Can Nysos Win The Kentucky Derby?

A pivotal weekend on the Road to the Kentucky Derby saw a number of massive upsets in key trials for the big Triple Crown opener later this year. However, one of the short-priced favorites that sored to glory in his prep race came in the form of Nysos, who stormed to victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.

However, is the victory a possible sign of things to come with this runner, and could he emerge as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby in 2024?

Nysos Storms Santa Anita Prep

Even before the Road to the Kentucky Derby got underway, there was huge excitement surrounding Nysos, and his potential chances in the Triple Crown later in 2024. He made a winning debut on track at Santa Anita over six furlongs, before looking even more dominant over seven furlongs to land victory by a widening eight length margin.

However, more questions were asked of the three-year-old before his return to action in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, as he was stepped up to a mile for the first time. In truth, Nysos was the star on the day of races in California, and he eased clear of Wine Me Up by over seven lengths. The victory was even more significant when it comes to assessing the runners-up efforts behind some of the market leaders in the Derby betting, including when three lengths behind Wynstock.

However, there is a very notable problem when it comes to adding Nysos name to the free horse racing picks by TwinSpires. It revolves around the fact that he is trained by Bob Baffert.

No Nysos Movement

At this stage, the Derby is out of the question for the impressive Nysos, as he is in the care of Baffert, who remains banned from making entries for the Triple Crown race following Medina Spirit’s drug ban. Owners of horses in the care of Baffert were given the deadline of January 29 to move their runners to a new yard in order to pick up prep points, but not a single horse made the transfer to a new trainer. Therefore, at this stage, Nysos will not be able to compete at Churchill Downs in May.

It would come as massive shame for racing fans that they won’t see the most exciting three-year-old in the country in the biggest race for horses at that age this year. But, transferring horses hasn’t been something Baffert has shied away from in recent years, with Taiba and Messier both among those that were switched in order to pick up qualifying points.

However, it may be the fact that neither performed after moving to their new yard that may have been an indicating factor in the decision making process, as we could now see the impressive Santa Anita winner line up in the final two Triple Crown races instead.

Fierceness Struggles To Make Mark

Saturday’s Derby prep races also marked the return to action of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion Fierceness. The three-year-old for trainer Todd Pletcher was the market leader in the Derby betting before the race at Gulfstream Park, but he found very little on his return to action as a three-year-old.

Fierceness was given every chance coming into the stretch by John Velazquez, but he found very little and was quickly passed by two of his leading contenders, eventually finishing third.

Hades was the impressive winner of the Holy Bull, but the inquest into whether Fierceness could be a Derby contender for Pletcher this year is well underway. Bettors will likely be keen to give him another chance to bounce back, but massive improvement will be required if he is to land the Florida Derby in late March.

Mystik Dan Upsets The Odds

One of the most interesting Derby contenders to throw his name into the hat during the latest round of prep races was Mystik Dan for trainer Kenneth McPeek. The three-year-old appeared to relish the testing ground on muddy ground at Oaklawn Park, as he finished clear of Just Steel in the Southwest Stakes.

The victory produced a career bet speed figure, and he was just under a second quicker in muddy conditions that he was over the same distance on fast dirt in the Smarty Jones Stakes. He could be a very interesting contender to consider at this stage, but his form would suggest that he would only become a viable contender in the Derby if the race becomes a real slog.

However, we will likely learn more about his potential chances at Churchill Downs in late March, as he is a probable runner in the G1 Arkansas Derby. But, he could be a leading contender from the McPeek yard to assess at this early stage, especially given that he is still readily available at a lucrative price.