Mystik Dan shocked the racing world by clinching victory at the 150th Kentucky Derby in a breathtaking three-horse photo finish. Despite Fierceness entering as the frontrunner, Mystik Dan outraced Sierra Leone and Forever Young in a thrilling finale, winning by a mere nose. This marked only the 10th time in Derby history that a horse won by such a narrow margin.
Trainer Kenny McPeek made history by winning both the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks in the same weekend, a feat not achieved since 1952. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. skillfully guided Mystik Dan, who started with 18-1 odds, to a stunning upset. The close finish left Churchill Downs in suspense, with officials taking nearly 10 minutes to confirm Mystik Dan’s victory.
Fierceness, the 3-1 favorite, started strong but faded to 15th, unable to maintain the early lead. Mystik Dan seized the lead in the backstretch, but Sierra Leone and Forever Young made a late charge, nearly catching up at the wire. Despite being a favorite throughout the week leading up to the Derby, Fierceness fell short of victory, highlighting the unpredictability of horse racing.
The 2024 Derby boasted a $5 million purse, up from $3 million in 2019, with the winner receiving $3.1 million. The race also marked the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby, with Churchill Downs investing $200 million to enhance the spectator experience.
The race was not without controversy, as 12 horse deaths at the track the previous year led to increased safety measures. Trainer Bob Baffert remained suspended following Medina Spirit’s positive drug test in 2021, reflecting ongoing concerns about racing integrity and safety.