Trainer Kenny McPeek is on the brink of a significant career milestone after securing victories in the 1 1/16-mile qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Oaklawn.
Mystik Dan and Band of Gold, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., emerged triumphant in their respective races.
Band of Gold showcased a remarkable burst of speed in the $250,000 Martha Washington Stakes, winning by an impressive margin of 2 ¾ lengths. The dynamic duo of McPeek and Hernandez then clinched another victory in the $800,000 G3-Southwest Stakes with Mystik Dan. The colt's remarkable eight-length victory was the second-largest in the race since its extension to 1 1/16 miles in 2013.
McPeek's win with Mystik Dan marked his 1,994th career North American victory, a significant achievement according to Equibase, the official data gathering organisation for horse racing. Mystik Dan's outstanding performance earned him a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 101, a personal best, solidifying his position as a rising star in the racing world.
With 20 qualifying points collected from the Southwest Stakes victory, Mystik Dan currently ranks third on the official Kentucky Derby leaderboard compiled by Churchill Downs. As the series of qualifying races at Oaklawn continues, the next challenges for the colt include the $1.25 million G2-Rebel Stakes on February 24 and the nine-furlong $1.5 million G1 Arkansas Derby on March 30.
McPeek expressed his satisfaction with Mystik Dan's condition following the Southwest Stakes, stating that the colt is expected to make his next appearance in the Arkansas Derby. Taking a calculated risk, McPeek decided to give Mystik Dan another opportunity to perform well in a two-turn race after finishing fifth in Oaklawn's first Kentucky Derby points race, the Smarty Jones Stakes.
To prepare for the Southwest Stakes, McPeek sent Mystik Dan to Fair Grounds due to adverse weather conditions at Oaklawn, which led to an 11-day closure of the track for training. The colt trained twice at Fair Grounds before returning to Oaklawn, where he delivered a dominant performance and emerged victorious among a competitive field of 10 Southwest opponents.
The success of Mystik Dan holds a special significance for Lance Gasaway, one of the breeders and owners of the colt, as he was bred out of McPeek-trained Ma'am, a daughter of Colonel John. Ma'am, who Gasaway and Daniel Hamby III bred and raced in partnership, had a successful racing career before transitioning into a broodmare role. The breeding recommendation from McPeek proved fruitful, as Mystik Dan showcased exceptional speed and promising potential.
In his young career, Mystik Dan has won two of his five starts and accumulated earnings of $510,110. His impressive performances have captured the attention of racing enthusiasts and have set the stage for an exciting future in the sport.