Haskell: Derby winner Nyquist 6-5 favorite over Exaggerator

RICHARD ROSENBLATT

All set to return to the races, Nyquist will take on five challengers in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in his first start since his only loss in the Preakness more than two months ago.

The Kentucky Derby winner is the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Sunday’s 1 1/8-mile Haskell over a field that includes Exaggerator, who ended Nyquist’s 8-0 record in the second leg of the Triple Crown.

“We’re coming into the race with a lot of optimism,” Nyquist’s trainer Doug O’Neill said at Thursday’s post-position draw at the track in Oceanport, N.J. “Hopefully, he brings one of his better races because he will need that to win.”

Nyquist breaks from the inside No. 1 post under Mario Gutierrez, while Exaggerator is the 5-2 second choice and leaves from the No. 6 post under Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux.

“The far outside post is perfect for my horse,” trainer Keith Desormeaux, Kent’s brother, said. “He’s an off-the-pace style runner. The inside runners can shoot away from there, go to the front, and he can watch all of the goings on from the outside and take back and make his run when he’s ready.”

Nyquist and Exaggerator are meeting for the sixth time. Nyquist won the first four, including