Oscar Nominated was not nominated to the Triple Crown for $600 in January nor $6,000 in March, which shows how much Kentucky Derby-loving owner Ken Ramsey must have thought of him at those points. But after his victory in this race Ramsey is going to the Derby on May 7, because Oscar Nominated earned 50 points, and the first-prize money of $282,000 will cover the $200,000 supplement Ramsey will have to put up at entry time May 4 to run.
Led by Nyquist, the top four finishers from Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby are all pointing to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.
Nyquist shipped across country to face Mohaymen on Mohaymen’s home track in a battle of the unbeatens and emerged as the clear-cut winner, keeping his perfect record intact. He now heads to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, but there will be a clear line of demarcation on those who support him, and those who think he’s quite vulnerable.
The most anticipated matchup in a Kentucky Derby prep in years that was supposed to take place in Saturday’s Florida Derby never materialized. But don’t be angry with Nyquist. It’s not his fault that, at least on this day, he was just much, much better than Mohaymen.
In the wake of his dominating victory in the Florida Derby, Nyquist has overtaken Mohaymen as the favorite in the fourth and final pool of the 2016 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closes today at 6 p.m. Eastern after the customary three-day run.
Although he came to south Florida undefeated and the reigning juvenile champion, Nyquist may not have received the respect he truly deserved entering Saturday’s Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. But 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Nyquist erased any doubts he’s the undisputed leader of the 3-year-old division and the undeniable favorite for the Kentucky Derby with a convincing 3 1/4-length victory over Majesto in the $1 million Florida Derby.
The winds of fortune blew in favor of Ken Ramsey once again when Oscar Nominated carried his red and white silks to a 23-1 upset Saturday in an eventful 45th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Spiral Stakes, the annual showcase event at Turfway Park.
Plans for a trio of Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds came more into focus Saturday, with Tampa Bay Derby winner Destin training up to the Kentucky Derby, Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Outwork confirmed for the Wood Memorial, and Fountain of Youth runner-up Zulu likely headed to the Blue Grass Stakes.
Mohaymen was a lukewarm favorite through the first full day of wagering into the fourth and final pool of the 2016 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opened Friday at noon Eastern for the customary three-day run.
The Racing Festival of the South is an annual grouping of major stakes over the final week of the Oaklawn meet. There will be nine stakes contested, from the Fantasy next Saturday through the Arkansas Derby on the final program of the season, April 16. The total purses for the stakes – five of which are graded – is a record $3,750,000.
