The 150th Kentucky Derby featured a thrilling finish with Mystik Dan crossing the wire first, narrowly edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young. The three-horse photo finish was the closest since 1947, adding to the excitement of the historic race. Mystik Dan, an 18-1 shot, surprised many by taking the victory, with a delayed outcome as the result was reviewed and declared official by the stewards.
The race saw Mystik Dan find another gear at the top of the stretch, as jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. expertly maneuvered him through an opening created by Track Phantom drifting off the rail. The bay colt surged ahead and held off Sierra Leone and Forever Young in a dramatic final stretch. Despite some bumping between Sierra Leone and Forever Young, no foul claim was made by jockey Ryusei Sakai, allowing the result to stand.
The win earned Mystik Dan a share of the record $5 million purse, with the jockey and trainer typically earning 10% each. Trainer Kenny McPeek praised Hernandez’s brilliant ride, highlighting the underrated jockey’s skill in guiding the horse to victory. Sierra Leone and Forever Young, the second and third-place finishers, narrowly missed out on victory, with Sierra Leone being the most expensive horse in the race at $2.3 million.
The close finish at the 150th Kentucky Derby drew a crowd of 156,710 spectators, the largest since 2018. The race marked only the 10th time in history that the Derby was decided by a nose, making it a memorable and historic event in horse racing. Mystik Dan’s victory was an unexpected triumph, reminiscent of McPeek’s previous upset win in the 2002 Belmont Stakes with Sarava, who dashed War Emblem’s Triple Crown hopes.
The winning owners, cousins Lance and Brent Gasaway and Daniel Hamby III from Arkansas, celebrated their victory with pride, having bred Mystik Dan from humble origins. The surreal feeling of winning such a prestigious race with a “working-class horse” resonated with the owners, highlighting the unpredictability and magic of the sport. Mystik Dan’s victory paid $39.22, $16.32, and $10 in the betting pools, rewarding those who believed in the underdog.
The thrilling conclusion of the 150th Kentucky Derby left spectators on the edge of their seats, with Mystik Dan’s dramatic victory etching his name into the annals of Derby history. The tight finish, with three horses crossing the wire within noses of each other, added to the spectacle and excitement of one of the most prestigious races in horse racing. As Mystik Dan and his connections basked in the glory of their unexpected triumph, the world marveled at the magic and unpredictability of the sport that continues to captivate audiences around the globe.
