Stephen Foster Preview: Mystik Dan ‘couldn’t be doing any better’

Churchill Downs media notes by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media/Renee Torbit photo of Mystik Dan and jockey Brian Hernandez winning the 2024 Kentucky Derby)

LOUISVILLE, KY (Friday, May 30, 2025) – Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is set to make his return beneath the historic Twin Spires on Saturday at Churchill Downs in the $275,000 Blame Stakes (Grade III), and trainer Kenny McPeek couldn’t be more pleased with his progression into the race.

          “He couldn’t be doing any better going into the race,” McPeek said. “I really like his chances by what he’s shown us in the mornings coming back here at Churchill Downs.”

          Mystik Dan, who has yet to find the winner’s circle since his victory in Kentucky Derby 150, finished second by a scant nose to Saudi Crown in the Lake Ouachita Stakes earlier this month at Oaklawn. Owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm, Mystik Dan will be reunited with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the Blame Stakes.

          “It’s a good field on Saturday,” Hernandez said. “There are some classy and accomplished horses in the race but Mystik Dan has trained great going into this race.”

In recent years, only a handful of Kentucky Derby winners have returned to race at Churchill Downs. Rich Strike, the 2022 winner, finished second in both the Lukas Classic (GII) and Clark (GII) later that year. Mandaloun, elevated to first in the 2021 Derby, ran fourth in the 2022 Stephen Foster (GI). Always Dreaming, the 2017 winner, finished fifth in the 2018 Stephen Foster. Mine That Bird, who won in 2009, came back in 2010 and finished eighth in the Wise Dan (GII), then known as the Firecracker Handicap.

The last Derby winner to win another race at Churchill Downs was Silver Charm, who was victorious in the 1998 Clark.

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Blame Stakes serves as the local prep for the $1 million Stephen Foster (Grade I) on June 28. Stephen Foster Preview Day’s stakes action also includes the $275,000 Aristides (GIII) (Race 6); $275,000 Arlington (GIII) (Race 9); $275,000 Regret (GIII) (Race 11); $275,000 Shawnee (GIII) (Race 8); and $275,000 Audubon (Listed) (Race 7). First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the Blame set as Race 10 at 5:27 p.m.

          The field for the Blame from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

• Katonah (Gerardo Corrales, Doug O’Neill, 20-1)
• Alexander Helios (Irad Ortiz Jr., Saffie Joseph Jr., 6-1)
• Antiquarian (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 15-1)
• Mystik Dan (Hernandez, McPeek, 4-1)
• Best Actor (Rafael Bejarano, Ed Moger Jr., 30-1)
• Hall of Fame (Jose Ortiz, Steve Asmussen, 8-1)
• Most Wanted (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 7-2)
• Banishing (Flavien Prat, David Jacobson, 9-2)
• Post Time (Sheldon Russell, Brittany Russell, 3-1)
• Tennessee Lamb (Luis Saez, Rusty Arnold II, 15-1)

Most Wanted is cross-entered in a one-mile allowance race Sunday and is likely to run there, according to trainer Brad Cox.

With the stakes comprising the final six races of the day, there will be an all-stakes sequence for the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot, Late Pick 5 and Late Pick 4.

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated. 

MOVIN’ ON UP TABBED AS 7-2 FAVORITE IN OLD FORESTER MINT JULEP STAKES – Ken Ramsey’s Movin’ On Up, third recently in the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (Grade II), is slated as the 7-2 morning line favorite against 10 fellow turf specialists entered in Sunday’s $250,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

Run at 1 1/16 miles on turf, the Old Forester Mint Julep will go as Race 9 at 4:55 p.m. (all times Eastern), first post is 12:45 p.m.

Movin’ On Up, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., finished one length behind Simply In Front and Pin Up Betty in the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, where she was the 2-1 favorite. The 4-year-old daughter of Accelerate has recorded three wins for Ramsey and Joseph since being claimed for $35,000 from trainer Brendan Walsh in late 2023. Her victories include a three-length score in the Sand Springs Stakes on March 29 at Gulfstream Park.

          The field for the Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

• Serene Seraph (IRE) (Joel Rosario, Bill Mott, 15-1)
• Movin’ On Up (Frankie Dettori, Joseph, 7-2)
• Venencia (FR) (Flavien Prat, Chad Brown, 12-1)
• Duvet Day (IRE) (Florent Geroux, Michael McCarthy, 10-1)
• Adrasteia (Ben Curtis, Fergus Bogle, 12-1)
• Neon Icon (Edgar Morales, Rusty Arnold II, 20-1)
• Gavea (GER) (Brian Hernandez Jr., Al Stall Jr., 20-1)
• Pin Up Betty (Luis Saez, Mike Maker, 5-1)
• Charlene’s Dream (Rafael Bejarano, Ed Moger Jr., 9-2)
• No Mo Candy (Irad Ortiz Jr., Saffie Joseph Jr., 5-1)
• Deep Satin (Jose Ortiz, Cherie DeVaux, 4-1)

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated. 

DOWN THE STRETCH – Following steady early-morning rain showers, Friday’s two turf races were moved to the main track, which began the day listed as “sloppy”. First post for the nine-race program was 12:45 p.m. The Derby City 6 Jackpot had a $56,766 carryover beginning in Race 4. … Friday’s episode of “Inside Churchill Downs” will feature a full rundown of Stephen Foster Preview Day. The one-hour program will stream live on www.espnlouisville.com at 6 p.m. and those in the Louisville area can listen live on ESPN 680/105.7. … For more information about the Churchill Downs Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com