Mystik Dan, a lightly regarded horse, scored a thrilling upset at the Kentucky Derby, winning by a nose and bringing a career Triple Crown to trainer Kenny McPeek. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. guided Mystik Dan to a rail-riding victory, sticking his snout in front of second favorite Sierra Leone and Forever Young for the dramatic win that took several minutes to determine. Mystik Dan, listed at 20-1 on the morning line, attracted more faith from fans, who bet him down to 18-1 by the start of the race. This victory marked McPeek and Hernandez’s first Kentucky Derby win, following a successful run in the Kentucky Oaks the previous day.
Leading up to the Derby, Mystik Dan had a thin resume with a third-place finish at the Arkansas Derby and a win at the Grade III Southwest Stakes. McPeek had previously trained successful horses like Swiss Skydiver, the 2020 Preakness Stakes champion, and Sarava, the surprise winner of the 2002 Belmont Stakes. The win at the Derby capped a remarkable 24 hours for McPeek and Hernandez, who had teamed up to win the Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna. McPeek praised Hernandez for his brilliant ride and character after the thrilling win.
In the Derby, Mystik Dan may have benefited from some bumping between Sierra Leone and Forever Young down the stretch as they vied to catch the leader. Despite coming up a nose short, Sierra Leone’s trainer, Chad Brown, expressed pride in his horse’s effort, highlighting that the horse had done everything asked of him. Mystik Dan’s next challenge will be the 149th running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore on May 18. The victory at the Derby marked a high point in a day full of big-money races and celebrity sightings at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Leading up to the 12th race at Churchill Downs, the atmosphere was filled with celebrities and big hats, capturing the essence of the Kentucky Derby. Performances like Wynonna Judd singing the national anthem, along with appearances from entertainment personalities like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Tucker, and Kid Rock, added glitz and glamour to the event. Martha Stewart, Travis Kelce, and other football figures were also in attendance, contributing to the star-studded day at the racetrack. The Derby festivities included multiple high-stakes races with surprises like long shot Trikari’s upset victory in the American Turf Stakes and Gun Pilot’s win in the Churchill Downs Stakes.
In addition to Mystik Dan’s Derby triumph, other notable races included Program Trading’s dramatic win over Naval Power in the Turf Classic Stakes, Seize The Grey’s victory in the Pat Day Mile Stakes, and Vahva’s late rally to win the Derby City Distaff. These races showcased the talent and excitement on display at Churchill Downs during the Derby day festivities. Overall, the Kentucky Derby was a day filled with thrilling races, celebrity sightings, and unforgettable moments that added to the rich history and prestige of the iconic event.
