Unsure Plans For a hundred and fiftieth Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan, Others Depart Questions For Preakness

LOUISVILLE, Ky.: The second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown could possibly be lacking a hundred and fiftieth Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and different co-stars, quashing hopes for a rematch after the thrilling three-wide picture end within the milestone race.

Coach Kenny McPeek and the horse’s possession wouldn’t commit as to whether the colt would race within the 149th Preakness on Could 18 in Baltimore, which requires a fast two-week turnaround. Mystik Dan will journey to Saratoga, New York, earlier than they resolve whether or not to enter him within the 1 3/16 mile Preakness.

“We’re not dedicated to the Preakness, not but,” McPeek mentioned Sunday morning outdoors his barn on Churchill Downs’ again facet. “I ran him again as soon as in two weeks and it fully backfired on me. … So, we’ll simply watch him over the following week. It’ll be a kind of (conditions) the place we’ll in all probability take it as much as the final minute.

“We’ll let him inform us.”

The picturesque observe in upstate New York will host the Triple Crown’s closing jewel for the following three years whereas Belmont Park is being reconstructed. The Belmont has additionally been shortened to a 1 1/4 mile, matching the Derby distance that Mystik Dan gained by a nostril over Sierra Leone and Japan-bred Ceaselessly Younger within the closest three-way end since 1947.

The five-week hole follows a extra regular race schedule for a lot of thoroughbreds and a few trainers may decide to go to Saratoga to acclimate horses sooner.

Chad Brown mentioned Sierra Leone will skip the Preakness and go away on Monday to coach at Saratoga and run the Belmont. Contemplating how a lot it took for Sierra Leone to navigate different horses and chase down Mystik Dan earlier than falling a nostril brief on the wire, relaxation sounds crucial.

“He’s an actual laid again horse however after we introduced him out, was somewhat extra drained than he usually is after his races,” Brown mentioned. “I believe giving him the 5 weeks to the Belmont is certainly the best factor to do.”

Louisville-born coach Brad Cox is watching Catching Freedom (fourth) and Simply A Contact (twentieth) earlier than deciding their subsequent steps. Ceaselessly Younger and fellow Japan-bred T O Password (fifth) are headed residence on Tuesday.

That might go away the Preakness with out some Derby star energy at first look, although it gained’t lack for plotlines with quite a lot of well-rested horses anticipated to compete at Pimlico Race Course.

Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert may have two entrants as he seeks to observe up Nationwide Treasure’s victory there final spring. He trains Santa Anita Derby runner-up Creativeness and Arkansas Derby winner Muth, who missed the Derby after failed authorized makes an attempt by proprietor Amr Zedan to get him in regardless of Baffert’s suspension by Churchill Downs via the tip of 2024.

As McPeek and the house owners ponder a choice, he and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. basked in a wash of congratulations for a Derby victory that put them in unique firm.

Saturday’s win helped each declare uncommon weekend sweeps of the Derby and Kentucky Oaks for fillies. McPeek is simply the third coach to try this and first since Ben Jones (who did it twice) in 1952, whereas Hernandez is the eighth rider to realize the feat and first since fellow Louisiana native and Corridor of Famer Calvin Borel in 2009.

In the meantime, Mystik Dan simply stood calm and unfazed as a cluster of onlookers took photographs and selfies as staff bathed him outdoors the barn. He was then draped with the winner’s blanket signifying his Derby win earlier than being led again to his stall with a WWE-style title belt laying on an outer wall. Oaks-winning filly Thorpedo Anna additionally made a quick look and soaked within the consideration.

Hernandez is making ready for his personal life-changing highlight and title after claiming the game’s marquee race. He dined along with his household after the Derby however didn’t sleep a lot, a routine that figures to go on for the following few days amid a flood of interview requests. Sooner or later he hopes to get his thoughts round all that has occurred, however he already has a response prepared.

“When any person asks what my career is, I’m capable of inform them I’m an expert jockey. After which the primary query they usually ask is, ‘Have you ever ever gained the Kentucky Derby?’ I can say that now.”

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AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Related Press)