Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist out of Breeders’ Cup Classic

Associated PressOct 30, 2016, 2:21 PM EDT

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ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist won’t run in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic next Saturday at Santa Anita because of a “puffy ankle.”

Trainer Doug O’Neill said Saturday that last year’s 2-year-old champion came out of his workout Thursday with the ankle issue.

He says Nyquist jogs soundly and X-rays revealed nothing, but the issue occurred too close to next weekend’s race.

The colt was scheduled to be retired after the Classic and go to stud in Kentucky.

Nyquist would have gone into the Classic on a three-race skid, having finished third in the Preakness, fourth in the Haskell and sixth in the Pennsylvania Derby. He won last year’s BC Juvenile on his way to winning all five of his starts as a 2-year-old.

He won the San Vicente Stakes and Florida Derby this year before winning the Kentucky Derby for owners Paul and Zillah Reddam.

Arabian Knight off Kentucky Derby trail; will return later

Associated PressMar 13, 2023, 12:09 PM EDT

Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Arabian Knight is off the Kentucky Derby trail.

Wagering has been suspended on the 3-year-old colt for the Derby’s future wager after owner Amr Zedan announced the decision. Arabian Knight was the second choice on the morning line behind favorite Forte for the May 6 race.

“Trainer Tim Yakteen wasn’t happy with his last work & we feel it’s in Arabian Knight’s best interest not to rush & allow him more time to develop,” Zedan tweeted. “We know he’s a superior talent & our plan is to point him toward a summer and fall campaign.”

Purchased for $2.3 million as a 2-year-old, Arabian Knight won his debut by 7 1/4 lengths at Keeneland last November. He made his 3-year-old debut in the Southwest at Oaklawn in January and won by 5 1/2 lengths.

Arabian Knight had his third workout at Santa Anita.

Tapit Trice wins Tampa Bay Derby, earns Kentucky Derby points

Associated PressMar 12, 2023, 11:28 AM EDT

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TAMPA, Fla. — Tapit Trice rallied from last to win the $360,000 Tampa Bay Derby by two lengths and earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by Luis Saez, Tapit Trice ran 1 1/16 miles 1:43.37. The 1-2 favorite in the field of 12 paid $3 to win. The 3-year-old colt earned 50 qualifying points, which places him in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby on May 6.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher extended his record for most wins in the Grade 3 race to six. He already has the early Kentucky Derby favorite in Forte, who won the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream last weekend.

Classic Car Wash was second and Classic Legacy was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third.

Tapit Trice was making his stakes debut after winning two of three starts.

“Once he got clear down the lane, he really extended himself,” Pletcher said. ”I loved the way he finished up. He relished the two turns, and the longer he goes, the better he’ll get.”