Mystik Dan seems fine after Malibu misfire

ARCADIA, Calif. - A last-place finish by Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in Thursday’s Grade 1 Malibu Stakes has left trainer Kenny McPeek perplexed.

McPeek said on Friday morning that Mystik Dan emerged from the Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds without incident.

“It’s a real head-scratcher,” McPeek said. “He ate up after the race and he’s sound. He came out great.”

Mystik Dan was beaten 11 1/4 lengths as the 3-1 second choice of six in the $300,500 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs. Mystik Dan was fifth on the backstretch, trailing by more than six lengths. He posed no threat in the stretch.

The Malibu was Mystik Dan’s first start since an eighth-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga in June, and his first start in a sprint since a win in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs in November 2023.

“Maybe it was the challenge of the distance,” McPeek said of the Malibu. “He just ran flat. Physically, he’s not showing any reason for it.”

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Mystik Dan has won 3 of 10 starts and earned $4,161,860 for the partnership of Four G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby, and Valley View Farm.

Mystik Dan will be shipped out of California in the near future, although McPeek said he does not have specific plans.

“I’m working on getting him back East, to Oaklawn Park or Kentucky,” he said.

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