Mystik Dan on top of his game in $275,000 Blame S. (G3)
May 31, 2025
Goldencents’ 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) Mystik Dan returned to the site of his greatest victory on Saturday and came home a 1 ¼-length victor in the $275,000 Blame S. (G3) at the Louisville oval.
After a couple of uncharacteristic performances over the winter, 4-year-old Mystik Dan got a few months away from the races before he returned to action on May 3rd at Oaklawn Park, where he was beaten just a nose in the Lake Ouachita S. in a gallant effort.
Saturday at Churchill Downs, the bay colt got back to his winning ways with a stalking trip in the 1 1/16-mile affair. Racing tightly against the rail behind horses for the first seven furlongs, Mystik Dan cut the corner turning for home and powered to the front in just a few strides. With Brian Hernandez, Jr. urging him on, he came home powerfully to stop the timer in 1:48.45 on a fast track.
“It’s continued to be a team effort,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “I have a great group of people who’s been around this horse. In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown. We got him back to his old self. I’m just so proud of him and the job Brian did with him.”
Mystik Dan is owned by the partnership of Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC. His record now stands at 4-3-1 in 13 starts, with earnings of $4,417,570. He was bred by Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby & 4G Racing LLC.
“The Stephen Foster is right here in a month,” McPeek said of Churchill’s marquee race of the meet for older horses. “We have another good horse in Gould’s Gold, who set a track record here. So, we have a little bit of a dilemma. Both horses will be nominated and we’ll make a decision on whether we keep them together or separate them. I’m sure Brian will probably stay on ‘Dan’ but we’ll discuss those details as they come.”
Mystik Dan is one of more than 30 black type winners worldwide for Goldencents, and is the leading lifetime earner for his sire. In addition to Mystik Dan, this year Goldencents has accounted for Grade 1 winner Positano Sunset and Grade 3 winner Lastchanceatglory.