Kentucky Derby champion Nyquist won't compete at Belmont Stakes

(Image credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images)

published 24 May 2016

Nyquist, the racehorse who won the 2016 Kentucky Derby earlier this month, will not compete in the Belmont Stakes on June 11. Trainer Doug O'Neill told Daily Racing Forum Tuesday morning that Nyquist has an elevated white blood cell count as well as a slight fever, and will be treated with antibiotics and remain at Pimlico Race Course stables in Maryland rather than be shipped to New York for the Belmont Stakes.

Nyquist's Triple Crown hopes were dashed May 21 at the Preakness Stakes when he was bested by rival Exaggerator. Trainers had hoped the Belmont Stakes would be the "rubber match" between the horses.