LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mohaymen went from likely Kentucky Derby favorite to a question mark in less than two minutes.

Things change that quickly with a crushing defeat.

Mohaymen seemed destined for greater glory heading into the Florida Derby in early April at Gulfstream Park. The gray colt was 5 of 5 coming in, earning the backing of the public as the 4-5 favorite in the key prep for the Kentucky Derby.

Then he ran a clunker, finishing fourth, a distant 8¼ lengths behind Nyquist.

Now it is Nyquist (7 of 7) in command as the probable Derby favorite Saturday.

The loss hasn’t discouraged Kiaran McLaughlin, Mohaymen’s trainer, even if others have lost faith.

“I understand that, as far as handicapping goes,” McLaughlin said Tuesday. “We still have confidence in him. He only had a bad minute, 49 seconds in his whole life.”

In reviewing the Florida Derby, McLaughlin listed a number of factors: a very short run to the first turn, a wet track, that Mohaymen shipped from the training center to Gulfstream Park on the day of the race.

“We feel like he will rebound and run his ‘A’ race,” McLaughlin said. “It was a funny day.”


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