Saturday, May 18, 2024

Mystik Dan clings on for victory over Sierra Leone in Kentucky Derby thriller | Racing Information

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Mystik Dan simply held on by a nostril in a three-way picture end to assert Kentucky Derby glory for coach Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.

Sierra Leone got here house strongly however could not fairly give his Coolmore homeowners compensation for Metropolis Of Troy’s disappointing show within the 2000 Guineas, whereas Japanese raider Eternally Younger was one other nostril again in third.

The a hundred and fiftieth ‘Run for the Roses’ occurred on a 10-furlong filth observe described as working quick after an excellent day in Louisville had dried up Friday night time’s rain.

A crowd of 156,710 packed into Churchill Downs set free an almighty roar, as Observe Phantom took an early lead, flanked by Simply Metal and the favorite Fierceness.

That trio held sway till the flip for house, when Mystik Dan burst by means of on the within rail and rapidly stormed right into a three-length lead.

Sierra Leone and Eternally Younger fought onerous to claw again the deficit and have been closing in on the chief with each stride, however the ending line got here simply in time for Mystik Dan.

It accomplished a memorable double for the profitable coach and jockey, who had received the Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna 24 hours earlier, and McPeek advised NBC Sports activities: “Brian simply did a tremendous job – only a sensible, sensible, sensible jockey and experience.

“The draw (stall three) helped us from the start however Brian is superb, in all probability probably the most underrated riders in racing, however not anymore, proper!”

Hernandez admitted the lengthy look forward to the consequence to be confirmed was agonising, stating: “That is simply unbelievable, that was the longest jiffy I’ve ever felt in my life, ready for them to place that quantity up.

“It was thrilling after we hit the entrance however I wasn’t certain we had received, so it was fairly a rush to remain there and look forward to it.

Picture:
So shut! A prolonged picture end on the Kentucky Derby (AP)

“This can be a lifetime achievement. This goes to our complete household, we have all labored all our lives for this and it is onerous to explain what sort of feeling that is.

“I at all times advised myself I used to be by no means going to step into the Derby winner’s circle till I can do it on the again of a horse, so to have the ability to reside that dream from after I was a six-year-old child on my grandparents’ farm, telling all of them I used to be going to the Kentucky Derby at some point – and right here we’re.

“It certainly makes the final 20 years of getting up at 5 within the morning and discovering horses to experience and discovering individuals to provide us alternatives all come to fruition on days like yesterday and at this time.

“It is onerous to place into phrases and it is in all probability going to take a couple of week to sink in earlier than we are saying hey, we received the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks in the identical 12 months.”

Coach Chad Brown stated of runner-up Sierra Leone: “To get overwhelmed a nostril within the Kentucky Derby, it is a robust one, however that is skilled sports activities and at this degree you are going to win some and lose some, and infrequently occasions it may come right down to a matter of inches.

“He is an incredible horse, he is practically undefeated and hasn’t misplaced by a lot in each of his defeats and I am simply so fortunate to have him and so pleased with his effort at this time.

“He did every part we requested him to do and it got here up just a bit bit quick, however hats off to the winner, and Ken McPeek having the Derby and Oaks winners, to him and his group, they actually did a superb job.

“The Derby gods could be merciless typically, making you wait, and a few trainers by no means have one, so if I am fortunate sufficient to be again in the identical place, I am going to be pleased about that.”

Ben Curtis, champion apprentice in Eire again in 2010, completed eighth on Honor Marie, whereas Frankie Dettori was sixteenth of the 20 runners on Society Man.


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