Nyquist a notable exemption from the Belmont Stakes

2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist won’t be running in the Belmont Stakes on June 12 after the three-year-old pulled up an elevated white blood cell count after the Preakness Stakes.

The Doug O’Neill-trained colt has been fighting a fever since running third behind Exaggerator in the Preakness Stakes last Sunday, but had a Triple Crown title been on the line, it might have been ready to run in two weeks time.

Assistant trainer Jack Sisterson is in Baltimore with Nyquist.

“Doug wants to do what’s best for Nyquist: get him back to 100 percent healthwise and get him back to California.”

It’s only fair to rest Nyquist which was given a torrid run on the speed in the Preakness. Its connections are expecting a quick recovery and the high-profile colt will likely run again soon.

“We’ll definitely run again this summer,” Sisterson said.

Sportsbet.com.au

New York Racing Association chief executive Chris Kay is disappointed about the exemption of Nyquist, but hopes to see it back in the Big Apple later this year.

“We’re sorry that Nyquist cannot compete at the 2016 Belmont Stakes and hope for a speedy recovery and return to the racetrack,” Kay said.

“The greatest racing fans in the world are right here in New York and would love to see Nyquist running later this spring at Belmont Park and this summer at Saratoga Race Course.”

As for Exaggerator, trainer Keith Desormeaux has the tough task of getting his colt fresh for a tilt at the Belmont Stakes which is worth another $US900,000 to the winner.

“My job in the next three weeks is freshening him and getting him strong and happy,” Desormeaux said.

The news of Nyquist pulling out has seen a drastic change in the Belmont Stakes market. Exaggerator is now the odds-on favourite with Preakness Stakes second placegetter Cherry Wine on the third line of betting at $8.00.

Suddenbreakingnews has been the other runner to shorten in the market. The Donnie Von Hemel-trained gelding finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby which was encouraging enough for punters.

2016 Belmont Stakes market:

Exaggerator – $1.90 at Sportsbet.com.au
Suddenbreakingnews – $7.00
Cherry Wine – $8.00
Stradivari – $8.00
Destin – $9.00
Lani – $15
Brody’s Cause – $17
Unified – $17
Mor Spirit – $21
Creator – $21

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