Churchill Downs announced Saturday that Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan returned to winning form with a decisive victory in the Grade III Blame Stakes, marking his first win since capturing the Run for the Roses nearly 400 days ago.
The 4-year-old son of Goldencents delivered a commanding performance under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., crossing the finish line 1 1/4 lengths ahead of his closest competitors in stakes-record time of 1:48.45 for the 1 1/8 miles.
Mystik Dan becomes the first Derby winner to subsequently win a race at Churchill Downs since Silver Charm, who followed his 1997 Derby triumph with a victory in the Grade I Clark Handicap in 1998.
After disappointing performances in the GI Belmont Stakes, GI Malibu Stakes, and GI Pegasus World Cup, trainer Kenneth McPeek maintained unwavering confidence in his colt’s abilities.
“When Mystik Dan is right, he’s such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,” Hernandez said. “Just like in the Derby, today he sits in a nice pocket and let’s you read the race. When you call on him, you know he’s going to jump forward and that’s what he did today.”
The 3-1 third betting choice settled into fourth position along the rail as Alexander Helios set a strong early pace. Hernandez guided his mount around the tiring leader at the five-sixteenths pole before quickly returning to the inside path for the stretch run.
Mystik Dan displayed an impressive turn of foot when asked for his best effort, drawing clear while Antiquarian and Post Time completed the trifecta.
McPeek indicated that Mystik Dan would likely target the Grade I Stephen Foster Stakes on June 28, which serves as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The victory follows Mystik Dan’s encouraging second-place finish to Saudi Crown in the Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn Park on May 3 — exactly one year after his Kentucky Derby triumph.
Bred by Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby and 4G Racing LLC in Kentucky, Mystik Dan is one of two winners from two to race out of the dam Ma’am (by Colonel John). His 3-year-old half-sister Yes Ma’am (Unified) broke her maiden by 3 1/2 lengths at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Kentucky Derby day four weeks ago.
Ma’am, who was bought back on a bid of $2.9 million in foal to Into Mischief at last year’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale, is also the dam of the 2-year-old filly Ford’s Ma’am (Knicks Go) and the yearling colt Mystik Bayou (Wells Bayou).
The Blame Stakes victory increased Mystik Dan’s career earnings to $4,417,570 with a record of 4-3-1 from 13 starts.
Does this look familiar? 2024 Kentucky Derby winner MYSTIK DAN ($8.12) returns to @ChurchillDowns for the first time after that win and rallies up the inside to win the $275,000 Blame Stakes (G3). @b_hernandezjr was in the irons for @KennyMcPeek. pic.twitter.com/f7XghURZ9o
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
Does this look familiar? 2024 Kentucky Derby winner MYSTIK DAN ($8.12) returns to May 31, 2025
