Nyquist works 'maintenance' five furlongs in company

Unbeaten champion Nyquist got a little help from his friends in his penultimate work for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday morning at Keeneland.

Nyquist and regular exercise rider Jonny Garcia went in company with Grade 1-winning stablemate Ralis and Flavien Prat for a "maintenance" five furlongs in 1:01.78 on Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch's watch. The latter colt is pointing to the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile on the Derby undercard.

"We thought he would do it easier because he's so competitive," trainer Doug O'Neill, in town to oversee the work before hopping on a plane to Saturday’s Charles Town Classic, said. "Sometimes going alone, Jonny's gotta ask him a bit, so we thought it would be easier on him, and he was strong early."

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Nyquist appeared eager to have a target, quickly reeling in Ralis, who had started ahead while open galloping to the pole. Nyquist turned in splits of 24.01 and 36.03, easing ahead in the lane to the wire. The two colts galloped out with no urging in 1:17.79.

"At this point, he's fit and ready, so just strictly looking for maintenance," O'Neill said.

Nyquist will have his final work next Saturday before vanning to Churchill Downs on May 1.