Nyquist pulls out of Belmont Stakes

Hopes of another triple crown showdown between Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Preakness Stakes hero ‘Exaggerator’ have ended.

While acknowleding that he was intrigued by the prospect of a Belmont Stakes rubber match, Doug O’Neill, the trainer of Nyquist confirmed on Tuesday that his horse would not be running in the Belmont Stakes on June 11.

In 2012, O’neill pulled I’ll Have Another—who had won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, from the Belmont field just a day before the race.

Nyquist finished first in the Kentucky Derby, beating Exaggerator for the fourth time. However, Exaggerator turned the table in the Preakness on Saturday to ruin hopes of a repeat triple crown winner as Nyquist ended up finishing third.