Mystik Dan put himself into the history books Saturday, winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. Now, the horse's ownership group is facing a key question in the wake of its big win.
Will they run the Preakness Stakes and compete for a Triple Crown title, or will Mystik Dan sit the race out and take aim at the Belmont Stakes crown?
Some may presume that the group would answer "yes" without hesitation. After all, only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown, so why wouldn't Mystik Dan's group try to become the 14th?
But nowadays, trainers and owners are much more aware of their horse's needs, so if they believe there is a benefit to resting the horse, they won't hesitate to do it.
Here's what to know about Mystik Dan's potential Preakness run and why he isn't guaranteed to be in the field at Pilmico.
MORE: How much prize money does the Kentucky Derby winner get in 2024?
Will Mystik Dan run the Preakness?
It's official — Mystik Dan will be running at the Preakness.
Trainer Kenny McPeek announced that after discussions with the ownership group of the horse, Mystik Dan will be in Baltimore to compete in the event.
"All systems go," McPeek said Saturday. "The horse is doing fantastic."
Initially there were concerns from McPeek and the owners of the 3-year-old colt. The team wouldn't commit to the Preakness after winning the Kentucky Derby, but they have since changed their stance ahead of the race.
While Mystik Dan will be in Baltimore, Sierra Leone, who finished second in the race, won't be running in the race. Instead, the team and the horse will take aim at the Belmont Stakes.
"He's a real laid-back horse but, when we brought him out, was a little more tired than he normally is after his races," Sierra Leone's trainer Chad Brown said. "I think giving him the five weeks to the Belmont is definitely the right thing to do."
The last Kentucky Derby winner not to run the Preakness was Rich Strike in 2022. Rich Strike was a late entrant to the Derby field but later ran the Belmont Stakes.
MORE: What to know about Brian Hernandez, the jockey of derby-winning Mystik Dan
When is the Preakness Stakes?
- Date: Saturday, May 18
- Post time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Part of the reason that more horses are skipping the Preakness Stakes is that it is held just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. That scheduling pattern is holding true in 2024.
The 149th running of the Preakness will take place on Saturday, May 18. The post time for the race is 6:50 p.m. ET from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Justify was the last Kentucky Derby winner to also win the Preakness. He did so in 2018 en route to winning the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.
MORE: How Mystik Dan got his unique name
Triple Crown winners by year
Thirteen horses have won the Triple Crown. Only two have achieved the feat since 1979: Justify in 2018 and American Pharoah, who ended a 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015.
Here is the full list of Triple Crown-winning horses and jockeys, from Sir Barton and Johnny Loftus in 1919 to Justify and Mike Smith in 2018.
| Year | Horse | Jockey |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike Smith |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza |
| 1978 | Affirmed | Steve Cauthen |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew | Jean Cruguet |
| 1973 | Secretariat | Ron Turcotte |
| 1948 | Citation | Eddie Arcaro |
| 1946 | Assault | Warren Mehrtens |
| 1943 | Count Fleet | Johnny Longden |
| 1941 | Whirlaway | Eddie Arcaro |
| 1937 | War Admiral | Charles Kurtsinger |
| 1935 | Omaha | Willie "Smokey" Saunders |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox | Earl Sande |
| 1919 | Sir Barton | Johnny Loftus |
