LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A year after slipping through on the rail to win Kentucky Derby 150 in a three-horse photo, Mystik Dan returned to the same racetrack, hugged the same rail — and reminded everyone he’s still got it.
Or at least, has gotten it back.
On Saturday, in front of a crowd that knows his story well, Mystik Dan powered home to win the $270,000 Grade III Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs, his first win since last year's Derby, becoming the first Kentucky Derby winner since Silver Charm in 1998 to win again under the Twin Spires.
It wasn’t just a feel-good win. It was fast — a stakes record time of 1:48.45 for the 1 1/8 miles. And it came with the same flair that made him famous.
“Just like in the Derby, he sat in a nice pocket and lets you read the race,” said Brian Hernandez Jr. who rode him to victory. “When you call on him, you know he’s going to jump forward and that’s what he did today. We got that spot turning for home and he showed why he won the Kentucky Derby in the past. It’s a testament to the horse. He makes these kind of trips easy, I just have to point him in the right direction.”
The win also made Mystik Dan the first Derby champ to win a race of any kind since Mandaloun (a winner by DQ) in 2021. The 4-year-old colt now has four wins and more than $4.4 million in earnings, and a new wave of momentum heading into the summer.
He didn’t break sharply Saturday, but settled nicely in fourth, tucked in along the rail as Alexander Helios carved out a hot early pace. As the leaders began to retreat turning for home, Hernandez found the same kind of seam he did a year ago — and Mystik Dan exploded.
“When he’s right, he’s such a fun horse,” Hernandez said. “He makes my job so easy.”
Trainer Kenny McPeek admitted he second-guessed some of the choices they made last year after the Triple Crown, but said the recent freshening, and a close runner-up effort at Oaklawn earlier this month, were key.
“He's moving like he did way back,” McPeek said. “. . . I’m just so proud of the horse, of Brian, and of our team. The ownership has been fantastic. We took our time and did the right thing.”
“Now,” he added, “we’ve got a good problem.”
McPeek mentioned the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI) on June 28 as the next likely target — though he’s also got Gould’s Gold, a sharp winner at Churchill two weeks ago, in the same barn and same ownership group.
“I’m sure Brian will stay on ‘Dan,’” McPeek said with a smile. “We’ll nominate both and figure it out.”
Mystik Dan returned $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third betting choice. Antiquarian was second, Post Time third. The field included just seven after three scratches, but for McPeek, the numbers that mattered were the ones on the tote board — and the calendar.
"We always thought he had more to give," McPeek said. "Now he’s showing it.”
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