The Kentucky Derby champion, who previously trained in Marion County, is the favorite to win this weekend’s Preakness Stakes and claim a second leg of the Triple Crown.
Mystik Dan will compete in the 149th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.
According to race officials, Mystik Dan arrived at the track in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, May 12. He was accompanied by assistant trainer Ray Bryner, according to a statement by course officials.
Trained by Ken McPeek, the horse will once again be ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., who rode Mystik Dan to victory at in the Kentucky Derby earlier this month.
The previous favorite in the race, Muth, was recently scratched from the race and will no longer participate. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said the horse drew a temperature of 103 and he had no choice but to scratch Muth, according to an announcement by course officials.
If the horse can pull it off, the win will represent the second leg of the coveted “Triple Crown.” The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is earned by any horse who wins the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes in a single season.
According to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Mystik Dan went through “early schooling” at the Silverleaf Hills Training Center in Summerfield. The facility was formerly the Padua Stables until it was sold in 2019.
Although Mystik Dan entered the Kentucky Derby with 18 to 1 odds, he edged out two other horses by a nose to claim victory in the 151st running of the race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, May 4.
Now, Mystik Dan will start Saturday’s race with the best odds to win at 5 to 2.
For more information on this year’s race or the contestants, visit the Preakness online.