Take Charge Milady to be bred to Mystik Dan before return to training

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Mystik Dan, who won the Southwest Stakes in 2024 before going on to capture the Kentucky Derby, enters stud this year and will have the support of mares owned by his trainer, Kenny McPeek, and some of his clients. They include Take Charge Milady, who won last year’s Martha Washington at Oaklawn.

“She’s going to be bred to Mystik Dan,” McPeek said. “We’re just simply going to get her covered early and put her back in training for the spring and summer.

“We’re going to be taking about 20-plus mares to Mystik Dan this spring.”

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McPeek said there are a number of reasons Mystik Dan is an attractive young stallion prospect.

“The sire line, the Harlan’s Holiday line, I’m quite familiar with,” he said, “and I think this is a better horse than Harlan’s Holiday was at the same stage. I mean he earned more money. He won the Derby. Harlan’s Holiday didn’t. I think he’s got the potential to be a fantastic stallion.”

Mystik Dan retired to Airdrie Stud with earnings of $4.8 million.

◗ Silver Syndicate, a son of Liam’s Map, debuts in the fifth race Friday for the partnership of Oaklawn president Lou Cella and media mogul Dave Portnoy.

◗ Oaklawn will be the site of handicapping tournaments on Friday and Saturday.

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