Irap, Nyquist cut from different bolts of cloth

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There are clear differences between Nyquist, who came into his Kentucky Derby win as an unbeaten juvenile champion, and Irap, who won his maiden in the Blue Grass Stakes for the same connections.

“Nyquist is LeBron James, and Irap’s more like Charles Barkley,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “[Irap is] solid. Even if he’s in the gym every day, he’s always going to be a little bit heavy. He continues to carry a lot of weight, and he’s got tremendous amounts of stamina.”

The differences run deeper than the physical. To keep Irap focused, O’Neill frequently sends the colt out to gallop or jog in blinkers, although he does not wear them to race or breeze.

“Unlike Nyquist, who did everything on his own and was just so naturally precocious, this guy’s a little bit more high-energy and playful and just kind of do-as-needed,” O’Neill said. “The blinkers galloping kind of keep him focused, and he puts a little more energy into it with the blinkers.”