Nyquist on the cusp of more racing history
While we might not have imagined this at the beginning of the year, if Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist wins the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, he will be in line to repeat the Triple Crown of American Pharoah last year.
And Nyquist is unbeaten in eight starts, while American Pharoah was five for six for heading into the Preakness.
When American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes, he became the first to sweep the series since Affirmed in 1978, ending a 37-year drought.
It was the longest stretch between Triple Crowns in the history of the series.
The first went to Sir Barton in 1919, and was followed 11 years later by Gallant Fox in 1930.
He was joined by two others in the 1930’s, Omaha in 1935 and War Admiral in 1937.
The 1940’s had Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946) and Citation (1948).
Racing waited 25 years for the next one, with Secretariat succeeding Citation in 1973.
He was followed by Seattle Slew, in 1977, and Affirmed, in 1978.
Between Affirmed and American Pharoah there were 12 horses that won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but failed to capture the Belmont Stakes.
In my view, the best of this outstanding dozen was Spectacular Bid in 1979, a group that also includes Hall of
Fame horses Alysheba, Sunday Silence and Silver Charm.
In addition to the Derby and Preakness, he won the Hutcheson, Fountain of Youth, Florida Derby, Flamingo, Blue Grass, Marlboro Cup, and Meadowlands Cup in 1979, defeating older horses in the last two. In 1980 he was sensational and unbeatable, winning all nine starts in high class stakes races in which he carried 130 or more pounds on
five occasions. His average margin of victory was just under five lengths, and that included only eight races, because the final start of Spectacular Bid’s career was a walkover in the Woodward Handicap at Belmont Park. At this writing, the main opponent for Nyquist in the Preakness looks like Exaggerator, who finished a rallying second in the Derby. I admire the perseverance of owner Big Chief Racing and trainer Keith Desormeaux when it comes to this most consistent runner. Despite having finished behind Nyquist four times, he has
continued to improve as his career has proceeded.
Exaggerator won the Saratoga Special in his stakes debut last summer, and his six subsequent starts have all come in graded stakes races.
The son of Curlin won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby prior to the Kentucky Derby. Things could get interesting in the Preakness if the weather turns foul.
The current forecast for Pimlico Race Course includes rain on Saturday.
Nyquist has never raced on a wet track, but Exaggerator is a superior performer in such conditions.
His Santa Anita Derby and Delta Jackpot victories came on very wet surfaces. Exaggerator is a son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who also excelled on wet tracks.
Curlin won the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Jockey Club Gold Cup on sloppy tracks.
If you’re searching for another omen, Curlin won the Preakness Stakes in 2007.