Nyquist Wins the 2016 Kentucky Derby - First Step in Triple Crown

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May 7, 20166:52 PM ET

by Colin Dwyer

Rob Carr/Getty

Nyquist, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, crosses the finish line during the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.

Nearly one year since American Pharoah made history, Nyquist has embarked on a star-making turn of his own at Churchill Downs. The thoroughbred has won the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

The colt beat out 19 other competitors over the course of a hectic mile and a quarter, crossing the finish line first.

Jockey Mario Gutierrez earned a patient win with Nyquist, giving the racehorse Danzing Candy plenty of leeway to lead the pack early. Gutierrez kept Nyquist close, though, never dropping much lower than third.

Nyquist pulled ahead in the final stretch and didn't ease up until he definitively captured the Run for the Roses.

The win didn't exactly come as a surprise. By mid-afternoon, the bay colt was pulling down 2-1 odds, cleanly earning honors as the heavy favorite. Nyquist — owned, trained and ridden by the same team that won the 2012 Kentucky Derby — approached this year's race with the confidence of having succeeded at Churchill Downs before.

"There's a quiet confidence in the group that's not flashy," owner Paul Reddam told Rick Howlett of member station WFPL before the race. "But — to speak Californian for a moment — there's a very good vibe in the barn."

Famous for his ice hockey fandom, the Ontario native named Nyquist after a player on his favorite team, forward Gustav Norquist of the Detroit Red Wings. And it's not even the first — or the second, or the third — Red Wings player who has served as namesake for one of Reddam's horses.

But, whatever the pedigree of his on-ice predecessor, Nyquist (the horse, to be clear) has been dominant on the track in his own right. Before the Kentucky Derby, the horse had gone a perfect 7 for 7 in his early races.

Now, make that 8 for 8.

Of course, the conclusion to this year's Derby Day, now in the books, also ushers us to the starting gate of another beloved, decades-old tradition: talk of a potential Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby is just the first jewel in horse racing's highest prize; to win a Triple Crown, Nyquist must now go on to win the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, too.

American Pharoah managed the feat last year — for the first time since 1978. Can Nyquist do the same?

Ladies and gentlemen, let the breathless debates begin.

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Kentucky Derby Betting Odds - The early betting pattern

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Kentucky Derby odds 2016: Nyquist favored, but betting value abounds for May 7 race

By OddsShark on Apr 29, 2016, 11:00a

Nyquist remains the betting favorite for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby, but several other horses are also worth a look next week.

While the undefeated Nyquist remains the early betting favorite for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com, there are 19 other contenders and plenty of betting value to be found as the Run for the Roses approaches.

We have seen betting favorites Orb, California Chrome and American Pharoah get the job done in the last three years, but I'll Have Another (2012) at 15-1 and Animal Kingdom (2011) at 20-1 are recent winners and let's not forget about Mine That Bird and Giacomo both paying over $100 to win in 2009 and 2005, respectively.

Florida Derby (G1) winner Nyquist is the current favorite at +300, but there are plenty of viable options other than backing the betting favorite at the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Exaggerator (+800) and Fountain of Youth (G2) victor Mohaymen (+1000) continue to be the second and third choices on the early Kentucky Derby betting lines.

Once we get beyond the top three it is difficult to separate the next half dozen contenders, and there will be plenty of betting value available come the first Saturday of May. Several contenders coming off victories in key prep races are going to be sent off at generous prices.

Creator won the Arkansas Derby (G1) in his last start, a race American Pharoah used last year as a springboard to sweeping the Triple Crown. The Steve Asmussen trainee is currently at early Kentucky Derby betting odds of +2000.

Outwork won the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct in his last outing, just his fourth career start. Trained by Todd Pletcher, who won the 2010 Kentucky Derby with Super Saver, the colt is at early Kentucky Derby betting odds of +2000 as well.

Brody's Cause stamped his ticket to the Derby with his victory in the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland in his last outing, bouncing back from a disappointing effort as the betting favorite in the Tampa Bay Derby. 

He can be had at +1200 in early Kentucky Derby betting.

Lani will attempt to become the first Japanese runner to win America's most famous race. He earned his way into the field with his victory in the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai and his race odds stand at +3300 at Kentucky Derby betting sites.

Toss in Mo Tom (+1600) who has had terrible trips in his last two starts, Whitmore (+3300) who ran credible without winning in his three prep races at Oaklawn Park, and My Man Sam (+2500) who was a fast closing second in the Blue Grass in his stakes debut, and we have a wide open edition of the two most exciting minutes in sports this year.

Odds to win 2016 Kentucky Derby (5/7/15) per Sportsbook.ag
Nyquist 7/2
Exaggerator 4/1
Mohaymen 7/1
Mor Spirit 7/1
Destin 8/1
Gun Runner 10/1
Creator 12/1
Outwork 12/1
Suddenbreakingnews 14/1

Brodys Cause 15/1
Whitmore 18/1
Danzing Candy 20/1
My Man Sam 20/1
Mo Tom 22/1
Lani 28/1
Shagaf 33/1
Trojan Nation 40/1
Adventist 50/1
Cherry Wine 50/1
Fellowship 50/1
Majesto 50/1
Toms Ready 50/1

Dazzling Gem 55/1
Collected 60/1
Oscar Nominated 60/1
Laoban 70/1
Discreetness 75/1
Star Hill 85/1
Unbridaled Outlaw 85/1
Azar 100/1

Odds Subject to Change - Updated 4.29.16

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