Nyquist Puts in 'Strong' FL Derby Drill
Updated: March 25, 2016 at 7:27 pm
Undefeated champion Nyquist (Uncle Mo) put in his final work for the Apr. 2 GI Florida Derby Friday morning at Santa Anita, covering five furlongs in 1:03 flat (56/72). Working in company with Pay the Fine (Square Eddie), the Reddam Racing runner clocked his last half-mile in :49.60 under exercise rider Jonny Garcia.
“It was a good drill,” trainer Doug O'Neill said. “Nyquist finished up really strong and I'm very optimistic about next week. He'll walk tomorrow, track Sunday, and fly out on Monday. That's the plan. I'll be leaving the same day.”
Winner of the GI Del Mar Futurity, GI FrontRunner S. and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile last term, Nyquist kicked off his sophomore campaign with an impressive victory in the seven-panel GII San Vicente S. at Santa Anita Feb. 15. The bay will face off with unbeaten early GI Kentucky Derby favorite Mohaymen (Tapit) in Florida.