TEAM REDDAM RACING'S NYQUIST

Reddam Racing's Nyquist had another quiet morning at Keeneland April 13, with his first work since a victory in the April 2 Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (gr. I) for trainer Doug O'Neill coming up soon.

The son of Uncle Mo   with the 7-for-7 record headed out to the main track in Lexington under exercise rider Jonny Garcia, accompanied by assistant trainer Jack Sisterson on Satire the pony.

"Jonny pulled up and he said, 'Are you kidding me? He feels better than back home'," Sisterson reported. "So that's a very good sign. He jogged one and galloped one, that's his regular routine. He'll jog tomorrow. We're very happy with him this morning."

Nyquist, the leading contender for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has had five days of training at Keeneland after missing his first few days upon arrival from Florida with an elevated white blood cell count.



O'Neill is expected to arrive from California April 14 to supervise the April 15 works of both Nyquist and Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) winner Land Over Sea, Reddam Racing's top chance at the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

"He'll work half a mile Friday... I'm not sure exactly what time he's going to work," Sisterson said. "I'll let Doug know the busy and quiet times. Back home he used to work 6:50-ish, but with the daylight here and things, I don't know if he'll kind of want to take him out in the dark. He's the boss, he decides that."

Sisterson said his team's goal since Nyquist arrived at Keeneland April 3 has been to keep the bay colt happy as he returns to full energy after a strong Florida Derby run.

"He tries to dictate out there who's the boss," he said. "He likes to grab the pony at times. I feel sorry for Satire. But he (Nyquist)  is the boss, so you've got to keep him happy."