Nyquist camp ready for Kentucky Derby

Connections of Nyquist are hoping lightning can strike twice as their unbeaten colt bids to emulate 2012 winner I'll Have Another in tonight's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Owner Paul Reddam, trainer Doug O'Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez teamed up to beat hot favourite Bodemeister with I'll Have Another in the 10-furlong Classic, before he went on to land the Preakness Stakes, with only a late injury putting paid to his bid for Triple Crown glory in the Belmont Stakes.

I'll Have Another had already suffered two defeats going into the race that year, but Nyquist arrives with a perfect record of seven wins in as many starts.

Named after the Detroit Red Wings ice hockey player Gustav Nyquist, the Uncle Mo colt has four Grade One triumphs to his name, including last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile and mostly recently the Florida Derby.

Reddam admits having the Derby favourite, who is drawn in stall 13 of 20 runners, is a different experience to last time around.

He said: "This year we have the favourite, and we're getting a lot of attention. Our team this year is a lot more mature than it was (in 2012)."

O'Neill is unconcerned by Nyquist's draw, adding: "Breaking from 13 is fine. He was number 13 when he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland. The post didn't matter to us a ton, but we're happy with the outside, for sure."

Gutierrez, who has ridden Nyquist to each of his wins, believes the colt's tactical versatility could be a key asset.

He said: "He can do a lot of different things. A lot of scenarios can play in the Kentucky Derby. I think finding the right place is the key to him having a good race.

"Anything can happen in horse racing. I have to be aware of all the competition, and they should be aware of me as well."

American Pharoah landed the 'Run for the Roses' for trainer Bob Baffert last year before going on to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

That runner was sent off a firm favourite on the day but his representative this time, Mor Spirit, has a much lower profile having been beaten over six lengths by the reopposing Exaggerator in the Santa Anita Derby last month.

Baffert said: "We're going into this a little under the radar. We're not the heavy favourite. It's still fun to go there, it's still exciting - it never gets old.

"The difference between last year and this is that last year, Pharoah had stamped himself after the Arkansas Derby. After the Arkansas Derby, no one was trying to buy a Derby horse. This year, everybody's trying to get a piece of a horse."

Exaggerator has already twice been beaten by Nyquist, in the Breeders' Cup last year and a Santa Anita Grade Two heat back in February. He is trained by Keith Desormeaux and will be ridden by the handler's brother Kent, who is seeking a fourth Derby win following Big Brown (2008), Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) and Real Quiet (1998).

Another old adversary who tackles Nyquist again is Mohaymen, who suffered the first defeat of his six-race career when beaten over eight lengths in the Florida Derby.

Mohaymen was sent off favourite that day and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is hoping his charge can leave that run well behind this time.

He saidl: "He's had two bad minutes in his whole life. We're going to draw a line through the effort. Even though he didn't run terribly, the Florida Derby was disappointing for us who didn't think he could lose.

"He works great all the time. He trains fabulous. Everybody is getting to see what I see every day."

Other leading contenders include the Steve Asmussen-trained pair of Gun Runner and Creator, while Dale Romans' Brody's Cause also has his supporters following his Blue Grass Stakes success.

Todd Pletcher enjoyed his only Derby win when Super Saver sprung a minor surprise in 2010 and he fields Tampa Bay Derby winner Destin and Wood Memorial Stakes victor Outwork.

Japanese runner Lani has been creating quite a stir on the training track, with connections admitting the UAE Derby winner is far from straightforward as he tries to post a first success for his nation in the Classic.

He missed the break at Meydan and was detached in last place at one point before making up masses of ground to steal the Group Two prize.

Yutaka Take jets into America to take the ride and his trainer Mikio Matsunaga is pleased enough with the Tapit colt's draw in stall eight.

He said: "It was a good draw, ideal. The middle was ideal so I have no complaints about drawing number eight."