Nyquist Wins Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Nyquist Tops 2-Year-Old Males in Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

By: Claudia L. Ruiz

Doug O’Neill trained Nyquist proved to be the best in his division, winning the Gr. 1 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Saturday, Nov. 1st, at Keeneland. The 2-year-old bested a field of fifteen runners that included FrontRunner Stakes runner-up Swipe and Champagne Stakes winner Greenpointcrusader. The two were ultimately no match for the colt, who won by a ½-length.

“The race didn’t unfold like I expected,” expressed O’Neill. “But Mario did his thing where he just never panicked.” Jockey Mario Gutierrez added, “I had a little trouble getting over from my outside post (13), but being wide wasn’t a problem. He was running fine on the outside and so we just stayed there. I’ve always had confidence in this horse. He’s a good one.”

Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile Break

Above: Contenders 2-11 breaking from the gate during the start of the 2015 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Sentient Jet Breeders Cup Juvenile Nyquist

Above: A son of Uncle Mo, Nyquist overcame a bumpy start.

Above: On the far right, Nyquist is sent 7-8 wide on the first turn.

Above: Swipe moves up to challenge Nyquist in the final stretch.

“It was hard for me to ride him really hard in the turn… I had to be patient. I didn’t want to do too much with him because he’s such a young horse.” – Victor Espinoza explained of his ride aboard Swipe.

Above: Nyquist rallies to put away Swipe.

“How could we not be thrilled with Swipe’s race? Being that he’s by Birdstone, he should get better as he gets older. The way he’s relaxing into these races and finishing strong, more distance for him can only be an advantage. Today he gave me a thrill through the lane.” – Keith Desormeaux (Swipe’s trainer)

Above: Nyquist poses for a swarm of media.

In the end there can only be one victor, and to the victor goes the spoils.

Purchased for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training sale in March of 2015, Nyquist is owned by Reddam Racing and has earned $1,613,600 to date. Since his career debut in June of 2015, the bay colt has won all five of his career starts, including the Gr. 2 BestPal, the Gr. 1 Del Mar Futurity, Gr. 1 FrontRunner and now the Gr. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. His current winning margin totals 10 ¼-lengths.

The win for Nyquist returned $11.40, while late charging Swipe with Victor Espinoza in the irons paid $25.00 for place and Brody’s Cause returned $5.00 for show. The final time for the 1 1/16-mile race: 1:43.79.

$2 Exacta → $191.40
$2 Trifecta → $1,394.60
$2 Superfecta → $5,535.40

Order of Finish: 1-Nyquist, 2-Swipe, 3-Brody’s Cause, 4-Exaggerator, 5-Cocked and Loaded, 6-Riker, 7-Greenpointcrusader, 8-Conquest Big E, 9-Waterloo Bridge, 10-Siding Spring, 11-Rated R Superstar, 12-Unbridled Outlaw, 13-Isotherm, 14-Ralis

Watch the replay: