Nyquist to remain at San Luis Rey through August

DEL MAR, Calif. -- Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist is expected to spend the remainder of August at San Luis Rey Downs training center in San Diego county and will rejoin trainer Doug O’Neill’s main stable in September at Santa Anita.

O’Neill said over the weekend that Nyquist will have a few workouts at San Luis Rey Downs this month before being sent to Santa Anita when his stable leaves Del Mar in early September. O’Neill stressed that Nyquist remains a candidate for the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 24.

Nyquist will have additional workouts at Santa Anita in September that will determine whether a start in the Pennsylvania Derby is feasible. While based at San Luis Rey Downs, Nyquist’s exercise schedule will include swimming, O’Neill said.

“It’s nice and quiet,” O’Neill said of San Luis Rey. “He’s putting weight on. He’ll work there a few times and then go to Santa Anita.”

Owned by Paul and Zillah Reddam, Nyquist was fourth in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 31. O’Neill said that Nyquist has gone through a “growth spurt” in recent weeks and can benefit from the more placid environment at San Luis Rey Downs.

“He’s still a little thin,” O’Neill said. “Mentally, it’s much better for him to be there.”