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 Last Chance - Here are the Expert Picks

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Louisville Courier-Journal

2016 Kentucky Derby expert picks

Jonathan Lintner, The Courier-Journal2:15 p.m. EDT May 6, 2016

The Courier-Journal collected quick Kentucky Derby 142 picks from our staffers as well as voters in The C-J's weekly top 20 poll that have followed the Triple Crown trail from its start.

With little consensus among handicappers about this year's field, best of luck at the betting window.

Dan Wolken, USA TODAY SPORTS

Winner: #16 Shagaf

On the board: #15 Outwork, #2 Suddenbreakingnews

Longshot I like: #18 Majesto

Comment: Nobody has impressed me more in the morning than Shagaf, who is well-bred and talented but lightly raced. I’ll excuse his flat Wood Memorial based on the muddy track and some traffic trouble because the physical signs tell me he’s sitting on his best race.

Frank Angst, The Blood-Horse

Winner: #15 Outwork

On the board: #5 Gun Runner, #13 Nyquist

Longshot I like: #4 Mo Tom

Comment: Considering the track conditions, Outwork ran a very impressive race to win the Wood Memorial and I think his early speed will help him in this year’s Derby, which is not deep with early runners.

Gabby Gaudet, Gulfstream Park/Pimlico

Winner: #14 Mohaymen

On the board: #9 Destin, #13 Nyquist, #5 Gun Runner

Longshot I like: #4 Mo Tom

Comment: Mohaymen's Florida Derby was too bad to be true. Maybe it was because he chased a talented/fresh horse five-wide on a off track? There's a reason why he was once the Derby favorite, and I look for a rebound.

Jeff Greer, The Courier-Journal

Winner: #10 Whitmore

On the board: #11 Exaggerator, #13 Nyquist

Longshot I like: #12 Tom's Ready

Comment: Picking Whitmore with the most scientifically-proven method out there: You pet it, you bet it.

Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal

Winner: #11 Exaggerator

On the board: #13 Nyquist, #12 Tom's Ready

Longshot I like: #8 Lani

Comment: I've only picked the Derby winner once, so anyone who takes these picks to heart is making a poor life choice.

Trixie Hammer, LadyAndTheTrack.com

Winner: #3 Creator

On the board: #15 Outwork, #14 Mohaymen

Longshot I like: #17 Mor Spirit

Comment: There are bigger longshots than Mor Spirit, but I'll take the "anteater" for my fun win bet.

Joe Kristufek, Churchill Downs

Winner: #9 Destin

On the board: #13 Nyquist, #14 Mohaymen, #15 Outwork

Longshot I like: #2 Suddenbreakingnews

Comment: With nine committed closers in the field and only a handful of forward types, I truly expect the early Derby tempo to be moderate.

Jonathan Lintner, The Courier-Journal

Winner: #19 Brody's Cause

On the board: #13 Nyquist, #5 Gun Runner

Longshot I like: #20 Danzing Candy

Comment: If the Blue Grass winner pushes the button on the back stretch, he could get there even with an outside post position.

Marty McGee, Daily Racing Form

Winner: #11 Exaggerator

On the board: #3 Creator, #19 Brody's Cause

Longshot I like: #16 Shagaf

Comment: The Brothers Desormeaux have come a long way since they teamed together with Yazoo at Acadiana Downs.

Laffit Pincay, NBC Sports

Winner: #15 Outwork

On the board: #13 Nyquist, #10 Whitmore

Longshot I like: #20 Danzing Candy

Comment: Outwork will avenge his sire Uncle Mo's Derby disappointment.

Mary Rampellini, Daily Racing Form

Winner: #13 Nyquist

On the Board: #11 Exaggerator, #14 Mohaymen

Longshot I Like: #2 Suddenbreakingnews

Comment: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. The champion Nyquist will be getting it from this corner as a four-time Grade 1 winner whose talent, tactical speed and determination has carried him to wins at distances ranging from five furlongs to a mile-and-an-eighth.

Paul Rolfes, The Courier-Journal

Winner: #13 Nyquist

On the board: #14 Mohaymen, #19 Brody's Cause

Longshot I like: #5 Gun Runner

Comment: There are 20 good, potentially great, 3-year-olds in the field, with 19 out to prove Nyquist isn’t another American Pharoah. Trainer Steve Asmussen’s stable might deliver a Derby winner – if not Gun Runner then Creator.

Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal

Winner: #13 Nyquist

On the board: #5 Gun Runner, #16 Shagaf

Longshot I like: #12 Tom's Ready

Comment: Hard to pick favorite to win a fourth straight Derby; harder to find a better horse.

Hank Wesch, Del Mar

Winner: #13 Nyquist

On the board: #14 Mohaymen, #2 Suddenbreakingnews

Longshot I like: #4 Mo Tom

Comment: Good break from good post + high cruising speed + heart to fight last quarter = Roses.

