May 6, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Three of a Kind
All eyes were on the iconic Churchill Downs for the 150th edition of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1), and it certainly did not disappoint.
This year’s “Run for the Roses” had a little bit of everything: drama, lead changes, a photo finish, and most importantly, a longshot winner. At 18-1, Mystik Dan and rider Brian Hernandez Jr. narrowly prevailed over not one, but two competitors (Sierra Leone and Japanese-bred Forever Young) by a nose.
The heart-pumping finale registered as the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. While not quite to the level of 80-1 lottery ticket Rich Strike in 2022, Mystik Dan’s performance on Saturday evening will forever be etched in Derby history.
A $2 bet on the 3-year-old colt returned a sweet $39.22.
Everything’s Coming up Hernandez
Perhaps we should have known Hernandez Jr. had the inside track with Mystik Dan after seeing what he did with Thorpedo Anna in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) one start earlier.
Running from the fourth post position, Hernandez got the 3-year-old filly out to an early lead, which kept on growing before the pair reached the finish line 4 ¾ lengths ahead of 7-2 closing line choice Just F Y I.
The dominant showing in the Oaks earned Thorpedo Anna a second consecutive stakes score (Grade 2 Fantasy on Mar. 30), and her first at the Grade 1 tier.
Saturday’s exceptional showing paid $10.98.
Take that Win and Frame it
It took a couple of tries, but Gun Pilot is finally a graded stakes winner. The 4-year-old colt broke through in a big way on Saturday in the Churchill Downs stakes (G1), nabbing the $1 million contest by a clean 2 ½-length margin.
Working alongside rider Cristian Torres, Gun Pilot ran patiently around the half marker before stepping on the gas to blow past 20-1 long shot Here Mi Song for a low-stress score.
What now stands as the Steve Asmussen trainee’s most significant resume item, the Churchill Downs improved Gun Pilot’s career line to 5-3-0 in 11 starts.
The first-class performance returned $12.68.
To be Frank
If the late-great Jerry Stiller was on the mic for Saturday’s $200,000 Charles Whittingham (G2T) at Santa Anita, there’s a pretty good chance we would have heard Frank Costanza’s brilliant, “I’m like a phoenix, rising from Arizona!” line.
That lovely hypothetical is all thanks to 6-year-old gelding Gold Phoenix (IRE), who pressed all the right buttons to secure the fifth graded win of what’s quickly become an underrated career.
The Phil D’Amato trainee needed every last ounce of energy to ward off fellow Irishman Prince Abama, Planetario (BRZ), and Offlee Naughty, who landed within a head, nose, and neck, respectively, of each other.
For successfully emerging from the crowd, Gold Phoenix paid a handsome $13.80.
Just Enough
Although Dontlookbackatall (7-5) didn’t necessarily take her own advice, the 4-year-old filly did just enough to eke out a win in the $150,000 License Fee Stakes at Belmont at the Big A on Sunday afternoon.
Competing in a shortened five-horse field (originally seven), Dontlookbackatall hovered around the front of the pack for most of the 6-furlong affair. It was not until the latter stages that the Irad Ortiz Jr. mount took control of the pace for good, albeit by a very slim margin (neck).
The License Fee win handed Dontlookbackatall her first stakes victory in what was her third attempt at the level.
Sunday’s close call paid a modest $4.70.