Summary

In one of the closest finishes in Kentucky Derby history, the 18-1 longshot Mystik Dan edged out favorites Sierra Leone and Forever Young by the slimmest of noses after a thrilling triple nose-to-nose stretch duel at Churchill Downs. The photo finish required an agonizing two-minute review before Mystik Dan's improbable victory was confirmed, etching the Kenny McPeek-trained colt's name into the Derby's storied 150-year history.

For those who read...

In the 150th annual Kentucky Derby, one of the most dramatic finishes in the race's storied history unfolded before a record-breaking crowd of 156,710 at Churchill Downs. Mystik Dan, a 18-1 longshot, etched his name into the history books with a pulse-pounding victory by the slimmest of margins of a mere nose.

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As the historic Kentucky Derby began with a field of 20 elite three-year-old thoroughbreds, all vying to win one of the most prestigious sporting events in American history, the race ultimately came down to a thrilling battle between three horses in the final stretch. Mystik Dan, ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., had opened up a clear lead in the final eighth of a mile, but his challengers were closing fast. The expensive $2.3 million horse Sierra Leone and the Japanese contender Forever Young were relentlessly cutting into Mystik Dan's advantage with every stride.

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In the final dramatic yards, the lead seemed to evaporate as Sierra Leone and Forever Young surged alongside Mystik Dan. It was a triple nose-to-nose thriller, with the naked eye unable to separate the trio as they hit the wire together. The crowd held its breath, awaiting the result of one of the closest finishes in Kentucky Derby history.

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After an agonizing two-minute review of the photo finish, the thrilling verdict was announced: Mystik Dan had won by a literal nose ahead of Sierra Leone, with Forever Young another nose back in third. It was the closest three-horse finish since Jet Pilot's victory in 1947, and the first Derby decided by a nose since Grindstone edged Cavonnier in 1996.

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The triumph was a dream scenario for trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who had already tasted victory together in the Kentucky Oaks just a day earlier with Thorpedo Anna. McPeek became the first trainer since 1952 to sweep both the Oaks and the Derby in the same year, while Hernandez joined the elite club of riders to achieve the same rare double in a single weekend.

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Mystik Dan's path to Derby glory had been unconventional, with the Kentucky-bred colt by Goldencents winning the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park before finishing third in the Arkansas Derby. But on this day, the $3.1 million winner's share of the $5 million purse belonged to the unlikely hero and owners 4 G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm, who had bred the champion.

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As Mystik Dan returned to the winner's circle draped in the iconic garland of red roses, the roar of the crowd celebrated a timeless moment in the 150-year history of the Kentucky Derby. A race steeped in tradition had witnessed a finish for the ages, with the narrowest of margins separating glory from heartbreak on this hallowed ground of Churchill Downs.

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Thank you for listening to this Current2 story and let us know if you won big on the classic Derby at Churchill Downs!

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Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby by nose in photo finish | ESPN

Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby in thrilling photo finish | Reuters 

Churchill Downs Stakes Recap: Kentucky Derby 150 | Churchill Downs

Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby by less than a nose | L.A. Times