Latest news with #KenMcPeek
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I DID IT!': Ken McPeek Marks Derby-Oaks Double With Tattoo
'I DID IT!': Ken McPeek Marks Derby-Oaks Double With Tattoo originally appeared on Paulick Report. Trainer Ken McPeek made history last year when he pulled off the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double, winning with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan. Now, the veteran Lexington, Ky., horseman has permanently marked the accomplishment — with a tattoo. Advertisement 'I always said that if I ever won the Kentucky Derby, I would get a Tattoo. Derby Oaks Double 2024. I DID IT!!,' McPeek said in a post on X. Some commenters on the post questioned whether the tattoo was real—or if it was even McPeek in the photo. But the trainer quickly shut down the speculation with a follow-up post. 'If you have any doubts, this isn't AI,' McPeek wrote. To further put doubts to rest, McPeek used X's AI tool, Grok, to respond to a now-deleted comment. The tool analyzed the image and confirmed its authenticity, noting that the tattoo celebrated McPeek's 2024 Kentucky Derby and Oaks victories and aligned with verified historical records. No evidence suggested the image was AI-generated. For the most part, the online response was overwhelmingly supportive and positive. Jockey Rajiv Maragh even joined in with a playful question. McPeek was the first trainer to pull off the Oaks-Derby double since 1952, when the legendary Ben Jones achieved it with Real Delight in the Oaks and Hill Gail in the Derby — both ridden by Hall of Famer Eddie Arcaro. Jones also won both races in 1949, and Herbert "Derby Dick" Thompson accomplished the fear in 1933. Advertisement Looking ahead, both of McPeek's stars will return to action at Churchill Downs next Saturday. Thorpedo Anna will aim to bounce back in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis, while Mystik Dan will try to make it two in a row in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster. Both races are 'Win and You're In' qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup Distaff and Classic, respectively. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hamilton Spectator
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. 'In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,' trainer Ken McPeek said. 'We got him back to his old self.' Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr. 'When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,' Hernandez said. Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third. The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570. ___ AP horse racing:
Winnipeg Free Press
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. 'In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,' trainer Ken McPeek said. 'We got him back to his old self.' Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr. 'When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,' Hernandez said. Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third. The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570. ___ AP horse racing:
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. Advertisement After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. 'In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,' trainer Ken McPeek said. 'We got him back to his old self.' Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr. "When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,' Hernandez said. Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Advertisement Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third. The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570. ___ AP horse racing:
Associated Press
01-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. 'In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,' trainer Ken McPeek said. 'We got him back to his old self.' Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr. 'When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,' Hernandez said. Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third. The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570. ___ AP horse racing:
