Champions Nyquist, Beholder put in works

ARCADIA, Calif. – The champions Beholder and Nyquist had widely diverging workouts at Santa Anita on Friday.

Beholder, who has won three Eclipse Awards, including the 2015 prize as champion older female, worked five furlongs in company with a stablemate in 1:01.60. Trainer Richard Mandella timed the workout in 1:02. Nyquist, the champion 2-year-old male of 2015, was given an official workout time of five furlongs in 1:03 but actually put in a hybrid of a gallop and a workout at a mile.

Trainer Doug O’Neill timed Nyquist going a mile in 1:49.60, with a final furlong in 11.60 seconds. He worked with a stablemate.

Owned by Paul and Zillah Reddam, Nyquist is a leading contender for the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on April 2.

“We put him in company to get the competitive juices flowing,” O’Neill said. “He went very easily.”

O’Neill employed a similar structure earlier this year, giving Nyquist a gallop followed by a workout. On Friday, Santa Anita clocker Dane Nelson said he timed Nyquist in approximately 59.40 seconds for the first half-mile before the pace intensified.

Nyquist is unbeaten in six starts and has earned $1,733,600. He won the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs Feb. 15 in his only start this year.

Beholder, who beat males in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar last August, will run for the first time this year in early May.

Mandella is considering running her in the $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf for fillies and mares May 5 or the $100,000 Adoration Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the main track for fillies and mares May 8.

Beholder has never raced on turf, and the idea intrigues Mandella, though he said she is unlikely to start in the Royal Heroine.

“More than likely, it will be the Adoration,” he said, adding, “I’ve always wanted to try the turf.”

Owned by B. Wayne Hughes, Beholder, 6, has won 15 of 20 starts and earned $4,436,600. She was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2012 and champion 3-year-old filly of 2013.

In Friday’s workout, Beholder started a length behind her stablemate under exercise rider Janeen Painter and finished more than a length in front. Mandella said he was not seeking a quick time.

“This was just training,” he said.