Mohaymen, Nyquist showdown recalls other famous pre-Derby meetings

Saturday's $1 million Florida Derby (G1) showdown featuring Mohaymen and Nyquist, who have been the shortest-priced individual entries in the first three pools of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW), is a rare meeting between the two leading contenders for the Run for the Roses held prior to the first Saturday in May.

In an era when most horsemen rigorously avoid such confrontations before all the glory is on the line at Churchill Downs (in this case, a $1 million bonus for Nyquist if he should win has helped bring this event about), it should be a moment for racing fans of all stripes to savor.

What makes this match-up special is that both colts enter Gulfstream Park's marquee race undefeated. Barring a dead heat or an upset of both, neither of which either camp would necessarily like to see five weeks before the big one, only one will head to Louisville with their perfect record intact.

Browsing the modern history books, I don't think we have seen a race like this which checks all the boxes: a battle between the top two Derby favorites, including the juvenile champion, in a geographical showdown of unbeatens. Hopefully, I haven't completely overlooked any major confrontation of the post-war era when thinking the following examples, though not quite analogous, come close.

1994 Fountain of Youth (G2): Eventual Kentucky Derby favorite and Horse of the Year Holy Bull met defeat for the first time here as the 13-10 favorite when he flipped his palate and finished last, 24 1/4 lengths behind Dehere. The juvenile champion was rebounding from a surprise season-opening allowance loss here to edge eventual Derby winner Go for Gin by three parts of a length in what turned out to be his final start.

1988 Lexington (G2): Only in retrospect can we view this race as a pre-Derby battle between the two best colts in the crop. When Louisiana Derby (G3) winner Risen Star edged juvenile champion and 2-5 favorite Forty Niner by a head, the latter's bandwagon got a little lighter and favoritism on Derby Day went to the undefeated Wood Memorial (G1) winner Private Terms, with Santa Anita Derby (G1) heroine Winning Colors a close second choice.