Belmont Stakes Contender: Mystik Dan
Mystik Dan, trained by Kenny McPeek, is a top contender for the Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up has shown remarkable form and resilience. Mystik Dan will attempt to conquer the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga after a solid performance at Pimlico.
The 156th Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 8, at Saratoga Race Course. This year’s race is shortened to 1 ¼ miles due to the ongoing renovations at Belmont Park, making Saratoga the temporary home for the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Training and Recent Performance
Mystik Dan breezed 5 furlongs on Saturday, June 1, over Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track, clocking in at 1:01.44 with a final quarter in 24.88 seconds. Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed his entry after bloodwork came back normal and the colt showed a healthy appetite, signaling his readiness for the Belmont Stakes.
Career Highlights
Mystik Dan’s career record stands at 8-3-2-1, with impressive earnings of $4,141,360. His most recent race was the Preakness on May 18, where he finished second. His top Equibase speed figure is 110. Mystik Dan’s pedigree includes Goldencents and Ma’am by Colonel John.
Betting Perspective
Mystik Dan’s Belmont Stakes odds are set at 5-1. As a serious win contender, he belongs on all betting tickets. His ability to perform well off short rest demonstrated at Pimlico, enhances his appeal for those looking to bet on horses in the Belmont Stakes.
Trainer’s Insight
McPeek describes Mystik Dan as “a very easy horse to train. He’s sort of a quiet type, an old soul. He’s not a very big horse and very efficient. He’s very uneventful.” This laid-back demeanor helps conserve the energy needed for his third Grade 1 race in five weeks. McPeek, who has a career Triple Crown, believes Mystik Dan is capable of winning at 1 ¼ miles again.
Race Details
– Post Position: 3
– Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
– Trainer: Kenny McPeek
– Owner: Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III, Valley View Farm
– Career Record: 8-3-2-1
– Career Earnings: $4,141,360
– Most Recent Race: Preakness, May 18 (2nd)
– Top Equibase Speed Figure: 110
– Pedigree: Goldencents – Ma’am, by Colonel John
– Color: Bay
– Running Style: Stalker
Historic Streak for Mystik Dan
This year marks only the second time since 1925 that the Belmont Stakes won’t be run at 1½ miles. Mystik Dan’s bid for the Belmont Stakes is part of a historic series, as he and Seize the Grey are the first classic winners to compete in the entire series since Justify swept it in 2018.
McPeek, who has previously won the Belmont in 2002 with Sarava and the 2020 Preakness with Swiss Skydiver, also celebrated a unique double victory with the Kentucky Oaks and Derby wins this year.
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seize The Grey | Jaime Torres | D. Wayne Lukas | MyRacehorse | 8-1 |
| 2 | Resilience | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott | Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman | 10-1 |
| 3 | Mystik Dan | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | Kenneth McPeek | Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC & Daniel Hamby III | 5-1 |
| 4 | The Wine Steward | Manny Franco | Mike Maker | Paradise Farms Corp. and Staudacher, David | 15-1 |
| 5 | Antiquarian | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Centennial Farms | 12-1 |
| 6 | Dornoch | Luis Saez | Danny Gargan | West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Two Eight Racing LLC & Pine Racing Stable | 15-1 |
| 7 | Protective | Tyler Gaffalione | Todd Pletcher | Repole Stable | 20-1 |
| 8 | Honor Marie | Florent Geroux | Whit Beckman | Ribble Farms LLC | 12-1 |
| 9 | Sierra Leone | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, LLC and Brant, Peter M. | 9-5 |
| 10 | Mindframe | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd Pletcher | Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC | 7-2 |