Look who’s back racing again … Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan.
After a 6 ½-month break at trainer Kenny McPeek’s Magdalena Farm in Kentucky and recently back in the training at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Mystik Dan is set for his return Thursday in the $300,000 Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita.
Sierra Leone (left) gets nosed out by Mystik Dan at the wire in the Kentucky Derby. Coady Photo,
Mystic Dan makes his long-awaited return to action in the Malibu on Thursday
It’s the first trip West for the Derby winner, and his first race since finishing eighth in the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on June 8.
The long break and the shortening in distance to the 7-furlong Malibu, could be a fresh start for the son of Goldencents, a two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner with both victories coming at Santa Anita.
Mystik Dan won the Derby in a three-horse photo finish with Sierra Leone second and Forever Young third. He finished second to Seize the Grey in the Preakness (G1) before his off-the-board run in the Belmont.
Mystik Dan arrived in California last week, worked 3 furlongs in 37.40 on Sunday, and was made the slight 5-2 favorite over Bentornato, who was edged out by Straight No Chaser in the BC Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.
This will be Mystik Dan’s first race at 7 furlongs. He’ll break from post 6 under regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Bentornato, trained by Jose D’Angelo, has a 5-2-2 record in nine starts and leaves from the rail under Luis Saez. Prior to the BC Sprint, the Valiant Minister colt won the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx in September.
With a race for 3-year-olds in California, never count out Bob Baffert, who sends out a trio in the field of eight – Pilot Commander (6-1), Winterfell (15-1), and Imagination (12-1).
The field is a tough one with trainer Brad Cox sending out 5-1 choice Senior Officer, trainer Phil D’Amato going with Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold (8-1), and Doug O’Neill saddling Raging Torrent (9-2), a three-time winner at 7 furlongs.
Even if Mystik Dan is on his game, this looks a like a tough spot for him to get back to the winner’s circle, especially at a sprint distance.
For those who bet horse racing …
The picks: 1 Pilot Commander 2 Bentornato 3 Mystik Dan
Yet more dirt stakes picks, odds: La Brea, Laffit Pincay, Jr.
The 90th season at Santa Anita on Thursday features six graded stakes – three Grade 1s and three Grade 2s. In addition to the Malibu, the $300,000 La Brea Stakes is the other Grade 1 on dirt, with the newly renamed Laffit Pincay, Jr. Stakes (G2) also on dirt.
The three turf races on Thursday are the American Oaks (G1), the San Gabriel (G2) and the Mathis Mile (G2).
$300,000 La Brea (G1), 7 furlongs, race 10, 6:30 p.m. ET post
In this sprint for 3-year-old fillies, Baffert has entered four of the 11 runners – 3-1 favorite Hope Road, Kinza (8-1), Cavalieri (10-1), and Splendora (12-1).
Hope Road is riding a four-racing winning streak, most recently the 1-mile Bayakoa (G3) at Del Mar on Nov. 2. Regular rider Juan Hernandez has the call leaving from post 9. Kinza is a two-time Grade 3 winner and ran second in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) in her last start.
One Magic Philly (4-1), sixth in the BC Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), looks to make amends Flavien Prat riding her for the first time leaving from post 7.
Tamara (8-1), trained by Richard Mandella, was second by a nose in an optional claimer last month in her first race in a year. In 2023, she won the Del Mar Debutante (G1) before running seventh in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1). Mike Smith has the call.
The picks: 1 Kinza 2 Hope Road 3 One Magic Philly
$200,000 Laffit Pincay, Jr. (G2), 1 1/16 miles, race 6, 4:33 p.m. post
Formerly the San Antonio, the race will be run for the first time as the Laffit Pincay, Jr., honoring the Hall of Fame jockey.
A field of eight is entered, with Katonah the slight 3-1 favorite over 7-2 Tarantino and 4-1 Express Train.
Trained by Doug O’Neill, Katonah has run in the Grade 1s in a row, most recently running fifth in the BC Dirt Mile. He was fourth in the California Crown (G1) and off-the-board in the Pacific Classic (G1). Not the best record for a favorite, so let’s look for another winner.
Tarantino, a 6-year-old gelding, was claimed for $40,000 by Peter Eurton over the summer. He won his first two starts for the trainer and ran a solid second in the Native Diver (G3) at Del Mar on Nov. 23.
Edwin Maldanado, who has been aboard for those three races, has the call from post 7.
Express Train, a 7-year-old trained by John Shirreffs, won the 2022 Santa Anita Handicap, did not run in 2023, and finished third in two starts in 2024, most recently the San Fiego Handicap (G2) in July.