Nyquist Arrives at Gulfstream Park for Saturday's G1 Florida Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Reddam Racing’s undefeated champion Nyquist completed his cross-country trip late Tuesday afternoon to Gulfstream Park, where he is scheduled to make his next start in Saturday’s $1 million xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1).

Trained by Doug O’Neill, the sophomore son of Uncle Mo left California Tuesday morning and set foot on the Gulfstream backstretch at 5:35 p.m. after traveling through the traffic and thunderstorms of South Florida.

O’Neill gave Nyquist several turns around the shedrow before the multiple Grade 1 winner settled into his stall.

“He certainly didn’t lose any energy,” O’Neill said. “It’s an honor walking a champ like him.”

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Four of Nyquist’s five wins last year came in stakes capped by the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Oct. 31 which sealed his Eclipse Award as 2-year-old male champion. He kicked off his 3-year-old campaign by winning the San Vicente (G2) Feb. 15 at Santa Anita, his sixth consecutive victory.

In the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, Nyquist is facing a prospective field of as many as 10 challengers led by Shadwell Stable’s undefeated multiple Grade 2 winner Mohaymen, whose perfect record includes the Holy Bull (G2) and Fountain of Youth (G2) earlier this winter at Gulfstream.

“His energy looks great,” O’Neill said. “It looks like we really got lucky with the weather. It was nice and cool on the van ride, so we’re happy.”

O’Neill said Nyquist will get his first look at Gulfstream’s main track at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, when entries will be taken and post positions drawn.