Nyquist, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, won the 142nd running of Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
“He’s such a special horse,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “He’s such a professional.”
Nyquist, undefeated in eight starts, grabbed the lead down the homestretch and held off Exaggerator in the 142nd running of the Derby.
The unofficial winning time was a fast 2:01.31.
Gutierrez was aboard Derby winner I’ll Have Another in 2012 in his only other Derby start.
A total of 167,227 people attended the race, the second-highest attendance in history. Last year, there were 170,513 fans.
The next leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, will be held May 21.
