On the day Sovereignty won the 2025 Kentucky Derby, the 2024 Derby winner Mystik Dan lost by a nose to Saudi Crown in the $200,000 Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
A year ago, it was Mystik who came out on top in a three-horse photo finish in the Kentucky Derby, edging Sierra Leone by a nose, with Forever Young another nose back.
But on Sunday, front-running Saudi Crown held off a determined Mystik Dan, who was making his second start as a 4-year-old.
It was a disappointing weekend for Kenny McPeek, the trainer who won the 2024 Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Thorpedo Anna the day before he won the Derby.
On Friday at Churchill Downs, his Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna finished last of five in the La Troienne (G1), and his 3-year-old filly Take Charge Milady ran xx in the Oaks. His Kentucky Derby entry, Render Judgment, finished 17th on Saturday.
Mystik Dan is now winless in five starts since his Kentucky Derby victory, his other loss in 2025 coming in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) in January [he was ninth].
The 1 1/16-mile Lake Ouachita turned into a stretch duel with a crowd of 30,000 on hand for the meet's final day.
Saudi Crown, the 1-2 favorite for trainer Brad Cox, went right to the lead under Abel Cedillo. Mystik Dan, the 8-5 second choice, tracked the Saudi Crown on the outside. Ridden by Francisco Arrieta, Mystik Dan turned up the pressure, moved within a head in the midstretch, and just missed at the finish.
“When we got to the quarter pole, I knew it was Mystik Dan following me,’’ said Cedillo. “As soon as we hit the eighth pole, he (Mystik Dan) was on top of me, but my horse responded really well.”
Winning time over a fast track was 1.42.25. Saudi Crown ($3 on a $2 win bet), a 5-year-old gray son of 2017 Derby winner Always Dreaming, improved to seven wins in 15 starts and boosted his earnings to over $3.4 million.
Mystik Dan co-owner Lance Gasaway remains encouraged despite the defeat: “Ran big. Tickled with him. Runs: 47 for the half. I was a little concerned there. When I look up there, 1:11 (for 6 furlongs), and he still holds on and fights them, I couldn’t ask for anything else. We wanted to see if he’s back. I think he’s back.”
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
