Churchill Downs Stakes Recap: Kentucky Derby 150

May 04, 2024 Gary Yunt

4 G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm’s Mystik Dan, under a ground-saving trip from Brian Hernandez Jr., held off the late charges of Sierra Leone and Forever Young (JPN) to win the 150th running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) before a crowd of 156,710.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Mystik Dan completed the mile and a quarter over a fast track in 2:03.34. The most recent time the Derby was decided by a nose was in 1996 when Grindstone edged Cavonnier. It was the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947 when Jet Pilot finished a head in front of Phalanx, who was another head ahead of Faultless.

It is the first Kentucky Derby victory for Hernandez and McPeek, who teamed to win the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) on Friday with Thorpedo Anna.

It is the first time since 1952 that a trainer has swept both races in the same year. That was Ben Joneswith Real Delight in the Oaks and Hill Gail in the Derby.

It also is the first time since 2009 that a rider has won both races on the same weekend. That was Calvin Borel with Rachel Alexandra in the Oaks and Mine That Bird in the Derby.

Track Phantom and Just Steel led the field through fractions of :22.97 and :46.63 with favored Fierceness racing three wide just off the leaders. The top three remained unchanged as the leaders completed six furlongs in 1:11.31 and a mile in 1:37.46.

At the top of the stretch, the whole complexion changed.

Track Phantom drifted off the rail opening a hole that Hernandez sent Mystik Dan through and quickly opened up a daylight advantage on the field.

To his outside, Sierra Leone and Forever Young were on the move, six- and seven-wide respectively.

As Mystik Dan maintained a straight course along the rail, Sierra Leone and Forever Young were exchanging bumps in the middle of the track as they closed in only to come up just short at the wire.

The victory was worth $3.1 million and increased Mystik Dan’s career earnings to $3,741,360 with a record of 7-3-1-1.

Mystik Dan is a Kentucky-bred son of Goldencents out of the Colonel John mare Ma’am. He was bred by 4 G Racing, Gasaway and Hamby.

Mystik Dan paid $39.22, $16.32 and $10. Sierra Leone returned $6.54 and $4.64 with Forever Young returning $5.58 to show.

Completing the order of finish were Catching Freedom, T O Password (JPN), Resilience, Stronghold, Honor Marie, Endlessly, Dornoch, Track Phantom, West Saratoga, Domestic Product, Epic Ride, Fierceness, Society Man, Just Steel, Grand Mo the First, Catalytic and Just a Touch.