Mystik Dan wins 2024 Kentucky Derby in a photo finish

Lightly regarded Mystik Dan scored a thrilling upset astatine nan Kentucky Derby connected Saturday, winning by a chemoreceptor and bringing a profession Triple Crown to trainer Kenny McPeek.

Rail-riding Mystik Dan stuck his chemoreceptor successful beforehand of 2nd favourite Sierra Leone for nan melodramatic three-horse photo-finish triumph that took respective minutes to hash out.

“I wasn’t judge if we had won,” jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. told NBC Sports soon aft nan race. “So it was rather a unreserved to beryllium present and hold for it.”

Mystik Dan came into nan Derby pinch a comparatively bladed resume that included a third-place decorativeness astatine nan Arkansas Derby and a triumph astatine nan Grade III Southwest Stakes.

It was nan first Derby triumph for some McPeek and Hernandez. McPeek had antecedently trained filly Swiss Skydiver, nan 2020 Preakness Stakes champion, and Sarava, long-shot victor of nan 2002 Belmont Stakes.

McPeek effusively praised Hernandez and his ride.

“Just a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, superb jockey and ride,” nan trainer said. “Brian’s amazing.”

Mystik Dan’s Triple Crown quest will proceed connected May 18 pinch nan 149th moving of nan Preakness Stakes successful Baltimore.

Before Saturday’s 12th title astatine Churchill Downs unfolded, celebrities and large hats filled nan clubhouse, grandstands and paddock nether Louisville’s famed copy spires.

Mystik Dan astatine Churchill Downs connected May 1.Charlie Riedel / AP

Wynonna Judd performed nan nationalist anthem, starring a unchangeable of boldface names from nan intermezo world specified arsenic Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Tucker, Kid Rock, Jack Harlow, Jimmy Fallon, Travis Tritt, Josh Groban, Holly Robinson Peete and Richie Sambora.

Lifestyle maven Martha Stewart and shot figures specified arsenic dateless Travis Kelce, Aaron Rodgers, Jameis Winston, Isiah Pacheco and Emmett Smith were besides successful attendance.

The Derby time besides included a big of different big-money races.

Long changeable Trikari rallied to a thrilling upset victory in nan American Turf Stakes. The 47-1 acheronian equine roared past favourite Formidable Man successful nan last strides of nan $600,000 race.

Gun Pilot pulled distant to triumph astatine nan $1 cardinal Churchill Downs Stakes, adding to nan agelong winning resume of trainer Steve Asmussen.

Program Trading edged Naval Power to dramatically triumph nan $1 cardinal Turf Classic Stakes.

Seize The Grey won nan $600,000 Pat Day Mile Stakes.

Chili Flag took nan $750,000 Churchill Distaff Turk Miles Stakes.

Vahva rallied precocious to triumph nan $100,000 Derby City Distaff.

Cogburn raced to triumph astatine nan $600,000 Turf Sprint Stakes.