Kentucky Derby Hero Mystik Dan Now Likely Favorite for Preakness 149
At 1h56, on May 16, 2024 • By PREAKNESS STAKES
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan is expected to become the betting favorite for Saturday’s 149th Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course with morning-line choice Muth’s withdrawal Wednesday morning after developing a temperature.
“It’s a fragile game; it can happen to any of them,” Mystik Dan’s trainer, Kenny McPeek said upon hearing the news of Muth’s scratch while he was scrambling to get ready to fly from Louisville to Baltimore.
“Oh, my goodness. I guess it puts added pressure on us, but he’s ready,” he said.
With former jockey Robby Albarado, a two-time Preakness winner, aboard, Mystik Dan zipped through his gallop on a sloppy, sealed racetrack at Pimlico after the mid-morning renovation break. Mystik Dan won Oaklawn Park’s Southwest (G3) by eight lengths in the slop. After skipping the Rebel Stakes (G2), the Goldencents colt finished third in the Arkansas Derby (G1) won by Muth.
McPeek designed the gallop to be 1 3/16 miles, instructing Albarado to pick it up through the stretch.
“We kind of emulated the Preakness distance,” McPeek said. “I told Robby to let him jump away and then stretch out down the lane.”
Albarado said he liked the track surface Wednesday morning.
