By Bill Finley
Trainer Doug O'Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam got down to business Wednesday to discuss where Nyquist (Uncle Mo) will run next, but their only decision was to make no decision. The options for the GI Kentucky Derby hero remain the GI Pacific Classic Aug. 20, the GI Betfair.com Haskell Invitational S. July 31 and an appearance in Saratoga, home of the GII Jim Dandy S. July 30 and the GI Travers S. Aug. 27.
“What it came down to was that this is something right now where we don't need to make a deadline,” Reddam said. “I know everyone is interested where he is going to run next, but it's not going to matter if we take two more weeks or so to make a decision. When we chatted [Wednesday] morning the thought was let's not make a big pronouncement that will paint us into a corner.”
Reddam discussed the pros and cons of two options, the Pacific Classic at the Haskell.
“All things being equal, we'd look to stay home [at Del Mar],” he said. “But that option has its perils, too. You don't necessarily want to face older horses before you have to. As for the Haskell, there's no reason not to run in it. Nobody doesn't like Monmouth Park. Another thing we will consider is how many starts we want to have before the [GI] Breeders' Cup Classic. That will enter into our thinking.”
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