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Derby winner Nyquist withdraws from Belmont Stakes

Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist will not be running in the Belmont Stakes as a result of illness, trainer Doug O'Neill has announced. Nyquist had an elevated white blood cell count and a high fever, enough to cause its owners concern and prevent another race in the short term.

The horse's withdrawal from the Belmont means there will be no decisive showdown for the horses which dueled in the Triple Crown's first two races. Nyquist won the Kentucky Derby, defeating Exaggerator by 1¼ lengths, but was unable to hold off Exaggerator's charge in the Preakness. That race marked Nyquist's first defeat.

“It is a bummer,” O’Neill told Daily Racing Form. “It’s like a family member being sick. We’re going to focus on getting him better and we look forward to a summer campaign.” There was no immediate word on when Nyquist would return, though later this summer is a possibility.

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.