Mystik Dan Seeks Rare Derby-Belmont Double

Mystik Dan has a chance to join a rare group of Kentucky Derby (G1) winners who also won the Belmont Stakes (G1).

The colt trained by Kenny McPeek won the Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, and ran second to Seize the Grey in the Preakness (G1) at Pimlico Race Course on May 18.

Despite winning the Kentucky Derby Mystik Dan is the third choice for the Belmont Stakes.

On Saturday, in the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course for the first time, Mystik Dan can become the fifth horse to run 1-2-1 in the Triple Crown, and the 12^th to pull off the Derby-Belmont double.

Mystik Dan is 5-1 on the morning line, the third betting choice, behind Derby runner-up Sierra Leone and new shooter Mindframe.

“He is a very consistent horse. I think that is the biggest deal,’’ McPeek said of his Derby winner. “We’ve kind of been a little careful with the spacing of these races nowadays. And I have been worried about it, you know making sure he’s right, but he’s been very consistent all the way from the Arkansas Derby through today. Once again, we are hopeful that he runs a big race and you’ve got to compete in these kind of races to prove yourself.”

Derby-Belmont winners, all of whom ran in the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown (year, horse, Preakness finish):

1923 – Zev (12^th in Preakness)

1931 – Twenty Grand (2^nd in Preakness)

1939 – Johnstown (5^th in Preakness)

1942 – Shut Out (5^th in Preakness)

1950 – Middleground (2^nd in Preakness)

1956 – Needles (2^nd in Preakness)

1963 – Chateaugay (2^nd in Preakness)

1972 – Riva Ridge (4^th in Preakness)

1976 – Bold Forbes (3^rd in Preakness)

1984 – Swale (6^th in Preakness)

1995 – Thunder Gulch (3^rd in Preakness)