall, Calif., training track has suited Nyquist well, according to O'Neill, and the colt has already put on 50 pounds since relocating there. He also put in his first work following a fourth-place run in the Betfair.com Haskell Invitational (gr. I), when he ran a mile in 1:45 4/5 at San Luis Rey Aug. 27 under regular exercise rider Jonny Garcia.

"He was strong out there, and came back and cooled out great," O'Neill said after the drill. "We're just getting him away from the racing. We love Del Mar, but with the five days of racing each week, the hustle is on. There's a lot of action. Here, it's much more relaxed."

The trainer said the 2016 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner and champion 2-year-old male of 2015 will get three more works into him before shipping to Parx Racing for the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby. And for the time being, he'll stay at San Luis Rey, which sits about 30 miles north of Del Mar and about 100 miles south of Santa Anita Park. O'Neill has a string of seven horses at the training track.

"He was going through a growth spurt—getting a little taller," O'Neill said. "He was eating well and his energy level was good, but he was getting a little thin. We tried out San Luis Rey and couldn't be happier.

"He's had a pretty long campaign, so he deserves some time away to relax a little."

Back at Del Mar, Hronis Racing's 2015 champion 3-year-old filly Stellar Wind logged another work in preparation for the Oct. 1 Zenyatta Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita. The Curlin   filly covered a half-mile in :48 3/5 under the watchful eye of trainer John Sadler. It was her second workout since upset victory over Beholder in the July 30 Clement L. Hirsch (gr. I).

Another notable workout at Del Mar was Sorrento (gr. II) winner Champagne Room, who covered a half-mile in :46 1/5, the fastest of 62 moves at the distance Saturday. The Broken Vow   filly trained by Peter Eurton is expected to be one of the favorites in a loaded Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) Sept. 3.