Nyquist will not run in Belmont Stakes

Nyquist will not participate in the Belmont Stakes.

Trainer Doug O'Neill confirmed the Kentucky Derby winner will not run due to an elevated white blood cell count.

Jack Sisterson, trainer Doug O’Neill’s assistant, says the 3-year-colt who finished third in Saturday’s Preakness had a temperature of 102 degrees and wasn’t being sent to the track in New York on Monday as originally planned.

Team Nyquist had hoped the horse will be able to run on June 11 in the Belmont Stakes, where he would meet up again with Preakness winner Exaggerator.

Nyquist lost for the first time after compiling an 8-0 record.

After winning the Florida Derby on April 2, Nyquist was shipped to Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, and his return to training was delayed because of an elevated white blood cell count. At that time, he had no fever, was back on the track in a few days and went on to win the Derby on May 7.

Nyquist came into the Preakness with an 8-for-8 record, including four wins over Exaggerator. But the tables were turned in the second leg of the Triple Crown on a sloppy track, and Exaggerator won by 3½ lengths with Cherry Wine second, a nose ahead of Nyquist.

Exaggerator, meanwhile, took a walk around the shedrow at his Pimlico stable on Monday, and trainer Keith Desormeaux said the colt could be back on the track Tuesday morning.

Desormeaux said plans are for Exaggerator to be shipped to Belmont on Sunday.

Others expected for the 1½-mile Belmont include Cherry Wine and fifth-place Preakness finisher Lani, as well as Sudenbreakingnews (fifth in the Derby), Destin (sixth, Derby), Brody's Cause (seventh, Derby) and Governor Malibu, runner-up in the Peter Pan at Belmont on May 14.

 -NBC Sports