Mystik Dan. (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)
Mystik Dan Shines In Lukas Classic With Hernandez Sidelined
Lukas Classic winner likely to target the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
Sunday’s Closing Day Features $214,090 Mandatory Payout In Derby City 6
Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was a mix of emotions in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle Saturday when Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan dug in for a three-quarters of a length victory in the $500,000 Lukas Classic (Grade II) with substitute rider Francisco Arrieta aboard for the injured Brian Hernandez Jr.
“Brian helped this horse get here. He really deserved to be on him today and deserves to be on him next time,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “In the meantime, Francisco did a good job and with the job he did I think he deserves to ride him back. That’s all assuming Brian won’t be back before the Breeders’ Cup, but that’s out of my control.”
Mystik Dan, owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC (Brent Gasaway), Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC (Scott Hamby), earned a career-best 104 Brisnet Speed Rating in the Lukas Classic, one point higher than his figure nearly four months ago when he was victorious in the Blame Stakes (GIII).
“He had every reason to get beat (in the Lukas Classic),” McPeek said. “He got blocked in there but that showed the turn of foot he’s got. Like Francisco said after the race, ‘He’s like a Maserati.’ He can just press the gas pedal and go.”
McPeek said Mystik Dan is likely to target the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
“As a stallion prospect, I think the Dirt Mile is a really good spot for him,” McPeek said.
Another horse that could line up in the Dirt Mile is Wathnan Racing’s Tumbarumba, who scored an upset victory Saturday over heavy favorite Most Wanted in the $335,000 Ack Ack (GIII).
“We knew Most Wanted had a lot of speed and was the heavy favorite,” jockey Tyler Gaffalione said. “We couldn’t let him get away too easily on the front end. Luckily my horse jumped away well and took me to a great position.”
Trained by Brian Lynch, Tumbarumba earned a 96 Brisnet Speed Rating in the win.
The Louisiana-bred gelding finished fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at odds of 33-1.
Sunday’s Closing Day Features $214,090 Mandatory Payout In Derby City 6
Bettors have a lucrative opportunity to chase a significant carryover on Sunday’s closing day program at Churchill Downs with mandatory payouts in all wagers led by a $214,090 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6.
Sunday’s 10-race card, the last of 14 programs during the September Meet, gets underway at 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the Derby City 6 beginning in Race 5 at 2:45 p.m.
Sunday’s Derby City 6 sequence (with field sizes prior to scratches):
- Race 5 (2:45 p.m.): Clm 12500, 3&up, 1 1/16 M (nine entries)
- Race 6 (3:18 p.m.): Mdn 30000, 3&up, 7 F (10 entries)
- Race 7 (3:50 p.m.): Mdn 150000, 2yo f, 6 F (12 entries)
- Race 8 (4:22 p.m.): OC 100000n3x, 3&up, 1 1/16 M (six entries)
- Race 9 (4:54 p.m.): Alw 134000n3L, 3yo, 1 1/16 M (T) (nine entries)
- Race 10 (5:25 p.m.): Mdn 120k, 2yo, 1 M (10 entries)
Takeout on the Derby City 6 is just 15% – one of the lowest multi-race wager takeout rates in North American racing.
Past performances are available at www.Brisnet.com. Fans can wager on the 50-cent Late Pick 5 on track at Churchill Downs; www.TwinSpires.com, the track’s official online wagering platform; other online wagering outlets; and select satellite betting centers throughout North America.
DOWN THE STRETCH …
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will attempt to secure his sixth-straight September Meet riding title at 14th overall at Churchill Downs on Sunday with a 25-19 win lead overIrad Ortiz Jr. Gaffalione, who won three races Saturday, was named to ride in all 10 races while Ortiz, who made four trips to the winner’s circle Saturday, had calls in nine races. …
In the trainer standings, Brad Cox clinched at least a share of the September Meet title with a 9-7 lead over David Jacobson. This is Cox’s fourth consecutive September Meet crown and ninth overall. Cox had four horses entered Sunday (Races 8, 9 and 10) while Jacobson had two (Races 1 and 2). While Jacobson could only tie Cox for the trainer’s title, he clinched at least a share in the owner’s title with four wins. Godolphin, a four-time local leader, could tie Jacobson with one entry in Race 10 if Jacobson didn’t win with either of his two horses. …
Racing on the Kentucky circuit shifts east on Interstate 64 toKeeneland for a 17-day run that starts Friday and continues through Saturday, Oct. 25. Live racing at Churchill Downs will resume Sunday, Oct. 26 for the 26-day Fall Meet through Sunday, Nov. 30. The Fall Meet will feature 16 stakes worth $5 million. Thanksgiving weekend once again anchors the five-week stand with two of the season’s biggest race days: Friday, Nov. 28 will be headlined by the $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) and $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GII); and Saturday, Nov. 29 features the Stars of Tomorrow II card headlined by the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) and $400,000 Golden Rod (GII). The Oct. 26 opener will feature the first Stars of Tomorrow card led by the $200,000 Street Sense (GIII) and $200,000 Rags to Riches (Listed). …
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
