Kentucky Derby favorite Nyquist visits with Stanley Cup
Nyquist the horse has now been closer to the Stanley Cup than Nyquist the hockey player.
The favorite to win Saturday's 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby got a visit with Lord Stanley's Mug Saturday morning.
The Stanley Cup was delivered to me this morning for good luck! @NHL @ChurchillDowns #Nyquist pic.twitter.com/jjiZSDqOd4
— TheNyquist (@TheNyquistHorse) May 7, 2016
According to Nyquist's trainer Doug O'Neill, the horse's name is in honor of Detroit Red Wings star Gustav Nyquist.
"You look at that, it gives you goose bumps," O'Neill said, according to ESPN's David Grening. "The amazing athletes and hockey players that have been involved with that and skated around the ice with it. Being born in Michigan, that is like the Holy Grail."
O'Neill stopped to think about what exactly he would do with hockey's top prize if given a day with the Cup.
"I would take it to a lot of cool places, that's for sure," O'Neill said. "If that Cup could talk, the stories it could tell. That thing has probably been to some of the wackiest places around."
Nyquist will start the race with the 13th post position and has the support of the Red Wings organization behind him.
Happy #DerbyDay! Sending positive vibes to @TheNyquistHorse in the 142nd running of the @KentuckyDerby! 🏇 #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/jjDAIWpl7S
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) May 7, 2016
-With h/t to ESPN