Horse Named for a Hockey Player Wins Kentucky Derby

Nyquist won the Kentucky Derby Saturday, and given that he's now undefeated in eight races, expect the chatter to heat up about a possible second consecutive Triple Crown year. Nyquist had been the big favorite, and he didn't disappoint, storming into the lead on the turn for home and beating Exaggerator by a length and quarter, reports AP. So why the name? Owner J. Paul Reddam grew up in Ontario, Canada, and is a fan of the Detroit Red Wings, and he named the horse after Wings forward Gustav Nyquist. The win gives Reddam and jockey Mario Gutierrez their second Derby winner—I'll Have Another won the Derby and Preakness in 2012 but was retired the day before the Belmont with a leg injury. Last year's Derby winner, American Pharoah, went on to win the Triple Crown. (More Kentucky Derby stories.)