By Alan Carasso
Since his upset victory in the GI Kentucky Derby nearly 400 days ago, not a whole lot had gone right for Mystik Dan (Goldencents). Yes, he was a meritorious second to a loose-on-the-lead Seize the Grey (Arrogate) in the GI Preakness Stakes, but he subsequently failed to shine in the GI Belmont Stakes, the GI Malibu Stakes when racing first off a 6 1/2-month absence and the GI Pegasus World Cup, defeating a total of four horses.
Trainer Ken McPeek has remained unflappable and unwavering in his belief that Mystik Dan still had more to give as an older horse, saying earlier this week that the colt had thrived back at Churchill Downs in the weeks following his bounce-back second to the classy Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) in the Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn on the one-year anniversary of his Derby on May 3. McPeek's convictions, and those of jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., were well and truly validated Saturday afternoon when Mystik Dan rolled through the final two furlongs to take the GIII Blame Stakes in a fashion more convincing than the 1 1/4-length margin of victory might suggest.
Off as the 3-1 third betting choice, Mystik Dan was content to take the sit from fourth while racing hard against the inside running rail as Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince) set a strong early pace in advance of Antiquarian (Preservationist) and a three-deep 'TDN Rising Star' Hall of Fame (Gun Runner).
Ridden quietly through the middle furlongs while continuing to hug the fence, Mystik Dan was steered out and around Alexander Helios when that one hoisted the white flag at the five-sixteenths and was just as quickly back down onto the fence once heads were turned for home. Displaying a good kick when popped the question in earnest, Mystik Dan went on with things and proved clearly best in stakes-record time, as a resurgent Antiquarian and late-running Post Time (Frosted) rounded out the minor placings.
Mystik Dan becomes the first Derby winner to subsequently win a race beneath the Twin Spires since Silver Charm backed up his win in the 1997 Run for the Roses in the GI Clark Handicap in 1998.
“When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,” Hernandez, Jr. 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. We got that spot turning for home and he showed why he won the Kentucky Derby in the past. It's a testament to the horse. He makes these kind of trips easy, I just have to point him in the right direction.”
McPeek indicated that Mystik Dan would more than likely represent the stable in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' qualified for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic on June 28.
Pedigree Notes:
Bred on a similar cross to Grade III winner Mr. Money and on a variant of the cross that produced GISW and champion Wonder Wheel and GI La Troienne Stakes heroine Played Hard, Mystik Dan is one of now two winners from two to race out of Ma'am, whose 3-year-old daughter Yes Ma'am (Unified) won her maiden by 3 1/2 lengths at Horseshoe Indianapolis–ironically enough–on Kentucky Derby day four weeks ago.
Second dam Lady Siphonica, dam of the Hong Kong stakes-placed Renaissance Art (More Than Ready), was a full-sister to Siphonic, winner of the 2001 GI Hollywood Futurity and a half-sister to SW Mountain Girl (Mountain Cat). Also appearing under the third dam are GISW Laragh (Tapit) and MGSW & MGISP Summer Front (War Front).
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).
Saturday, Churchill Downs
BLAME S.-GIII, $270,000, Churchill Downs, 5-31, 4yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:48.45, ft.
1–MYSTIK DAN, 118, c, 4, by Goldencents
1st Dam: Ma'am, by Colonel John
2nd Dam: Lady Siphonica, by Siphon (Brz)
3rd Dam: Cherokee Crossing, by Cherokee Colony
O-Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC; B-Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby & 4G Racing LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $166,710. Lifetime Record: GISW & MGISP, 13-4-3-1, $4,417,570. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Antiquarian, 118, c, 4, Preservationist–Lifetime Memory, by Istan. ($250,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Centennial Farms; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $54,100.
3–Post Time, 118, h, 5, Frosted–Vielsalm, by Fairbanks. ($85,000 Ylg '21 EASOCT). O-Hillwood Stable LLC; B-Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Dr. Brooke Bowman & Milton P Higgins III (MD); T-Brittany T. Russell. $22,050.
Margins: 1 1/4, HD, 1. Odds: 3.06, 9.34, 2.41.
Also Ran: Hall of Fame, Banishing, Tennessee Lamb, Alexander Helios. Scratched: Best Actor, Katonah, Most Wanted.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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) May 31, 2025
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