As much as extending 2024 by a few months would not bother trainer Kenny McPeek, he's already looking forward to 2025.
Both of the stars that have made 2024 a career year for McPeek are scheduled to run next year with Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan set to start in the Dec. 26 $300,000 Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park and the filly Thorpedo Anna, the clubhouse leader in the Horse of the Year race, targeting either the April 5 $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) or the April 12 $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Mystik Dan, a son of Goldencents , is already at Santa Anita preparing for the seven-furlong Malibu. It would be his first start since he finished eighth in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) following a runner-up finish in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and his victory in the Run for the Roses.
"He arrived in California (Dec. 18) and he has a week to get ready for the Malibu," McPeek said.
Owned by 4 G Racing, Valley View Farm, Lance Gasaway, and Daniel Hamby III, Mystik Dan has won 3 of 9 starts with earnings of $4,161,360. He was bred by Gasaway, Hamby, and 4 G Racing.
Thorpedo Anna is currently at McPeek's Magdalena Farm in Lexington getting a well-deserved rest after a 2024 campaign that included wins in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) and a second against colts in the Travers Stakes (G1). A no-brainer as the champion 3-year-old filly, her mark of six wins in 7 2024 starts—five of the wins in grade 1 company—puts her atop the list of candidates for Horse of the Year honors.
McPeek said the daughter of Fast Anna will be shipped to Silverleaf Hills Training Center in Ocala, Fla., in the next few days and then in early January will join McPeek at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to begin training for her 4-year-old campaign.
"She will be nominated to both the Dubai World Cup and the Apple Blossom and she'll run in one of them," he said.
Owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing, Thorpedo Anna has won 8 of 10 career starts with earnings of $3,843,663. She was bred by Hicks.
Together Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna have been at the forefront of a career-best year for McPeek, who has 84 wins in 2024 with earnings of $15,893,896. His previous best for earnings was $10,779,656 last year.
His 2024 résumé also includes six grade 1 wins and his first Breeders' Cup victory after seven seconds. He also became the fifth active trainer to win all three legs of the Triple Crown.
In his career, he has 2,069 wins with earnings of $131,589,350.
