Two Weeks Out, Let the Preakness Hype Begin

Nyquist's impressive performance in Kentucky Derby 142 reinforced the obvious. This colt is very good and likes to win. Undefeated in eight starts, the Doug O'Neill trainee became just the eighth undefeated Kentucky Derby winner, and has more total wins and grade 1 victories (5) than any of the previous three undfeated Derby winners which happens to include some pretty impressive names. Seattle Slew in 1977, Smarty Jones in 2004 and Barbaro in 2006 if you're scoring at home. With the champ shipping to Pimlico the Monday (May 8) following the Derby, it's time to begin assessing his chances.

Nyqust 4-0 against Exaggerator

Nyquist's Preakness competition begins with Exaggerator, who ran a fast-closing second in the Derby. Exaggerator lost his forward momentum at the head of the crowded Churchill Downs stretch in the Derby making his valient effort all the more impressive. But even with the less-than-idea trip, Nyquist has little to prove in the way of beating Exaggerator - something he's already accomplished four times. Exaggerator's trainer Keith Desormeux has alternated between public admiration for Nyquist and one of the most candid remarks you'll ever hear from a trainer leading up to the Derby when he was quoted as saying "Nyquist has already proven he's faster than us." 

Sharp Azteca interesting Preakness possibility 

So what of the rest of the field as it begins to take shape? Dazzling Gem and Cherry Wine, trained by Brad Cox and Dale Romans respectively are considered probable. Both are nice horses, but neither figures to threaten the top two without a major and unlikely step forward. If Sharp Azteca, a sizzling winner of the Pat Day Mile on Derby Day is entered in the Preakness by trainer Jorge Navarro who labeled the chances "60/40" in favor of running, it will be intriguing to see how the fresh face will stack up against the proven vets.