Nyquist rallies to win Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) J. Paul Reddam didn't mince words about his expectations for Nyquist after the colt's rally for a half-length victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

''When is the Derby?'' Reddam said in reference to the Kentucky Derby after his colt picked his way through the 14-horse field Saturday at Keeneland.

''Some people doubted that this horse would really stretch out,'' Reddam said, ''and I think he proved today beyond a doubt that he will.''

Well back in the field entering the stretch, the 2-year-old colt based in Southern California came on strong to improve to 5-0 lifetime. He's trained by Doug O'Neill, ridden by Mario Gutierrez and owned by Reddam, the same trio behind I'll Have Another. That colt won the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Nyquist was immediately tabbed as the early Derby favorite.

He ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.79 and paid $11.40, $6.20 and $4 at 9-2 odds.

Nyquist won his third straight Grade 1 race. He's a son of Uncle Mo, who also was undefeated in his 2-year-old season. Uncle Mo was the early favorite for the 2011 Kentucky Derby, but he was scratched the day before with a gastrointestinal infection. He was later diagnosed with a rare liver disease.

Swipe returned $25 and $13, while Brody's Cause was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $5 to show.

Greenpointcrusader, the 7-2 favorite, finished seventh.

Brody's Cause continued his success at Keeneland, just weeks after winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity by a length here.