Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan bids for classic double in Preakness Stakes

May 13, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Mystik Dan, winner of the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) thriller, will try to advance hopes for a Triple Crown in Saturday's 149th Preakness (G1).

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Mystik Dan capitalized on a rail-skimming ride by Brian Hernandez Jr. to spring an 18-1 upset in a three-way photo at Churchill Downs. The near-miss second and third, Sierra Leone and Forever Young, are not in the Preakness, and the slight cutback to 1 3/16 miles can also help.

#3 Mystik Dan takes the 150th Kentucky Derby! #KentuckyDerby150 #KYDerby150

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/hYbi8AghlB

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 4, 2024

Imagination comes off a close runner-up effort in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), and he keeps legendary jockey Frankie Dettori aboard.

D. Wayne Lukas is also double-handed with Just Steel, who faded to an uncharacteristic 17th in the Derby, and Seize the Grey, winner of the Pat Day Mile (G2) on Derby Day.

The only other Derby alum in the field is fourth-placer Catching Freedom from the Brad Cox barn. Victorious in the Louisiana Derby (G2) two back, he will renew rivalry with Chad Brown's Tuscan Gold, who was an inexperienced third at Fair Grounds.

Rounding out the cast are Withers (G3) scorer Uncle Heavy, most recently fifth in the Wood Memorial (G2), and Mugatu, the Blue Grass (G1) fifth who did not get into the Kentucky Derby as an also-eligible.