Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is heading to the Preakness after all

Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Mystik Dan across the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Mystik Dan, right, to the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. Brian Hernandez Jr.

Trainer Kenny McPeek announced the decision Saturday after speaking with owners and weighing the pros and cons of racing his horse again on a short, two-week turnaround. He initially expressed concern about that timeframe after Mystik Dan ran poorly under the same circumstances in November.“All systems go,” McPeek said Saturday. “The horse is doing fantastic.”

The possibility of Mystik Dan, who finished just ahead of Sierra Leone and Forever Young in the 1 1/4-mile race at Churchill Downs last weekend thanks to a perfect, rail-skimming ride by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., not going to the Preakness next Saturday raised questions about the status of the prestigious race. Twice in the previous four years, the Derby winner did not run — a product of various circumstances.

But the lure of going to Baltimore was too much to pass up for McPeek, who won the pandemic-delayed 2020 Preakness with filly Swiss Skydiver, who beat Derby champion Authentic.Maryland governor signs bill to rebuild Pimlico, home of the Preakness StakesNo one has won both the Derby and Preakness since the last Triple Crown champion, Justify in 2018 for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.

The only other horse from the Derby expected to run in the Preakness is 17th-place finisher Just Steel, trained by 88-year-old Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas.

Preakness Stakes Horse Racing MD State Wire KY State Wire NYC State Wire NY State Wire Kentucky Wildcats Sports Kentucky

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby in photo finishThe 150th Kentucky Derby was held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday and won by Mystik Dan.
Source: nbcchicago - 🏆 545. / 51 Read more »

Mystik Dan wins 2024 Kentucky Derby, beating Sierra Leone in a photo finishDavid K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
Source: NBCNews - 🏆 10. / 86 Read more »

Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finishMystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Source: sdut - 🏆 5. / 95 Read more »

Mystik Dan wins Kentucky Derby in 3-horse photo finishBrian Hernandez Jr. guides the 18-1 underdog to narrowly hold off Sierra Leone and Forever Young to win the 150th Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs
Source: ladailynews - 🏆 332. / 59 Read more »

Mystik Dan wins Kentucky Derby in photo finishMystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish.
Source: FOX10Phoenix - 🏆 83. / 68 Read more »

Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby in photo finishThe biggest Derby is expected to bring in massive crowds. Chef Robert Lopez talks about the planning process behind food preparation for the Kentucky Derby.
Source: KHOU - 🏆 330. / 59 Read more »