Doug O'Neill, Nyquist are greeted by special guest before Preakness
Trainer Doug O'Neill and Kentucky Derby champ Nyquist have had some special moments along the Triple Crown trail.
The morning of the Run for the Roses, the Stanley Cup arrived at Nyquist's barn area. The NHL sent the hallowed trophy because the 3-year-old colt is named after Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist.
As nice as that stop was, Thursday's at Pimlico Race Course was a far sweeter moment at the O'Neill barn.
However, Hope Hudson's road to Nyquist started in 2012 when O'Neill was on a journey through the Triple Crown with another horse, I'll Have Another.
Hudson was battling a rare disease -- Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. She came to meet O'Neill and I'll Have Another through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Shortly after the meeting, I'll Have Another went on to capture the Kentucky Derby. He also won the Preakness before being retired the day before the Belmont due to injury.
From The Associated Press in 2012:
"They're part of the team; they're part of the family," O'Neill said.
Fast forward to Thursday in Baltimore and this time the surprise was on O'Neill as Hope and her family arrived to meet and greet the trainer and Nyquist.
Check it out:
