Once in a while, a particular race invokes memories of a great horse. For me, the Grade 3 Best Pal, to be contested at Del Mar today, reminds me of Nyquist.
Nyquist, now a terrific sire and well into his second career, was an unbelievable 2-year-old: after breaking his maiden on first asking at Santa Anita in June of 2015, he put together his best race by figures in the Best Pal. He went on to win a pair of races in September - both of them Grade 1s - before winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He kept his undefeated streak into the 2016 Kentucky Derby, and after a win in Louisville, many wondered if we could get back-to-back Triple Crown winners.
"We all booked New York as soon as he crossed the line in the Derby," John Cherwa, my former editor at the L.A. Times, told me.
Alas, that year's Derby runner-up, Exagerrator, got the best of Nyquist in the Preakness. Nyquist never won again, but retired with Grade 1 wins at 5 tracks in 4 states. Just a spectacular 11 months of racing, and one that I'll always appreciate.
Today's Best Pal features a trio of terrific runners, and I'm hopeful we'll meet a Breeders' Cup contender. Let's meet the field, and put together our weekly wager. If you're wagering on Del Mar, check out AmWager! They have a $50 deposit match for new customers, and a player-friendly platform.
#best #breeders #back
Nyquist, now a terrific sire and well into his second career, was an unbelievable 2-year-old: after breaking his maiden on first asking at Santa Anita in June of 2015, he put together his best race by figures in the Best Pal. He went on to win a pair of races in September - both of them Grade 1s - before winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He kept his undefeated streak into the 2016 Kentucky Derby, and after a win in Louisville, many wondered if we could get back-to-back Triple Crown winners.
"We all booked New York as soon as he crossed the line in the Derby," John Cherwa, my former editor at the L.A. Times, told me.
Alas, that year's Derby runner-up, Exagerrator, got the best of Nyquist in the Preakness. Nyquist never won again, but retired with Grade 1 wins at 5 tracks in 4 states. Just a spectacular 11 months of racing, and one that I'll always appreciate.
Today's Best Pal features a trio of terrific runners, and I'm hopeful we'll meet a Breeders' Cup contender. Let's meet the field, and put together our weekly wager. If you're wagering on Del Mar, check out AmWager! They have a $50 deposit match for new customers, and a player-friendly platform.
#best #breeders #back
3 months ago
