The 2024 Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan, isn’t yet confirmed for the Preakness Stakes, according to reports. Trainer Kenny McPeek and the horse’s ownership group are yet to commit the colt to the race, which is scheduled for May 18, just two weeks after the Derby.
McPeek expressed caution, citing a past experience of running a horse back in two weeks, which didn’t yield positive results. The decision regarding Mystik Dan’s participation in the Preakness will be made after observing the horse’s condition over the next week, possibly up to the last minute.
Before deciding on the Preakness, Mystik Dan will head to the Saratoga Race Course in New York, indicating that the team is considering multiple factors before committing to the next race.
Saratoga Race Course will also host the Belmont Stakes on June 8, the final leg of the Triple Crown. Due to the reconstruction of Belmont Park, Saratoga will serve as the host for the Belmont Stakes for the next three years.
Given the quick turnaround between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, with the latter being just two weeks after the former, McPeek appears to be leaning towards letting Mystik Dan skip the Preakness and focus on preparing for the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
Similarly, Sierra Leone, who finished closely behind Mystik Dan, won’t be participating in the Preakness either, with the horse’s trainer opting to train for the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga as well. Other contenders like Forever Young and Catching Freedom are also yet to confirm their participation in the Preakness, leaving their decisions open for the time being.
