This Day in History: 2016-05-7

Reddam Racing’s Nyquist took the lead from Gun Runner in the upper stretch, opened a daylight margin and had more than enough to hold off Exaggerator by 1 1/4 lengths to win the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby (GI) before a crowd of 167,227, the second-largest in Derby history. It was the second victory in the Derby for owner Paul Reddam, trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez; the trio that got the roses in 2012 with I’ll Have Another. Gutierrez became the first jockey since Willie Simms to win the Derby twice with his first two mounts. Simms won in 1896 with Ben Brush and in 1898 with Plaudit. Nyquist covered the mile and a quarter on a fast track in 2:01.31, the 13th fastest in race history. He became the 21st 2-year-old champion to come back the following year and win the Kentucky Derby and the second Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) winner to take the roses along with Street Sense nine years ago. Now undefeated in eight career starts, Nyquist is the first undefeated Derby winner with eight victories since Majestic Prince in 1969.