Nyquist takes No. 3 post as Preakness fave

BALTIMORE – Doug O’Neill couldn’t have done any better if he picked Nyquist’s post position himself.

After Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist landed the No. 3 post for the Preakness in a blind draw Wednesday, O’Neill looked like a man with a winning lottery ticket.

“The 3 is exactly what I wanted,” O’Neill said. “... We’re very optimistic that we’re going to break good and get into position.”

Unbeaten in eight races, Nyquist was made the overwhelming 3-5 favorite among 11 horses in Saturday’s race.

His selection as the best horse in the field was justified, according to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who will saddle new shooter Collected.

“I’d probably be surprised if he didn’t win,” Baffert said about Nyquist. “He’s going to be tough to beat.”

Secretariat started from the 3-hole to win the 1973 Preakness, but California Chrome in 2014 was the only horse to win from third post since 1993.

Starting from the 13th post position in the Derby, Nyquist won the 20-horse race by 1 1/4 lengths over Exaggerator. Nyquist can expect far less traffic against a smaller field at the Preakness, which covers 1 3/16th miles at Pimlico Race Course.