Derby Winner Mystik Dan Rides Rail Once Again to Lukas Classic Win

[Wandering Eyes]

Just like he did beneath the Twin Spires on the first Saturday in May in 2024, GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) shot up the rail once again to a dramatic victory in Saturday's GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs.

With jockey Francisco Arrieta subbing for the sidelined Brian Hernandez, Jr., Mystik Dan raced in an inside fourth through an opening quarter in :23.45. Awaiting racing room on the far turn as 'TDN Rising Star' Disarm (Gun Runner) made a bold sweep for the lead, Mystik Dan finally found a seam along the rail in the stretch and punched on through to win by 3/4 of a length as the 3-2 favorite.

“First and foremost, I want to send my well wishes to Brian (Hernandez Jr.),” Arrieta said. “I had so much horse in the stretch. I just had to stay patient and wait for the spot to open. When I saw an opening on the inside I was able to send him down there and he just powered through. He's such a classy horse and I'm very thankful to Kenny (McPeek) and the owners for letting me ride him.”

McPeek added, “This horse just exudes class. He acts like an old professional. A lot of credit goes to the Churchill team with Greg Geier and his exercise rider Robby Albarado. They got him into this race in great shape. All of us are thinking about Brian (Hernandez, Jr.) today and wish him the best in his recovery. This race was a great prep to likely the Breeders' Cup (Dirt) Mile. I'm sure we'll entertain both that and the Classic in the coming days with the owners. We're just going to enjoy this one and get him ready for the Breeders' Cup.”

Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a win in the GIII Blame S. at Churchill Downs May 31. He finished fourth in both the GI Stephen Foster S. at Churchill June 28 and the GI Arlington Million S. at Colonial Downs last time Aug. 9. He was making his turf debut in the latter.

Pedigree Notes:

Mystik Dan is one of nine graded winners–three at the top level–for Goldencents. Mystik Dan's dam Ma'am (Colonel John) RNA'd for $2.9 million at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. A four-time winner, Ma'am was campaigned in partnership by Lance, Greg and David Gasaway and Daniel Hamby III. She is also responsible for the unraced 2-year-old filly Ford's Ma'am (Knicks Go) and a yearling colt by Wells Bayou. She was bred to Into Mischief for 2026. Mystik Dan will stand at Airdrie Stud upon the conclusion of his racing career.

The rail, @ChurchillDowns, and MYSTIK DAN!

The 2024 Kentucky Derby winner #5 MYSTIK DAN ($5.14) was unbelievable in the $500,000 Lukas Classic. @jockeyfarrieta was up for @KennyMcPeek. pic.twitter.com/F38EtdZOYi

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 27, 2025

Saturday, Churchill Downs
LUKAS CLASSIC S.-GII, $500,000, Churchill Downs, 9-27, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:49.25, ft.
1–MYSTIK DAN, 123, c, 4, by Goldencents
            1st Dam: Ma'am, by Colonel John
            2nd Dam: Lady Siphonica, by Siphon (Brz)
            3rd Dam: Cherokee Crossing, by Cherokee Colony
O-Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley
View Farm LLC; B-Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby & 4G Racing
LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Francisco Arrieta. $303,040.
Lifetime Record: GISW, 16-5-3-1, $4,819,160.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Disarm, 121, h, 5, Gun Runner–Easy Tap, by Tapit.
'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY);
T-Steven M. Asmussen. $98,400.
3–Banishing, 125, g, 5, Ghostzapper–Dowager, by A.P. Indy.
($80,000 4yo '24 FTKHRA). O-Lawrence P. Roman and David
Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson. $49,200.
Margins: 3/4, 3 3/4, 2. Odds: 1.57, 6.21, 2.69.
Also Ran: Hit Show, Prince of Power, Rattle N Roll, Willy D's. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

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