Derby Dozen: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champ Nyquist refuses to yield

Mohaymen has the divisional buzz and champion filly Songbird has many convinced she is the best 3-year-old in training, period. But until someone gets a nose down in front of juvenile champion Nyquist, trainer Doug O’Neill is happy to let the hype mingle over others so long as his charge keeps on keeping on.

With five wins including four graded stakes victories already on his resume, unbeaten Nyquist has ample foundation and has answered the bell every time an in-race challenge has arisen.

He has speed that can be harnessed by jockey Mario Gutierrez, as he did in taking the Grade I Del Mar Futurity. When rival Swipe looked him in the eye during the stretch of the Grade I FrontRunner, Nyquist refused to yield and fought back to prevail.

The son of Uncle Mo could have backed out of the running in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile when he was bumped at the start and then raced wide the entire 1 1/16 miles. Instead, he kept digging away to fend off Swipe yet again — and showed he could handle shipping outside of California to boot.

“He’s got so much class, so much raw ability,” O’Neill said.

Owner: Reddam Racing LLC

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Breeder: Summerhill Farm

Bloodline: Bay colt by Uncle Mo-Seeking Gabrielle, by Forestry

Career record: Five starts, 5-0-0, $1,613,600

Last start: Won Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Oct. 31

Next start: Grade II San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 15

Potential trouble: Has some distance questions in his pedigree and will only have one two-turn prep race in advance of the Kentucky Derby.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 10:14 PM with the headline "Derby Dozen: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champ Nyquist refuses to yield."