Mystik Dan wins Kentucky Derby before 156K

The Kentucky Derby on Saturday saw Mystik Dan hold off a late charge from Sierra Leone and Forever Young to win the 150th running of the race in front of a crowd of 156,710 at Churchill Downs. It marked the first “nose margin” victory since 1996. Mystik Dan -- an 18-1 shot -- paid $39.22 on a $2 win wager. Trainer Kenny McPeek said that he “wasn’t ready to commit Mystik Dan to the second leg of the Triple Crown” -- the Preakness on May 18 (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 5/4). Saturday’s Derby attendance made it the "most attended Derby since 2018” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 5/4).

In Louisville, Ryan Black wrote about Mystik Dan’s ownership group under the header, “Who owns Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan? Meet Lance Gasaway, Brent Gasaway, Daniel Hamby” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 5/4).