Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan will continue his pursuit of racing’s Triple Crown in the May 18 $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course, trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed May 11.
“The horse is doing fantastic,” McPeek said. “I’ve already arranged the logistics of it all, just need to hammer it out with all the small details.”
The decision came following a 1 1/2-mile Saturday morning gallop at Churchill Downs.
“He felt great,” said retired jockey Robby Albarado, who gallops Mystik Dan. “I thought every day would be a progression for him, and it is. He’s coming back to himself. He’s starting to get back into that race mode right now.
“Today I let him stretch his legs a little bit down the lane. He was comfortable doing it, wanted to do it.”
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#KentuckyDerby winner #MystikDan makes his final gallop before a decision is made on the #Preakness.
He will be scoped and then Kenny McPeek will speak to the owners before deciding. Should know by late morning/early afternoon. pic.twitter.com/YPyZ2TEFbc
— Sean Collins (@BH_SCollins) May 11, 2024
In November of his 2-year-old season, Mystik Dan developed a lung infection when returning for an allowance race two weeks after his dominant maiden victory. McPeek is taking every precaution to make sure the same does not happen in the two weeks leading to the Preakness.
After Mystik Dan’s Saturday gallop and prior to deciding to enter the Preakness, McPeek had the horse scoped and blood work taken to make sure all signs were healthy. The final step was calling the ownership team of Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm to get their approval.
“These are just deep dive details, this is what we do in a lot of races,” McPeek said. “This is typical, you don’t want to run a horse that has any trace of mucus. … Checking blood work is something we do all the time.”
McPeek said that the Derby winner will ship out to Pimlico May 12. Albarado plans to arrive in Baltimore Sunday with the expectation of riding the Goldencents colt Monday morning.
“He’s so aware of where the stretch is,” Albarado said. “You don’t have to move on him, and he picks it up on his own. That’s a sign of good horses, they know their surroundings and where they’re at. That’s the advantage of going up to Pimlico this early.”
McPeek does not plan to breeze Mystik Dan in the lead-up to the race and will build upon the fitness gained from the Derby through routine gallops.
“We’re not changing any routine we do with any other horse any time,” McPeek said. “This is what we would have done whether it was a maiden race or stakes race.”
The Competition Awaits
As of Saturday morning, it appears Mystik Dan will meet nine competitors in the Preakness starting gate. Among the confirmed starters are the Bob Baffert-trained pair of Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Muth with San Felipe Stakes (G2) winner and Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Imagination .
The two performed their final published workout in company together May 10, breezing six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 at Santa Anita Park. Both horses will enter the race off six to seven weeks of rest, having missed the Kentucky Derby due to Baffert’s suspension by Churchill Downs.
D. Wayne Lukas will also send a pair of horses, Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) winner Seize the Grey and Just Steel , who finished two lengths behind Muth and 4 1/4 lengths ahead of Mystik Dan in the Arkansas Derby.
After being roughed around at the start of the Derby, Just Steel pulled jockey Keith Asmussen to the lead. After pressing sharp fractions, he faded to finish 17th. Lukas will change riders to Joel Rosario for the Preakness.
“I think (Rosario) is a good fit,” Lukas said. “We don’t want to change the horse’s style. I don’t blame Keith the last time because he got in trouble and that horse grabbed the bit and pulled him up and there he was on the lead. We’ll try to correct that for the (Preakness).”
Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom is training well toward a potential start in the Preakness, according to trainer Brad Cox. Entries will not be taken for the Preakness until Monday, and Cox will likely make his decision that morning.
“I’m not for sure. … I’d say 50/50 is a great way to look at it,” Cox said. “If he goes, he’ll go Monday after training.”
Other confirmed entrants include Withers Stakes (G3) winner Uncle Heavy , Louisiana Derby (G2) third-place finisher Tuscan Gold and Blue Grass Stakes (G1) fifth-place finisher Mugatu . Federico Tesio Stakes winner Copper Tax is possible.
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