Preakness 2024: Early contenders after Mystik Dan wins Kentucky Derby
The 150th Kentucky Derby has been run, and the drama was incredible, with a three-horse blanket finish to open the Triple Crown series, as longshot Mystik Dan hit the wire first, a nose in front of second-choice Sierra Leone.
More: Kentucky Derby 2024 highlights - Mystik Dan edges Sierra Leone to win Triple Crown's first leg
What happened at Churchill Downs sets the stage for Pimlico in two weeks
Now it’s time to start looking forward to the 149th Preakness Stakes, with the field already taking shape for the middle race of the series at Pimlico, to be run on May 18 at a 1 3/16-mile.
Here’s a look at some of the possible contenders for the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Mystik Dan
Trainer: Ken McPeek.
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Owner: Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing & Daniel Hemby.
Mystic Dan came through at 18-1 to complete an historic double for McPeek, who won the Kentucky Oaks and the Derby. Hugging the rail, he won by a head bob, winning for the first time since taking the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, having finished third in the Arkansas Derby in his final prep race.
Muth
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
This was the likely Derby horse for Baffert, banned by Churchill Downs, in search of what would have been his record seventh win. By Good Magic, sire of 2023 Derby winner Mage, Muth has won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and Grade 2 San Vicente this year.
Imagination
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Owner: SF Racing LLC. & others.
Baffert will go for his record ninth Preakness win, after capturing the 2023 running with National Treasure. Imagination could have been a Baffert Derby runner, with the $1.05 million yearling purchase having finished second, beaten a neck, by Stronghold in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, having won the Grade 2 San Felipe two races back.
Informed Patriot
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Owner: Kirk & Judy Robison.
Patriot Spirit
Trainer: Michael Campbell
Jockey: Julio Felix
Owner: Melon Patch, Inc.
Led wire-to-wire, unchallenged in the Illinois Derby on April 23, having finished ninth against Grade 3 competition in the 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay in February.
Copper Tax
Trainer: Gary Capuano
Jockey: J.G. Torrealba
Owner: Rose Petal Stable
The local favorite, Copper Tax is 3-for-3 in Maryland, and has won seven of eight starts in Maryland or Delaware among 10 career starts. Last two races were wins at Laurel Park in the Private Terms and Tesio Stakes.
The Wine Steward
Trainer: Michael Maker
Jockey: Luis Saez
Owner: Paradise Farms Corp. & David Staudacher
Never worse than second in five career starts, was unable to catch Encino in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes on April 13, coming off a six-month layoff after finishing second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity.
Tuscan Gold
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Owner: William Lawrence, Walmac Farm and Stonestreet Stables.
Lightly raced Medaglia D’Oro colt won a maiden race at Gulfstream on Jan. 31 and ran third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby last time out in just his third career start.
T O Password
Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi.
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura.
Owner: Tomoya Ozasa.
Closed from far back to finish fifth in the Kentucky Derby, after securing a spot via the Japan Road to the Derby by winning the Fukuryu Stakes in March, in just the second start of the colt's career.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Preakness 2024 contenders after Mystik Dan wins Kentucky Derby