Jon White, Santa Anita Park

Winner: #13 Nyquist

On the board: #11 Exaggerator, #8 Lani

Longshot I like: #16 Shagaf

Comment: I'll go with undefeated Nyquist in what shapes up as a fascinating Derby, though I did have more confidence in American Pharoah last year and I would not be surprised if there is an upset this year.

Tim Wilkin, Albany Times-Union

Winner: #14 Mohaymen

On the board: #17 Mor Spirit, #19 Brody’s Cause

Longshot I like: #15 Outwork

Comment: Mohaymen reclaims top spot after Florida Derby flop, and at a price, too.

Alicia Wincze Hughes, Lexington Herald-Leader

Winner: #13 Nyquist

On the board: #9 Destin, #19 Brody's Cause

Longshot I like: #18 Majesto

Comment: Nyquist has already beaten most of the major contenders and he is versatile enough to make his own luck regardless of trip and/or pace scenario.

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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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Kentucky Derby Five Favorites in Run for Roses 2016

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ABC News 

Derby 2016: 5 Horses to Watch in 142nd Kentucky Derby

By beth harris, ap racing writer

Apr 30, 2016, 1:02 PM ET

The starting gate will once again be full with 20 horses for the 142nd Kentucky Derby.

Even though the majority of horses have little chance of winning and over the half the field is typically eliminated in the opening quarter-mile, owners and trainers cannot resist the prestige of having a horse in America's greatest race.

Most of the 3-year-olds will be running 1¼ miles for the first time on May 7, leaving it up for grabs to see which handles the distance, track surface and traffic-choked conditions the best.

Trainer Doug O'Neill has the likely wagering favorite in undefeated Nyquist.

Three trainers are expected to have two horses each in the race. Steve Asmussen will saddle Gun Runner and Creator, Todd Pletcher has Wood Memorial winner Outwork and Tampa Bay Derby winner Destin, and Chad Brown has Shagaf and Blue Grass runner-up My Man Sam.

Here are five horses to watch:

EXAGGERATOR

A son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin. He's trained by Keith Desormeaux and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the Hall of Fame jockey who is Keith's younger brother. The colt has three wins in eight career starts and earnings of $1 million. He has lost to Nyquist three times, including last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Exaggerator is a versatile sort who can press the pace or stalk the leaders. He is coming off an impressive 6¼-length victory in the Santa Anita Derby on a sloppy track.

GUN RUNNER

The colt topped the Derby leaderboard with 151 points earned in prep races. He has four wins in five career starts, including the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star this winter. Trainer Steve Asmussen, recently elected to racing's Hall of Fame, is seeking his first Derby victory. He will also saddle Creator. Gun Runner has the second-highest earnings of $1.6 million among the horses expected to make the field.

MOHAYMEN

The colt had his five-race winning streak snapped in the Florida Derby, when he finished fourth behind Nyquist as the 4-5 favorite. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin tosses out the clunker, saying Mohaymen has had "only two bad minutes in his entire life." The colt is one of two (Shagaf is the other) in the race owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 70-year-old deputy ruler of Dubai. The Maktoum family is 0 for 8 at the Derby. Mohaymen's blood lines include Triple Crown winners Secretariat and Seattle Slew.

MOR SPIRIT

Any Derby horse trained by Bob Baffert is worth consideration. The Hall of Fame trainer has four Derby victories, including last year when American Pharoah began his journey to Triple Crown glory in this race. Another Hall of Famer, Gary Stevens, will ride the Pennsylvania-bred colt. Stevens has three Derby wins, the last coming in 1997 aboard Silver Charm, who was trained by Baffert. Mor Spirit has never been worse than second in seven career starts.

NYQUIST

The colt brings a 7-0 record into Churchill Downs, bettering the marks of Seattle Slew in 1977 and Smarty Jones in 2004 when they were 6-0 and won the race. He comes in off a five-week layoff, having last won the Florida Derby. The colt has won from just about everywhere: on the rail, from the far outside, leading all the way or coming from off the pace. Nyquist is a son of Uncle Mo, who also went undefeated in his 2-year-old season. Uncle Mo was the early favorite for the 2011 Kentucky Derby, but he was scratched the day before because of illness and was later diagnosed with a rare liver disease. The colt is named for Detroit Red Wings player Gustav Nyquist; owner Paul Reddam is a big fan of the hockey team. Reddam, trainer Doug O'Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez were the same team behind I'll Have Another, who won the first two legs of the Triple Crown in 2012 before being scratched on the eve of the Belmont Stakes with a career-ending leg injury. Nyquist is the richest horse in the Derby field, having earned $3.2 million. He was purchased for $400,000.