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150th Kentucky Derby in a Stunning Upset

Mystik Dan took the roses in a three-horse photo finish, winning the 150th Kentucky Derby in a stunning upset. Mystic Dan outran Sierra Leone and Forever Young in one of the closest finishes in Derby history, ending in a finish so close that the winner wasn't immediately obvious.

By Theo Edwards

Mystik Dan holds off Sierra Leone by a nose at Louisville, KY! Saturday, May 4, 2024

The ultimate crown in horse racing

Insane finish! All Three by a nose. Best race since the Rich Strike miracle

Mystik Dan took the roses in a three-horse photo finish, winning the 150th Kentucky Derby in a stunning upset. Mystic Dan outran Sierra Leone and Forever Young in one of the closest finishes in Derby history, ending in a finish so close that the winner wasn't immediately obvious.

 

Video Courtesy: NBC Sports

 

Mystik Dan and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. rode the rail down the stretch with a short lead. Forever Young from Japan and Sierra Leone gave chase and pressured the leader to the wire in front of 156,710 at Churchill Downs.

Hernandez and trainer Kenny McPeek won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday with Thorpedo Anna.

McPeek made history by being the first trainer since 1952 to win the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Fierceness was the favorite of both betting interest and pressure. The purse for the 2024 Derby stood at $5 million, up from $3 million as recently as 2019.

Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory

The Official Kentucky Derby results:

1. Mystik Dan

2. Sierra Leone

3. Forever Young

4. Catching Freedom

5. T O Password

6. Resilience

7. Stronghold

8. Honor Marie

9. Endlessly

10. Dornoch

11. Track Phantom

12. West Saratoga

13. Domestic Product

14. Epic Ride

15. Fierceness

16. Society Man

17. Just Steel

18. Grand Mo The First

19. Catalytic

20. Just a Touch

Imagine just two minutes that have transformed the lives of horses, riders, trainers, and owners. Whether it's a moment of triumph or a crushing defeat, these two minutes will leave a lasting impact.

 
By Theo Edwards; May 4, 2024 at 9:41 PM (EST)
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Sierra Leone Wins the 2024 Toyota Blue Grass (G1)

At least some good news: The horse named Sierra Leone won the 2024 Toyota Blue Grass Race in the U.S. The Toyota Blue Grass (G1), for 3-year-olds at 1+1/8 miles on the dirt, ran on Saturday, April 6, at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, KY.

By Theo Edwards

$1 Million Toyota Blue Grass (G1)

The Toyota Blue Grass (G1), for 3-year-olds at 1+1/8 miles on the dirt, ran on Saturday, April 6, at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, KY.

Sierra Leone made his case, overcoming early gate issues and rallying from the back of the pack to win the $1 million, Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland by 1+1/2 lengths over Just a Touch, Tyler Gaffalione riding. Sierra Leone covered the 1+1/8 miles in 1:50.08 and paid $5.32 to win as the 8-5 favorite.

The Blue Grass Stakes is the track's premiere prep race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

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