Preakness Stakes Preview: Mystik Dan’s Participation Uncertain
The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown of US horseracing, may be missing the top three finishers from the Kentucky Derby.
Mystik Dan’s Trainer Contemplates Preakness Stakes
The bay colt’s trainer, Kenny McPeek, revealed that it would be a last-minute decision on whether to run Mystik Dan in the Preakness Stakes. While McPeek accepted the invitation from Pimlico Race Course officials, he emphasized that it was not a definite commitment.
- McPeek stated, “We’re not committing. When I ran him back in two weeks (at Churchill Downs last November), it completely backfired.”
- He added, “So we’ll watch him over the next week and probably decide then. It will be a last-minute decision. We’ll let him tell us.”
Other Contenders’ Plans
Sierra Leone, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby, will not participate in the Preakness Stakes. Instead, the horse will be trained for the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York.
Chad Brown, Sierra Leone’s trainer, mentioned, “He’s a little tired. I think giving him the five weeks to the Belmont is definitely the right thing to do.”
Japanese-bred colt Forever Young is set to return to Japan, potentially leaving the Preakness without the top three Kentucky Derby finishers.