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| Staff Writer |
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In a heart-pounding finish, Mystik Dan clinched the Kentucky Derby victory by a mere nose, edging out a late-charging Sierra Leone and Japanese contender Forever Young. The intense photo finish kept spectators and jockeys alike on the edge of their seats, with the placing judges taking their time to determine the official result.
For trainer McPeek, this win marked a significant milestone in his career, coming after nearly three decades of striving for Derby glory. Mystik Dan's rail-skimming strategy, reminiscent of his earlier triumph in the Southwest Stakes, proved successful once again, securing McPeek's first Derby win on his tenth attempt.
"It still hasn't sunk in. You know, it's unbelievable, "McPeek, 61, said of the accomplishment. "We came into the weekend thinking we had good chances, really big chances, both Friday and Saturday, and then to just have the horses pull it off for us."
Despite the nail-biting wait for the result, the jubilant crowd of 156,710 erupted with excitement upon hearing Mystik Dan declared the winner. McPeek's confidence in his horse's victory was evident, reflecting the culmination of years of dedication and hard work.
The victory also solidified Mystik Dan's status as a rising star in the racing world, with his trainer now poised for induction into the Hall of Fame in the near future. Mystik Dan's triumph, coupled with his earlier achievements, positions McPeek as a legendary figure in the sport.
While the Derby unfolded with drama and excitement, it also showcased the resilience and determination of the competing horses and their connections. Despite facing tough competition, Mystik Dan emerged as the deserving victor, paving the way for potential further Triple Crown participation.
Looking ahead, the spotlight now shifts to future races, including the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. With Mystik Dan's impressive pedigree and recent success, he remains a top contender for further glory on the racing circuit.
Following the thrilling conclusion of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, attention swiftly shifted towards the upcoming second leg of the Triple Crown, the 149th Preakness Stakes, scheduled for 18th May at Pimlico Race Course. However, the Preakness field is likely to miss several key contenders from the Derby.
Kenny McPeek, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, remained undecided about the colt's participation in the Preakness. Despite an official invitation from Pimlico, McPeek expressed concerns about Mystik Dan's fatigue following his Derby triumph. A final decision will be made after evaluating the colt's condition upon his return to the track on 8th May.
While the Belmont Stakes on 8th June seems to be a more plausible option for many Derby contenders, the race's temporary relocation to Saratoga Race Course has altered plans. McPeek favored the shorter distance of 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga over the traditional 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park.
Notably, Sierra Leone, who finished second in the Derby, will skip the Preakness in favor of targeting the Belmont. Other Derby horses like Honor Marie, West Saratoga, Forever Young, and T O Password also opt out of the Preakness to focus on future races.
Looking ahead, new contenders may emerge for the Preakness, with horses like Muth, trained by Bob Baffert, likely to vie for victory. Muth, ineligible for the Kentucky Derby due to Baffert's suspension, is expected to be a strong contender. Imagination, another Baffert trainee, is also being prepared for the Preakness.
Additional potential Preakness contenders include Tuscan Gold, trained by Chad Brown, and Seize the Grey, trained by D. Wayne Lukas. With automatic-berth victories, horses like Informed Patriot and Copper Tax are also under consideration, pending further evaluations by their trainers.
Despite uncertainties, trainers remain optimistic about their horses' prospects in the Preakness. The post-Derby landscape has reshaped the field, offering new opportunities for contenders to shine in one of America's classic races.