Flippantly regarded Mystik Dan scored a thrilling upset at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, winning by a nose and bringing a job Triple Crown to trainer Kenny McPeek.
Rail-using Mystik Dan trapped his nose in front of 2nd favorite Sierra Leone for the remarkable a few-horse picture-end victory that took many minutes to hash out.
“I was not certain if we had received,” jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. explained to NBC Athletics shortly after the race. “So it was very a hurry to sit below and wait around for it.”
Mystik Dan came into the Derby with a reasonably thin resume that provided a third-location complete at the Arkansas Derby and a win at the Quality III Southwest Stakes.
It was the initially Derby triumph for each McPeek and Hernandez. McPeek had previously properly trained filly Swiss Skydiver, the 2020 Preakness Stakes winner, and Sarava, lengthy-shot winner of the 2002 Belmont Stakes.
McPeek effusively praised Hernandez and his experience.
“Just a outstanding, brilliant, good, amazing jockey and journey,” the coach mentioned. “Brian’s awesome.”
Mystik Dan’s Triple Crown quest will continue on on May well 18 with the 149th working of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.
Before Saturday’s 12th race at Churchill Downs unfolded, famous people and big hats filled the clubhouse, grandstands and paddock beneath Louisville’s famed twin spires.
Wynonna Judd carried out the national anthem, top a stable of boldface names from the amusement entire world such as Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Tucker, Kid Rock, Jack Harlow, Jimmy Fallon, Travis Tritt, Josh Groban, Holly Robinson Peete and Richie Sambora.
Life-style maven Martha Stewart and football figures this kind of as dateless Travis Kelce, Aaron Rodgers, Jameis Winston, Isiah Pacheco and Emmett Smith have been also in attendance.
The Derby working day also involved a host of other huge-income races.
Long shot Trikari rallied to a thrilling upset victory in the American Turf Stakes. The 47-1 darkish horse roared past most loved Formidable Male in the ultimate strides of the $600,000 race.
Gun Pilot pulled absent to victory at the $1 million Churchill Downs Stakes, introducing to the extended profitable resume of trainer Steve Asmussen.
Software Investing edged Naval Power to radically win the $1 million Turf Basic Stakes.
Seize The Gray received the $600,000 Pat Day Mile Stakes.
Chili Flag took the $750,000 Churchill Distaff Turk Miles Stakes.
Vahva rallied late to earn the $100,000 Derby Town Distaff.
Cogburn raced to victory at the $600,000 Turf Sprint Stakes.
