Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Nyquist's brother hitting the trail

The 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist’s half-brother, Still Dreaming, has shown “a fair amount of ability” so far, trainer Graham Motion said Thursday. The 3-year-old Flatter colt made that apparent on New Year’s Day when he broke his maiden second time out at Laurel Park.

Next, a 2019 Kentucky Derby prep race could be in store.

Still Dreaming is currently at Motion’s Fair Hill base in Maryland but is likely to head to Tampa Bay Downs next week.

“I’d like to get him down in the better weather on a more consistent track where we know what the weather’s going to be like every day and probably point him for the Sam Davis,” Motion said.

The Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes runs Feb. 9 and awards Derby points on a 10-4-2-1 basis to the first four finishers. The 1 1/16-mile test would mark Still Dreaming’s first start at two turns.

“I like those races at Tampa. I like the track. I have a stable there, so it kind of works well for me to have him there,” Motion added. “And I think that’s a good progression. Ideally, I’d maybe point for an a-other-than, but the a-other-thans don’t always fill, so I’d rather point for a race that I know is going to happen.”

Campaigned by West Point Thoroughbreds and Chris Larsen, Still Dreaming sold for $460,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. As with Nyquist, he was bred by Hinkle Farms and is out of the Forestry mare Seeking Gabrielle. 

Still Dreaming finished fourth on debut at Laurel Park Nov. 22. Jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. was aboard for the six furlongs dash. Still Dreaming broke as the second horse from the rail and was involved early outside the pacesetter.

“He’s a horse that I have thought a lot of since before we started him," Motion said. "I was a little disappointed with the way he ran first time out, but I partly blame myself because we sprinted him and it was a pretty cold day. The track was really cuppy that day, and I think Jorge Vargas, who rode him, just kicked himself afterwards.

"He said he kind of rushed him off his feet and I think he got a little tired. And it’s clearly not what he wants to do. He clearly wants to go two turns. So, having said all that, I was very encouraged with how he ran the other day.”

Vargas, who still rides Still Dreaming in morning works, was at Aqueduct for the Jerome Stakes on Tuesday, riding Our Braintrust to a runner-up finish behind Mind Control. Trevor McCarthy took up the reins as Still Dreaming stretched out to a mile and broke from the far post.

The colt settled a length off the pace, then took over turning for home. Still Dreaming kicked clear to win by three lengths. The final time was 1:38.04 over a good track.

Still Dreaming checked out with the veterinarian Thursday, and Motion plans to get him back on Fair Hill's track to ensure all is good before shipping him to Tampa.

“He is a dream. He’s an absolute classy, lovely horse to be around,” Motion said. “Always been an absolute pleasure.”