Mystik Dan Returns to Winning Ways in Blame Stakes After Yearlong Drought

The 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) hero returned to his favorite track and delivered with authority, scoring a comfortable victory at Churchill Downs

Mystik Dan finished strongly and could now be headed toward a start in the G1 Stephen Foster/ CHURCHILL DOWNS

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- Mystik Dan found his way back to the winner’s circle for the first time since his stirring victory in the historic 150th G1 Kentucky Derby, powering home to a decisive 1 1/4-length win over Antiquarian (Preservationist) in Saturday’s G3 Blame S. at Churchill Downs, the centerpiece of Stephen Foster Preview Day.

Back on the track where he made history, the Goldencents colt looked right at home under regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr., who once again guided him to a ground-saving trip along the rail. Just as in his Derby triumph, Mystik Dan launched his bid turning for home, slipped through inside, and kicked clear decisively for his first win in six starts since that unforgettable nose decision over Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Forever Young (Real Steel).

“When he’s right, he’s so much fun to ride—he just makes my job easy,” Hernandez Jr. said afterward.

Trained by Kenny McPeek and campaigned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm LLC, the bay colt completed the 1 1/8-mile test over a fast track in a sharp 1:48.45, setting a new stakes record and edging out last year’s winning time of 1:48.51 set by Highland Falls (Curlin).

Saturday’s victory was worth $166,710, boosting Mystik Dan’s career earnings to $4,417,570.

The early tempo was swift, with Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince) carving out splits of :22.93 and :46.82, pressed by Antiquarian, while Hall of Fame (Gun Runner) tracked in third and Mystik Dan settled in a perfect stalking spot along the inside. After six furlongs in 1:11.14, Antiquarian took over as Alexander Helios weakened, but Mystik Dan found his rhythm, again hugging the rail and unleashing a powerful finish to put the race away inside the final furlong.

“Just like in the Derby, he put me in a great spot and let me read the race,” Hernandez added. “When you call on him, he responds instantly, and that’s what he did today. We saw an opening in the lane, and he showed why he’s a Kentucky Derby winner. He’s a special horse. He makes it all look easy—I just point him in the right direction.”

Third in his seasonal debut in the Lake Ouachita S. (L) at Oaklawn on May 3—beaten narrowly by Saudi Crown(Always Dreaming)—Mystik Dan went postward as the 3-1 third choice in the betting.

“This was a team effort,” said McPeek. “I’ve got a great group behind this horse. Hindsight is 20/20, and there are a few post-Triple Crown races I’d probably skip if I had the chance again. But we’ve got him back to being himself. I’m proud of the horse and of the job Brian did.”

The Blame Stakes, now in its sixth running, honors Blame, the champion older male of 2010 and the only horse ever to defeat Zenyatta (Street Cry), famously doing so in that year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.

As part of the Stephen Foster Preview Day, Saturday’s stakes-laden card serves as a lead-in to the million-dollar G1 Stephen Foster S., set for June 28 over the same 1 1/8-mile distance.

“The Stephen Foster is only a month away,” McPeek noted. “We’ve also got another nice horse in Gould’s Gold(Goldencents), who set a track record here. So we’ve got a bit of a dilemma. Both will be nominated, and we’ll decide whether to run them together or keep them apart. I’d say Brian probably sticks with Dan, but we’ll talk about that in time.”