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In 2012, Mario Gutierrez piloted the O'Neill-trained I'll
Have Another to Derby glory and the same jockey will be back in
the saddle on Saturday when the unbeaten Nyquist breaks from the
13th post in a 20-runner field at Churchill Downs.
"It has allowed me to not be overwhelmed this time," O'Neill
said about the benefit of previous success at Churchill Downs in
Louisville. "We found out that time that we had success doing
what we'd been doing all along. It worked.
"So we're just doing that again - same patterns, same style. We
just want to stay on course. That's what's going to work. We
know that now."
Nyquist, who has won seven times at four different tracks, was
rated the 3-1 early favorite and his connections were delighted
with his 13th gate draw after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile
in October the last time he carried that number.
"It's good, lucky 13," said Nyquist's owner, Canadian
businessman J. Paul Reddam. "It's been our lucky number."
Second choice in the first leg of U.S. thoroughbred racing's
Triple Crown is Exaggerator, an 8-1 shot starting from the 11th
post position, with Creator, Gun Runner and Mohaymen joint third
picks at 10-1.
CHANGED STRATEGY
However, the strategy for Saturday's 1-1/4 mile race could
change markedly after Danzing Candy, winner of the San Felipe at
Santa Anita, was drawn in the 20th gate.
Danzing Candy and Outwork, who will start from the 15th hole,
were widely considered to be the likely pacesetters in
Saturday's opening leg of the Triple Crown for three year olds,
but they will now need to come from wide out to get the lead.
O'Neill had initially been hoping that Nyquist would start
outside Danzing Candy and Outwork so that jockey Gutierrez could
closely monitor the early going, but he may now want Nyquist to
set the pace.
"I wouldn't mind that at all," said the 47-year-old O'Neill. "I
think Nyquist has shown the versatility to win on the lead and
from off the pace, so we've got options, I think."
Second choice Exaggerator, coming off an impressive win over a
sloppy track in last month's Santa Anita Derby, will have Kent
Desormeaux on board and the colt's connections were on cloud
nine.
"You dream about this," said Matt Bryan, one of Exaggerator's
owners. "It is a blessing. If you're in the horse business, this
is where you want to be.
"Just to be in the Derby is great, and then to have a horse that
has a real chance to win, that is so special."
Though conditions at Churchill Downs were wet and cold earlier
this week, temperatures are forecast to be in the low 80s (28
Celsius) under sunny skies for the 142nd Derby.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by
Larry Fine)
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