The stage will be set for a heavyweight bout between a pair of unbeatens in the GI Florida Derby Apr. 2.
That remains the target for unbeaten Nyquist (Uncle Mo), a smart winner in his comebacker in the seven-furlong GII San Vicente S. at Santa Anita Feb. 15, and Mohaymen (Tapit), who extended his perfect mark to five-for-five with a dazzling 2 1/4-length tally in Saturday's GII Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park.
Mohaymen, a $2.2-million KEESEP co-topper, has earned career-high 95 Beyer Speed Figures in each of his last three victories, including the GII Remsen S. at Aqueduct Nov. 28 and GII Holy Bull S. in Hallandale Jan. 30.
“He came out of it perfect, no issues, and ate up,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said of the Shadwell Stable colorbearer. “Everything is great. It's all going great, and it's a lot of fun. It was just another great day.”
Last term's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero, meanwhile, is eligible for a $1-million bonus if victorious in the Florida Derby after bringing $400,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Owned by Reddam Racing LLC, Nyquist is trained by Doug O'Neill.
“Obviously it will be a tough test for both of them,” McLaughlin continued. “Speaking for our horse, moving on you're going to face different horses and tough horses and he's probably the toughest one out there right now. We'd prefer to wait until May 7 [for the GI Kentucky Derby], but we can't blame them for coming with the bonus. It is what it is. It's hard to adjust or worry about it, either them or us. They have a very talented horse and we do, too, but we're already here. This is home for us. This was our plan from last year, basically.”
McLaughlin concluded, “He's just a special colt that does everything right and has such a great mind. Nothing seems to upset him. It makes our jobs easier.”
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