Nyquist Shooting for Breeders' Cup Classic

Despite reservations expressed by owner J. Paul Reddam after what he called "the worst performance of (Nyquist's) life" in the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), the Uncle Mo   colt will target the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Trainer Doug O'Neill said Oct. 6 that the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner will take on the likes of California Chrome   and Arrogate, as long as the colt remains healthy.

"He's doing good," O'Neill said of Nyquist, who will likely get three weekly timed workouts at Santa Anita Park beginning next week in preparation for the 1 1/4-mile Classic. "If everything stays good, we're going to the Classic."

Reddam wasn't as sure in the Pennsylvania Derby aftermath Sept. 24, following Nyquist's sixth-place finish, but re-evaluated the situation and gave the blessing to O'Neill to go forward.

"They're not machines," O'Neill said. "He was doing great going into it and didn't seem to care for the track, but no excuses. He came out of it great."

The champion 2-year-old male of 2015 has lost his past three races, but they've all been outside of his home base in Southern California. O'Neill hopes his home track, where he is undefeated in three starts, again will bring out the best in Nyquist.

"He's undefeated here at Santa Anita, so we want to keep that going," O'Neill said. "In our own back yard, it's a huge advantage. He'll run on anything, but the Pennsylvania Derby was weird. He didn't run his best race, but we're not going to over-analyze it. We're going to put a line through it and shoot for Nov. 5."