Mystik Dan to Try Turf in the Arlington Million

cky Derby Winner to Make Turf Debut in Arlington Million, with Brian Hernandez Jr. Aboard and Hopes of Adding to His Legacy

Mystik Dan Switches to Turf in Pursuit of History/ ARCHIVO ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

NEW KENT, Virginia (Special for Turf Diario).- Unforgettable winner of the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1), Mystik Dan is set to open a new chapter in his already formidable career when he tries turf for the first time Saturday in the prestigious G1 Arlington Million, now run at Colonial Downs. The bold decision from trainer Kenny McPeek combines daring with belief, as the colt takes on a new surface at the highest level.

A son of Goldencents out of Ma’am, Mystik Dan races for Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm. He drew post one for the 1 1/4-mile contest and will once again be partnered by regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. The Arlington Million headlines a rich day of racing at Colonial, which will offer $2.5 million in stakes purses across seven black-type events.

Mystik Dan has had an intense and headline-making campaign. After his dramatic triumph in the Run for the Roses in May 2024, he remained a major presence throughout the Triple Crown, finishing second in the Preakness Stakes (G1)and third in the Belmont Stakes (G1)—the latter held at Saratoga this year. Returning as a 4-year-old, he resumed in strong form, winning the Blame S. (G3) decisively, finishing runner-up in the Lake Ouachita S. (L), and checking in fourth behind unbeaten Mindframe (Constitution) in the Stephen Foster (G1). His earnings now stand at a robust $4,467,120.

“This horse has done absolutely everything we’ve asked of him,” said McPeek. “The Arlington Million is a G1 at a mile and a quarter—perfect distance for him. I’ve always wanted to try him on the grass, and his last breeze over it on Friday was exceptional. The work was so good, and he came out of it so well, we said, ‘Yes, let’s run.’”

That turf move came August 1, when Mystik Dan covered five furlongs in 1:02.17 over the Oklahoma training turf at Saratoga. The feedback was so positive that the team opted to reroute him to the Arlington Million, where he’ll face a deep field of proven grass runners.

The morning-line favorite at 8-5 is Integration, trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey and ridden by Kendrick Carmouche. Runner-up in this race last year, the Quality Road colt has earned more than $1.6 million and was a dominant winner of the G3 Virginia Derby at Colonial. He’ll be joined by stablemate Fort Washington (War Front), with Junior Alvarado up—the same jockey who guided Sovereignty (Into Mischief) to victory in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

The eight-horse field also includes international contender Cairo (Quality Road), owned by Refai Alghraiban and bred by Coolmore in Ireland. Trained by Alice Haynes, Cairo brings global experience, having raced in Europe and Asia, and arrives off a third-place finish behind elite company in the Queen Anne S. (G1) at Royal Ascot. Ben Curtis, the leading rider at Colonial and defending meet champion, will take the reins.

Other contenders include multiple graded winner Grand Sonata (Medaglia d’Oro, Todd Pletcher), Runaway Storm(Midnight Storm, winner of the G3 Bryan Station), fast-improving allowance winner Vesting (Blue Point, Mike Maker), and longshot Time Song (Not This Time), who will have Luis Saez aboard.

Mystik Dan was installed at 9-2 on the morning line, a price that reflects both the respect for his résumé and the uncertainty surrounding his turf debut. But with proven class, versatility, and heart, he has little left to prove—except perhaps whether the grass will take him to even greater heights.

Saturday’s Colonial Downs festival kicks off at 12:00 p.m. ET with 12 races, all broadcast live on FanDuel TV, which will provide on-site coverage throughout the day. In addition to the Arlington Million, the card features the G2 Beverly D. Stakes for fillies and mares, the G2 Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds, and five additional stakes of varied distances and surfaces, promising a wide range of top-level action.