ARCADIA, Calif. (June 23, 2016)—Eclipse Champion Nyquist, who has been idle since running third in the Preakness Stakes May 21 and who was undefeated in eight career starts following his victory in the Kentucky Derby May 7, will work five furlongs prior to this Saturday’s first race, according to trainer Doug O’Neill. With first post time at 1:30 p.m., Nyquist is scheduled to come onto Santa Anita’s main track at approximately 12:45 p.m.
“It’s Gold Cup Day at Santa Anita and Paul (Reddam, owner) feels like this is a great opportunity to share Nyquist with all of our fans and to help promote the sport,” said O’Neill. “The horse is doing tremendous. He worked a half mile last Friday and the timing for this work is perfect. Mario (regular rider, Gutierrez) is going to breeze him and we’ll let him gallop out an extra eighth.”
(Last Friday’s half mile work, his first since the Preakness, was timed in 48.60, breezing, by Santa Anita clockers).
Nyquist, whose ultimate objective this year is the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 5, and who is currently being pointed to any number of races, primarily back east, will come through Santa Anita’s Paddock Gardens prior to coming on to the main track via the tunnel just east of the Winner’s Circle.
A Kentucky-bred colt by Uncle Mo, out of the Forestry mare Seeking Gabrielle, Nyuist has amassed earnings of $5,119,200. In addition to the Kentucky Derby, his Grade I wins include the Florida Derby, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, FrontRunner Stakes and Del Mar Futurity.
With Santa Anita’s admission gates opening at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, the public will have ready access to last year’s Eclipse Champion Juvenile Male.
The Grade I, $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita and the Grade I, $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes will highlight a nine-race card on Saturday. For more information, or to make seating and dining reservations, please visit santaanita.com.
Santa Anita Park
