Undefeated Nyquist, a leading Kentucky Derby contender, makes his 3-year-old debut in the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita on Monday, capping a holiday weekend of four Kentucky Derby prep races.
"We're pumped," trainer Doug O'Neill said Thursday.
Nyquist has won all five of his races, and comes into the 7-furlong San Vicente as a leading Derby contender. The race is not among the 35 designated preps carrying points that determine the field for the Derby, but Nyquist currently leads the pack with 30 points.
Saturday's El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields near San Francisco and Monday's Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park are the two scoring preps. The Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs is the other non-scoring prep Saturday.
Exaggerator, winner of the Delta Downs Jackpot, is set for his 3-year-old debut in the San Vicente.
Nyquist will be making his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland last October and being voted 2-year-old male champion.
"The bottom line is you can't say too much until he runs the race," O'Neill said. "Hopefully, he runs big."
Nyquist has the same jockey-trainer-owner team (O'Neill, jockey Mario Gutierrez and owner J. Paul Reddam) as I'll Have Another, winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Exaggerator, trained by Keith Desormeaux and ridden by his brother, Kent, ran fourth in the BC Juvenile before winning at Delta Downs three weeks later.
A look at this weekend's other Derby-related races:
SAM F. DAVIS STAKES
A field of seven is lined up today for this nonscoring race at Tampa Bay Downs at 1 1/16 miles. The morning-line favorites are Destin at 3-1 and Gettysburg at 5-2, both trained by Todd Pletcher. Gettysburg, with Javier Castellano riding, is coming off a maiden victory last month at Gulfstream Park. Also entered are Morning Fire, Rafting, Whatawonderflworld, Awesome Slate and No More Chillin.
EL CAMINO REAL DERBY
O'Neill could have himself another Derby prospect if 2-1 favorite Frank Conversation comes through in the 1 1/8-mile El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate. "If he wins, he will definitely be pointed toward the Kentucky Derby," O'Neill said.
A field of 14 horses is entered, including 7-2 second choice Kasseopia and 9-2 third choice Mr. Coker.
Sports on 02/13/2016