Preakness Stakes News | Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan Confirmed for Preakness 149

The Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan will run in the 149^th Preakness Stakes (G1) May 18 at Pimlico Race Course, trainer Kenny McPeek announced Saturday morning.

Mystik Dan had a routine 1 ½-mile gallop at Churchill Downs Saturday morning under retired jockey Robby Albarado, who will be part of the Derby winner’s travel team to Baltimore, much as he was in 2020 when he rode the filly Swiss Skydiver to a Preakness victory for McPeek. The difference this time is that Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Mystik Dan in his races.

McPeek told the media afterward that he would have Mystik Dan undergo an endoscopic exam just to ensure everything was normal, after which he planned to call owners Lance Gasaway and Sharilyn Gasaway for the final discussion. McPeek texted the Preakness media team afterward to confirm everything was a go for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.

“The horse is doing fantastic,” he said after Mystik Dan trained. “I’ve already kind of arranged the logistics of it all. We just need to hammer out a couple of small details.”

 The Derby winner is expected to arrive at Pimlico mid-afternoon Sunday.

Mystik Dan will get a rematch in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness with Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Muth. Mystik Dan finished third that day, his first race in seven weeks after he was a romping winner of Oaklawn Park’s Southwest Stakes (G3) in the slop.

“He was ready for the Arkansas Derby,” McPeek said. “I’m not going to use that as an excuse. But he did get turned sideways in that turn, and Brian felt that cost him three or four lengths. But the horse fought back, fortunately…. I’m optimistic we can give (Muth) another run.”

 Albarado said Mystik Dan “felt great” during Saturday morning’s training session, his fourth day back at the track after the Derby and the third day with the two-time Preakness-winning jockey up.

“I thought every day would be a progression for him, and it is,” Albarado said. “He’s starting to get back in that race mode now. Today, I let him stretch his legs a little bit down the lane. He was comfortable doing it, wanted to do it.

“He’s so aware of where the stretch is. You don’t have to move on him. He does it on his own. That’s the sign of good horses,” he added. “They know their surroundings, where they’re at. That’s the advantage of going to Pimlico early. Like with Swiss Skydiver. All week she got better and better. By the time Saturday came around, she was comfortable. She knew right where she was.”

Hernandez was working another horse for McPeek when the Derby winner was on the track but saw the tail end of the gallop.

“He looked good coming down the backside there, pretty strong and looked happy with himself,” Hernandez said, adding that Albarado and he talk “10-15 minutes” every morning after Mystik Dan trains. “Robby knows what he’s doing out there. He knows what a good horse feels like, how to get a good one around there. So, it’s a lot of insights…. He’s been a huge asset.”

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