David M. Johnson says:
Before I get into Nyquist’s considerable abilities, I have to mention the success Kentucky Derby winners have had at the Preakness in recent years. As columnist Jeff Scott mentions elsewhere in this edition, 10 of the last 19 Derby winners went on to win in Baltimore. In fact, American Pharoah, California Chrome and I’ll Have Another have each done it within the past four years. That impressive run probably has just as much to do with the quality of the fields as it does with the talent of the Derby winners. This year, for example, only three other Derby entrants — from a collection of the 20 best 3-year-old males in the country — were nominated. Those horses are Derby runner-up Exaggerator, third place Gun Runner and ninth place Lani. It would not be a surprise to see more of that talented Derby crop re-appear for the Belmont.
For now, Nyquist will have to prove himself again against the horses next to him. Those looking for a horse to beat him might say Exaggerator would have made things interesting if the Derby was another 1/16 of a mile. Others might say Gun Runner — who led after 3/4 of a mile in the Derby — has the best shot. Or Laoban — another of Uncle Mo’s successful 3-year-old crop — a runner-up in the Gotham Stakes in March, and Nyquist’s half brother, could be a factor.
I don’t see Nyquist losing, however. He’s traversed the country multiple times and answered every time Gutierrez has asked. O’Neill has been in this position before and has the Derby champ looking ready to run again.
Nyquist has beaten Exaggerator four times already. What’s one more before heading to NY?
DJ Eberle says:
Can anyone stop Nyquist?
Well, I guess I’m here to provide that answer, right?
While Nyquist might not be the dominant horse that American Pharoah was during his run for the Triple Crown, the field Nyquist has been up against is significantly weaker. Just look at the field in the Preakness Stakes this weekend. As my colleague David Johnson pointed out, only two Kentucky Derby runners — Exaggerator and Lani — are locks for the second leg of the Triple Crown, and Gun Runner has not been ruled out from running.
However, out of this new bunch there aren’t too many horses that whet my appetite.
Bob Baffert’s Collect is an interesting horse. The three-year-old has career record of 4-1-0 in six starts and has three victories in four races this year. Uncle Lino also piques my intrest, as a stakes winning horse that has finished outside of the top three just once in seven career starts.
The newcomer that truly has my attention, and also Nyquist’s trainer Doug O’Neill, is Todd Pletcher’s Stradivari. The John Velazquez-ridden colt has won two of his three career starts, including his lone 2016 start — a 14-½-length gallop in Keenland on April 17.
And of course there’s Exaggerator, but he’s lost to Nyquist in all four tries. Considering the Preakness is shorter than the Kentucky Derby, it might be even harder. Lani is interesting from the standpoint that if Nyquist finds himself in the gate next to the Yutaka Take-ridden horse, he could be in trouble. Lani is known for stirring the pot pre-race.
To me, the choice is easy. Nyquist sets himself up for a shot at the Triple Crown.
Sound Offs Anonymous caller:
I was surprised and upset that The Saratogian after all these years did away with the Pink Sheet on Derby Day. I just can’t believe you did that. (Editor’s note: Fear not! The Pink Sheet will return for opening day of the Saratoga meet as always.) Do you think Nyquist can continue his excellent form? Let us know by dialing our Sports Sound-Off hotline, at 518889-YELL(9355). Make sure to chat the full discussion by listening to our Face-Off podcast at www.saratogian.com and www.troyrecord.com or on with podcast app on your mobile device. On Monday, May 30th we’ll be publishing a special memorial page in memory of those who were in the military, family members, and anyone whose memory you would like to honor. To have your loved one included, simply fill out & email, bring in or mail to us.” 1/2/30 - 1/18/07 Rest In Peace last week. Scheduled to join Nyquist in the starting gate are the 2-3-9 finishers from the Derby (Exaggerator, Gun Runner and Lani); dual Grade 3 winner Collected; and a half-dozen horses who have yet to win a graded stakes. The latter group includes Stradivari, whose 14½ -length romp in a 1 1/8-mile allowance last month has attracted the attention of those looking for a possible upsetter. Stradivari will be trying to win the Preakness in just his fourth career start.
The Preakness has been short on surprises in recent years. Ten of the last 19 runnings were won by horses who also won the Derby, and three others were also won by post-time favorites. Only three horses have won at double-digit odds during this span, and in subsequent starts two of them (Bernardini and Shackleford) proved their Preakness scores were not flukes. The biggest upset occurred three years ago when Oxbow, under a wily ride from Gary Stevens, went gate to wire at 15-1. The winning time of 1:57.54 was the slowest in 52 years.
The most likely scenario for an upset this year would be for Nyquist to be drawn into an early speed duel, thus leaving himself vulnerable to a late run from Exaggerator. So far Nyquist has successfully dealt with any and all challenges, wherever they’ve occurred in the race. Looking over the prospective Preakness field, there’s no reason to think Saturday will be any different.
Beholder returns at 6
Little noticed in the excitement over Nyquist’s Derby victory was the return to the races of Beholder the following day at Santa Anita. The threetime champion, a certain future Hall of Famer, scarcely broke a sweat in dispatching five overmatched rivals in the Grade 3 Adoration Stakes. Owner B. Wayne Hughes said the goal is to run the 6-year-old mare in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race she missed last year because of a fever.
Among Beholder’s accomplishments is having won at least one graded stakes for five consecutive years. This feat has been equaled by only eight other thoroughbreds over the past two decades: Sir Bear, Better Talk Now, Court Vision, Rahystrada, Game On Dude, Wise Dan, Jeranimo and Stephanie’s Kitten.
Affirmed Success, who has resided at Old Friends in Kentucky since 2007, did this group one better. The versatile gelding, who didn’t win his first graded race until the age of four, won at least one every year through his 9-yearold campaign, giving him six straight years of graded success. Not even Forego and John Henry could match that achievement. (It should be noted, however, that John Henry won 25 graded stakes over all, Forego 24 and Affirmed Success 8.)
Jeff Scott writes about horse racing Tuesday in The Saratogian. He may be reached at utahpine1@aol. com.