Mystik Dan Seeks to Rebound in Oaklawn’s Lake Ouachita

A year ago, Mystik Dan was the man on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.

Now, Mystik Dan tries to become the man again, this time on the first Saturday in May at Oaklawn when he seeks his first victory since the 2024 Kentucky Derby in the $200,000 Lake Ouachita Stakes for older horses at 1 1/16 miles.

The Lake Ouachita and $200,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Championship Stakes headline Oaklawn’s closing-day 12-race program. Probable post time for the Lake Ouachita, the 11th race, is 6:15 p.m. (Central). Racing begins at noon. Weather permitting, the infield will be open.

“I’m excited to get him back going down there,” said Kenny McPeek, who trains Mystik Dan. “Looks like a good spot. Saudi Crown’s a tough horse, but he’s doing super. We want to get him back in the winner’s circle. Certainly, want to see him run well.”

Mystik Dan has lost four consecutive starts since his nose victory in the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, last May at Churchill Downs.

After running second in the Preakness, Mystik Dan struggled in his final two starts at 3, finishing eighth in the Belmont Stakes June 8 at Saratoga and sixth in the $300,000 Malibu Stakes (G1) at seven furlongs Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. Mystik Dan hasn’t started since finishing ninth in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. It was his first start against older horses.

Mystik Dan resurfaces in a listed stake for the first time since finishing fifth in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes—Oaklawn’s first Kentucky Derby qualifying race—Jan. 1, 2024.

“We’re just trying to stepladder him, get him back up,” McPeek said. “Like I said, it’s not an easy race by any means. He’s got to start beating older horses, which, I think, is very well within him.”

After a 30-day break following the Pegasus, Mystik Dan returned to the work tab March 31 at Oaklawn and recorded four subsequent local breezes in advance of his comeback.

“We jumped him out of the gate (Wednesday) morning, just to refreshen him a little bit and get him used to leaving there again,” McPeek said. “This is something we did when he won the Derby, so he doesn’t leave there a step slow or anything.”

Mystik Dan will be ridden for the first time by Arrieta because the colt’s regular rider, Brian Hernandez Jr., has commitments Saturday at Churchill Downs. McPeek trains Mystik Dan for his breeders, Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing (Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway) and Daniel “Banks” Hamby, and Valley View Farm (Scott Hamby).

Mystik Dan raced twice at Oaklawn following the Smarty Jones, winning the $800,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) by eight lengths and finishing third in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles. The Southwest was 1 1/16 miles. Mystik Dan has bankrolled $4,211,860 after winning 3 of 11 starts.

Program favorite Saudi Crown exits a runner-up finish, beaten a length by Banishing, in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) March 29 for trainer Brad Cox.

Saudi Crown’s resume includes a victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles in 2023 at Parx and a third-place finish, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) last year in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Cup is the world’s richest race. Saudi Crown has earned $3,310,385.

Awesome Aaron exits a 5 3/4-length allowance victory at 1 1/16 miles April 12 at Oaklawn for trainer Norm Casse. Magic Tap adds blinkers for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

McPeek won last year’s Lake Ouachita with Frosted Departure.

Entries: Lake Ouachita S.

Oaklawn Park, Saturday, May 03, 2025, Race 11

• STK
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $200,000
• 4 yo’s & up
• 6:15 PM (local)

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