Reddam Racing's undefeated champion Nyquist (Uncle Mo) returned to the track Wednesday morning for the first time since his GI Kentucky Derby victory Saturday, jogging once around the Pimlico surface accompanied by his pony (video).
“Nyquist jogged great this morning,” said trainer Doug O'Neill's assistant Jack Sisterson, who was aboard the stable pony escorting Nyquist for his morning jog. “He continues to put big smiles on all of the guys' faces in the barn.”
Nyquist, who arrived at Pimlico Monday to prep for the May 21 GI Preakness S., went to the track after the 8:30 a.m. renovation break with Amir Cedeno subbing in for regular exercise rider Jonny Garcia. Garcia will reunite with the bay Thursday for a twice-around jog.
“We just wanted to see him move efficiently, and he did everything and more that we wanted to see this morning,” Sisterson said. “It's like our own little training center. It's great. It's quiet out there. Our horses out there had their ears pricked taking it all in. It was really nice out there.”
Nyquist is following a similar training regimen to Reddam and O'Neill's 2012 Derby/Preakness winner I'll Have Another (Flower Alley), but with some adjustments.
“It's great having the experience of having the success with I'll Have Another,” Sisterson commented. “It just makes you wake up every morning wanting it that much more. We've slightly changed a few things with Nyquist's training regime. We galloped I'll Have Another every day, where with Nyquist we jog him one day and gallop him the other day.”
Reddam's GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Land Over Sea (Bellamy Road) followed Nyquist onto the track Wednesday morning.
“She did great also,” Sisterson said. “We're very pleased with the way she came out of the Oaks.”
In other Derby/Preakness news, Derby third-place finisher Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) also made his return to the track Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.
“I am very happy with how he went this morning,” remarked trainer Steve Asmussen, who will have six horses for stakes on Preakness weekend, but has not yet made a decision on Gun Runner's next start.
Also back on the track Wednesday were Derby seventh-place finisher Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway) and GIII Pat Day Mile fourth Fellowship (Awesome of Course), who ships to Pimlico Monday with an eye on the Preakness.
Dazzling Gem (Misremembered), last seen finishing fourth in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 16, did not have enough points to make it in to the Derby field, but will head to Baltimore Wednesday. The Steve Landers Racing colorbearer will run in either the Preakness or the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton S. for sophomores on the undercard.
“I want to see who is in the Preakness and what the owners want to do,” trainer Brad Cox offered.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
