Is Nyquist the Next Great American Racehorse?

Nyquist wins the Best Pal Stakes for trainer Doug O'Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam with jockey Mario Gutierrez in the irons. — Benoit Photos

With the 2015 racing season behind us, it’s time to take a look at who the likely contenders are to potentially win the Triple Crown in 2016. Such an accomplishment will be the first back-to-back win since 1977-78 when Seattle Slew and Affirmed respectively won the crown jewel horse races (i.e. Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes).

Although there are several potential heirs to American Pharoah, the 2015 Secretariat Vox Populi Award winner, one 2-year-old stands out as the next great American racehorse. Nyquist, the winner of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile race at Keeneland racetrack, is projected as the odds on favorite to win the next Kentucky Derby. No horse has won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile then gone on to win the Kentucky Derby since Street Sense accomplished the feat in 2006-07. Here is a look at the early career of Nyquist, as well as a look at his chances at the Derby and becoming the next great American racehorse.

     The Early Career of Nyquist

Nyquist, born in 2013, is the son of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo. In his short time racing, Nyquist has racked up five consecutive first place wins in five starts. These wins, in addition to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, include the Del Mar Futurity-G1, FrontRunner Stakes-G1 and Best Pal Stakes-G2. Nyquist’s ties to horse racing greatness is also linked to another horse owned by Paul Reddam, 2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another.

The consistent wins of the 2-year old arned Nyquist the Eclipse Award for 2-year-old males. This is the same award his dad Uncle Mo won in 2010, making him a chip off the racing block. Nyquist is trained by Doug O’Neill, who garnered his 2,000th career win at Del Mar in November 2015. Named after NHL’s Detroit Red Wing Right Wing Gustav Nyquist, this thoroughbred has been predestined for greatness.

     How Nyquist Stacks Up Against the Field

Derby contenders such as Swipe and Brody’s Cause have finished behind Nyquist in the five starts he made in 2015, with Swipe placing in second in the last four races against Nyquist. These performances by Nyquist bodes well for his prospects as the odds on favorite heading into the upcoming Derby and other Triple Crown races. Nyquist’s ability to overcome a slow start at the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile speaks to both his tenacity and ability to stay on task toward the ultimate goal of winning the Kentucky Derby and possible Triple Crown.

     Nyquist’s Chances at the 2016 Kentucky Derby

Nyquist chances appear to be the best among the potential contenders for the 2016 Kentucky Derby according to the (way too) early odds. His pedigree is that of championship stock and with his impressive 2015 showings, he is being considered strongly as the one candidate who not only may be able to step into American Pharoah’s shoes but repeat the feat of Affirmed in 1978 by becoming the second horse to follow a Triple Crown winner with a win of his own. Odds place Nyquist at a 20:1 favorite to win the Derby, followed by Greenpointcrusader at 25:1, Moyhamen at 30:1 and Brody’s Cause at 35:1.