Derby Winner Mystik Dan Resumes Training at Magdalena

Mystik Dan has resumed under-tack training at Kenny McPeek's Magdalena Farm near Lexington as the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner returns from a freshening after an eighth-place finish in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Owned by Four G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm, Mystik Dan was training over the summer at Saratoga but McPeek opted to give the colt time off following his Triple Crown campaign. He ran in all three legs of the series, finishing second in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course between his Derby triumph and Belmont Stakes effort. "He looks fantastic. There's a whole lot of hindquarter back on him," McPeek said. "This is going to do him a lot of good." Mystik Dan is being ridden at Magdalena Farm by retired jockey Robby Albarado, who most notably partnered with McPeek in 2020 when Swiss Skydiver won the Preakness Stakes. When Albarado retired from the saddle in 2021 he began working for McPeek, including riding Mystik Dan when he was a 2-year-old. Albarado also accompanied Mystik Dan to Pimlico to gallop the colt leading up to the Preakness. McPeek stated he had no immediate target in mind for the Goldencents colt, though his owners have suggested a return to racing during the winter.