Nyquist remains the horse to beat to beat for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, but the unbeaten colt should see some stiff competition for thoroughbred racing's signature race.
Nyquist heads into the Run for the Roses on Saturday at Churchill Downs as the early 3-1 favorite in a full field of 20 horses.
Deservedly so, based on a resume that includes being a champion at age two, victories at four different tracks in the East and West, and an ability to overcome all sorts of obstacles in his races.
Still, Nyquist isn't the buzziest of horses. Heck, even his owner J. Paul Reddam said that as a fan he'd bet against his horse. Handicappers and racing fans haven't been talking up the bay colt named for Detroit Red Wings player Gustav Nyquist (Reddam is a fan) either.
None of the doubt deters Doug O'Neill, who trains Nyquist.
"I'm optimistic we're going to win," he said. "He's definitely shown us that he's going to run a big race."
O'Neill reached the Derby winner's circle in 2012 with I'll Have Another, who went on to win the Preakness Stakes. The colt was scratched the day before the Belmont Stakes because of a career-ending tendon injury, dashing the sport's hope of a Triple Crown winner.
Here's what you need to know:
What: 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby
Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky.
When: May 7, 2016
Who: Grade 1 stakes race for 3-year-olds
Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Post time: 6:34 p.m. (Eastern)
TV coverage:
Kentucky Derby undercard: 12-4 p.m, NBC
Kentucky Derby coverage: 4-7 p.m., NBC
Livestream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Record: Secretariat, 1973, 1:59.2
Last year: N.J.-owned American Pharoah won in 2:03.2, on his way to a Triple Crown championship.
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