Behind the Scenes Photos From 142nd Kentucky Derby With Courtney Suthoff

Special thanks to AQHA amateur competitor Courtney Suthoff for sharing some great photos from behind the scenes at the 142nd Kentucky Derby! Did you make it to the Derby this year? If so, share your photos by e-mailing b.bevis@equinechronicle.com.

VIDEO: 142nd Kentucky Derby– And They’re Off!

By: Brittany Bevis

Congratulations to the winner of the 142nd Kentucky Derby, Nyquist along with jockey Mario Gutierrez and trainer Doug F. O’Neill! This victory leaves Nyquist undefeated in eight races and makes him the eighth unbeaten winner in the history of the Kentucky Derby. Consequently, the bay colt by Uncle Mo and out of Seeking Gabrielle is the first unbeaten winner since crowd favorite, Big Brown, back in 2008. Did you bet on Nyquist to win? If so, he paid $6.60, $4.80, and $3.60 as the 2-1 favorite (ESPN, 2016).

After a spectacular performance last year by American Pharoah, the first Triple Crown Champion in 37 years, some wonder if the glass ceiling has been broken, paving the way for another champion this year… According to Derby records, the only back-to-back Triple Crown winners were Seattle Slew in 1977 and Affirmed in 1978.

The first Saturday in May was also history-making for jockey Mario Gutierrez as he became the first jockey to win his first two Derby starts. Racing fans might remember the jockey/trainer team of Gutierrez/O’Neill as the guiding force behind the 2012 Derby and Preakness winner, I’ll Have Another. Sadly, that horse’s Triple Crown hopes were dashed when he was scratched the day before the Belmont Stakes due to tendonitis. Will they have another shot this year with Nyquist?

Stay tuned for the next leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, when Nyquist will look to go two for two on May 21st.

Nyquist Fun Fact: As a lifelong fan of the NHL Detroit Red Wings, Nyquist’s owner has a habit of naming horses after his favorite hockey players like Datsyuk, Lindstrom, Zetterberg, Mrazek, Kronwall, Tatar, and now Gustav Nyquist. Click here to find out more. Also, Nyquist received a bit of good luck before he took to the race track on Saturday. The Stanley Cup visited O’Neill’s barn before the Derby, and Nyquist seemed interested in the silver trophy when he stuck his nose in the cup!