LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nyquist kept his perfect record intact, winning the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday to prolong the buzz that American Pharoah created a year ago when he won the first Triple Crown in 37 years.
Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, who also won the Derby with I'll Have Another in 2012, Nyquist pushed his record to 8-0.
Despite being the Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, the 2-year-old champion and the 3-1 morning-line favorite, Nyquist has had to work to prove himself to horse racing fans who are unsure if he is worthy of following in Pharoah's footsteps. So far, he has passed every test.
Lured by a $1 million bonus from the auction company Fasig-Tipton as a graduate of its Florida 2-year-old in-training sale, Nyquist's connections took him from his home base of California to face the previously undefeated Mohaymen last month in the $1 million Florida Derby — an almost unheard-of meeting of top 3-year-olds ahead of the Kentucky Derby. Nyquist won with ease as Mohaymen, who drew the No. 14 post for the Kentucky Derby and was listed at odds of 10-1, was pushed wide throughout and never found his footing on the wet track at Gulfstream Park, finishing fourth.
The next leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, will be run May 21. Nyquist's trainer, Doug O'Neill, and owner, Paul Reddam, are familiar with the hubbub surrounding the quest for a Triple Crown, having campaigned I'll Have Another. They are also familiar with the heartbreak that often strikes: I'll Have Another, who also won the Preakness Stakes, was scratched a day ahead of the Belmont Stakes with a tendon injury.
Still, that memory did not prevent them from celebrating heartily when Nyquist blew past the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs, proving himself once more.