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The 150th Kentucky Derby: Mystik Dan Emerges Victorious
In a thrilling three-horse photo finish, Mystik Dan claimed victory at the historic 150th Kentucky Derby, narrowly defeating Sierra Leone by a mere nose, with Forever Young securing third place. This intense race culminated in the closest finish since 1996, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Despite being considered an underdog with odds of 18-1, Mystik Dan, guided by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., skillfully navigated the rail down the stretch, maintaining a slight lead. Sierra Leone, the second favorite at odds of 9-2, and Forever Young from Japan relentlessly pursued the leader, intensifying the competition as they raced towards the finish line in front of a captivated crowd of 156,710.
Following the conclusion of the race, anxious moments ensued as stewards reviewed the outcome before officially declaring Mystik Dan as the winner. “The longest few minutes of my life,” expressed Hernandez, reflecting on the tension-filled moments as he and the bay colt anxiously awaited the verdict.
Despite being the top choice with odds of 3-1, Fierceness faltered and finished in 15th place out of a field of 20 3-year-olds. Hernandez and trainer Kenny McPeek had previously celebrated success in the Kentucky Oaks for fillies the day prior with Thorpedo Anna.
Clocking in at a time of 2:03.34 for 1 1/4 miles, Mystik Dan’s victory was met with payouts of $39.22 for the win, $16.32 for place, and $10 for show. Sierra Leone rewarded its backers with returns of $6.54 and $4.64, while Forever Young clinched third by a nose and paid out $5.58.
Noteworthy moments during the race included Sierra Leone veering inward and making contact with Forever Young on multiple occasions in the stretch, though no foul was claimed by jockey Ryusei Sakai.
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