Report: Nyquist out of Belmont Stakes with elevated white blood cell count
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Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist will miss the Belmont Stakes due to a high elevated white blood cell count, according to David Grening of Daily Racing Form.
By scratching from the race Nyquist will miss a rematch with Exaggerator, who put an end to Nyquist’s hopes for the Triple Crown with a win at the Preakness Stakes.
Nyquist remained stabled at Pimlico with a fever on Monday morning and did not travel to New York. His trainer, Doug O’Neill, decided to have the horse’s blood examined after discovering his 102-degree fever. The results were returned on Tuesday and the decision was made to pull him from the race.
Nyquist previously suffered from an elevated white blood cell count and needed to be kept in a barn for about a week after winning the Florida Derby in April.
• Preakness: Triple Crown hopes dashed by Exaggerator win
The Belmont Stakes will be run on June 11.
