By Sam Draut & Kyeland Jackson —

Former U of L soccer player Jack Sisterson graduated from the College of Business as an equine business major and has now reached the pinnacle of horse racing as Nyquist, a horse he is a co-trainer for, is a favorite to win the 2016 Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

“If it wasn’t for Louisville, I wouldn’t be standing here in the position I am today,” Sisterson said. “All that hard work really paid off.”

Sisterson played soccer before suffering a knee injury that benched his season. Regardless of the injury, he believes “everything happens for a reason,” and has since poured his passion into horse racing.

“You really have to love it because of the hours you have to put in,” Sisterson said. “We work seven days a week and wake up at three in the morning to be in this position. Slowly but surely it’s paying off.”

The 31-year-old Brit’s horse was posted at the 13th position and is the 3-1 favorite. Nyquist takes the field tomorrow facing Exaggerator, boasting 8-1 odds, and 20 other contestants. The race begins tomorrow at 6:34 p.m.

Photo courtesy / Jack Sisterson