[Kasept]

WEDNESDAY CLOCKER: Nyquist spends busy morning at the Downs
By Mike Welsch

Nyquist, who'll put his unblemished record on the line as the favorite in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, had a busy morning on Wednesday, first jogging then visiting the paddock and schooling in the starting gate before returning to the barn. Rumors have swirled about Nyquist's soundness considering the training schedule Doug O'Neill has employed bringing his horse into the race in comparison to the way I'll Have Another prepared for his Derby victory four years ago, with a steady series of strong open gallops upon his arrival at Churchill Downs.

But don't forget, I'll Have Another never made it to the Belmont that year, which may have something to do with the way Nyquist is coming up to the race, off a series of jogs and easier gallops. It is also the same method O'Neill employed prior to Nyquist's impressive victory in the Florida Derby, when he simply jogged twice and galloped just once upon arriving at Gulfstream Park. After watching Nyquist gallop yesterday and train today, he sure appears to be a sound and very happy horse at this point, with O'Neill just looking to maintain the form that has produced seven victories in as many starts from the reigning Juvenile champ.