NYQUIST remains unbeaten in eight after an impressive victory in the Kentucky Derby. Only two of those he beat at Churchill Downs take him on again for this second leg of the Triple Crown, the well beaten Japanese horse Lani, and the Derby runner-up Exaggerator. Connections of the latter may well consider they can finish closer to Doug O’Neill’s colt today with a clear run but Nyquist has beaten him four times now. Collected didn’t make the Kentucky Derby but will look to sit just off what is likely to be a fast pace while Todd Pletcher throws Stradivari in at the deep-end after picking-up an allowance race at Keeneland last month.
Cherry Wine (USA) 9-2 (8-11) Rallied lane,missd plc, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Brody's Cause (8-11) at Keeneland 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Uncle Lino (USA) 13-10fav (8-6) Bit off rail,gamely, won at Los Alamitos Race Course 1m stks fst in May beating Rare Candy (8-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Nyquist (USA) 9-4fav (9-0) Patient 3w, driving, won at Churchill Downs 1m 2f stks fst in May beating Exaggerator (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 20 ran.
Awesome Speed (USA) 7-10fav (8-10) Rail-2w,bmp lt,sharp, won at Laurel Park 1m 1f stks gd in Apr beating Governor Malibu (8-10) by shd, 7 ran.
Exaggerator (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Knifed thru 1/4, game, 2nd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Nyquist (9-0) at Churchill Downs 1m 2f stks fst in May.
Lani (USA) 28-1 (9-0) Off slow, forced 8 w, 9th of 20, 10 1/2l behind Nyquist (9-0) at Churchill Downs 1m 2f stks fst in May.
Collected (USA) 11-5 (8-8) Reeled in foe,drew off, won at Keeneland 1m stks fst in Apr beating One More Round (8-6) by 4l, 10 ran.
Laoban (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Unprepared st,faltered, 4th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Brody's Cause (8-11) at Keeneland 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Abiding Star (USA) 3-5fav (8-9) Held off challenge, won at Philadelphia Park 1m stks gd in May beating Discreet Lover (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Fellowship (USA) 13-2 (8-6) 7pth 1/4,bid str,weakn, 4th of 14, 5l behind Sharp Azteca (8-6) at Churchill Downs 1m stks fst in May.
Stradivari (USA) 7-5 (8-6) Took over at will, won at Keeneland 1m 1f fst in Apr beating Pinson (8-11) by shd, 6 ran.