Nyquist Sharp in San Vicente Work

Sunday, February 7, 2016 | 3:02 pm

Updated: February 7, 2016 at 7:45 pm

Champion two-year-old male of 2015 Nyquist worked five furlongs on Santa Anita's pristine main track at 10:15 Sunday morning Feb. 7, 2016 in 59.38, his final major breeze for his three-year-old debut a week from Monday, Feb. 15, in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs at the Arcadia CA oval. Jockey Mario Gutierrez was in the irons for the work. ©Benoit PHoto

Reddam Racing's Nyquist (Uncle Mo) had his final major work ahead of his sophomore debut in next Monday's GII San Vicente S., going five furlongs in :59.38 at Santa Anita Sunday. Working in company with stablemate Bad Read Sanchez (Warrior's Reward), the undefeated juvenile champion recorded fractional times of :23.65 and :47.16 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 flat. Bad Read Sanchez, four lengths back at the wire, was given a five-furlong work time of 1:00.20.

“That's exactly what we wanted to see,” trainer Doug O'Neill said. “He's had a bunch of stamina workouts, so we just wanted a sharp drill. He worked unbelievably. Mario [Gutierrez] was really happy with it, so we're happy.”

Off since capping his championship season with a win in the Oct. 31 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Nyquist worked six furlongs Jan. 30 in 1:16.20 and Jan. 24 in 1:15.60.

“He normally goes by himself,” O'Neill added. “I like letting him put his feet wherever he wants to put them and he's a horse that will work fine on his own. We put him in company today just to try and put competition back on his mind.”

The three-time Grade I winner continues to impress O'Neill.

“He's got so much class, so much raw ability,” the trainer said. “It's hard to believe that he's any more mature than last year, but he's doing everything right and thriving on training; he's doing super.”