Nyquist gets two-turn test in FrontRunner Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – First at five furlongs, then 6 1/2, and most recently at seven, Nyquist has used his keen speed to secure an advantageous early position and then kick on, earning three straight wins to rank as the best 2-year-old on the West Coast, if not the country.
On Saturday at Santa Anita, he will try to stretch out around two turns for the first time when he heads the field in the Grade 1, $300,000 FrontRunner Stakes over 1 1/16 miles. He will face the same question as all horses who have been in this position, including his sire, Uncle Mo – can he stretch out?
“He sure acts like he can,” said his trainer, Doug O’Neill. “He’s got a really good mind on him.”
That may be the other big weapon Nyquist brings to this fight. His raw talent has gotten him this far. Now, as the distances increase, his ability to conserve that energy becomes paramount.
To be sure, the only time Nyquist had to go flat out from the start was in his debut, when he had an inside draw. In two subsequent starts, he was forwardly placed but not headstrong, indicating that if someone is intent on the lead in the FrontRunner, he will be just fine yielding early and parrying later.
Eight entered the FrontRunner, with Nyquist in post 4. He has several familiar rivals, including Swipe and Blameitonthelaw, who were second and third while chasing Nyquist in the Del Mar Futurity. All three are coming back in just 19 days.
The FrontRunner is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race offering the winner an expenses-paid berth in the BC Juvenile at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
KEY CONTENDERS
Nyquist (Career Beyers: 82-89-84)
* He had a terrific summer at Del Mar, with dominating wins in both the Del Mar Futurity and the Best Pal.
* Owing to coming back on fairly short rest, O’Neill has not given Nyquist an official workout, but as is the trainer’s custom, he has had him go at a fairly strong clip in his gallops.
“He two-minute licked like a champ,” O’Neill said. “He’s doing great.”
Swipe (Last 3 Beyers: 74-77-80)
* He was second-best in both the Del Mar Futurity and the Best Pal, but he acts as though he will do better around two turns, which stands to reason, being as he is by Birdstone, who won the Belmont and the Travers.
Blameitonthelaw (Career Beyers: 65-88)
* He was a dazzling winner of his debut at Del Mar but wasn’t as sharp in the Del Mar Futurity.
* His trainer, John Sadler, said Blameitonthelaw has trained better at Santa Anita than he did at Del Mar, and he is adding blinkers for this race.
On Fire (Career Beyers: 65-64)
* Although his Beyer Speed Figures come up short compared to several other contenders, he does have the benefit of being the only horse in the race with a win going two turns on dirt.
Hollywood Don (Career Beyers: 82-80-55)
* He was clearly the best 2-year-old at Del Mar on turf, with a pair of wins following a troubled debut. This will be his first start on dirt, but there’s nothing in his pedigree to suggest he’s strictly a grass horse, and all of his races have been around two turns.
Mt Veeder (Career Beyers: 78-73)
* He would be coming back on just 13 days’ rest if he runs, but he could wait another week and go to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Futurity.