LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The impact of a life-altering event that spans just two minutes is profound: every move, decision, and even non-decision holds significance. Yet, it’s not just the actions taken in those two minutes that matter; it’s a lifetime of split-second choices that culminate in a momentous occasion, as was the case on a humid Saturday evening when history was made.
Recounting Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan’s historic journey along the rail and into the history books is a tale that goes beyond a mere lap around Churchill Downs. It involves a decision made over 30 years ago not to skip a dinner date, a quest for bloodstock knowledge in the depths of a college library years prior, a commitment to a mare on the brink of retirement, and a father’s persuasion to instill a love for horse racing in his son. It entails one jockey studying another’s rail-riding tactics and a coalition of individuals who eschewed fame to compete with the elite names in the industry.
During the 150th rendition of this iconic race, Mystik Dan clinched a heart-stopping victory, edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young in the first three-horse photo finish since 1947. The outcome was so tight that even winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was uncertain of the result as he crossed the finish line, inquiring with an outrider if he had indeed won the Kentucky Derby.
Five agonizing minutes passed before the verdict was rendered, with the 156,710 spectators transitioning from jubilation as the horses neared the wire to near-silence as they, much like the jockey, awaited the decision. When Mystik Dan’s name finally illuminated the scoreboard, the crowd erupted in cheers, conveying the news to Hernandez through the outrider. “It took about two minutes, and then finally when they said, ‘Yeah, you’ve just won the Kentucky Derby, I was like, ‘Oh wow, that’s a long two minutes. That was the longest two minutes in sports — from the fastest two minutes to the longest by far.’”
Trainer Ken McPeek, seemingly unsurprised, had confidently predicted his victory throughout the week. By achieving triumph with Mystik Dan alongside Thorpedo Anna, McPeek became the first trainer since Ben Jones in 1952 to secure the Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby double. Hernandez, mirroring Calvin Borel’s feat in 2009, became the first jockey to accomplish this tandem since then.
In a broader context, Borel served as Hernandez’s inspiration, with the younger jockey studying Borel’s rail-riding techniques via videos. Mystik Dan’s triumph, spanning a mere 2:03.34 for 1 ¼ miles, hinged on Hernandez Jr.’s expert navigation, deftly steering the horse to victory by a nose. While the race was clinched in those two minutes, its roots trace back to McPeek’s formative years spent delving into horse racing records at the University of Kentucky library.
McPeek’s dedication to the sport and preference for simplicity distinguish him as a horse racing Everyman, embodying a deep respect for the industry and eschewing conventional breeding conglomerates in favor of working-class horses. The journey to Mystik Dan’s triumph encompassed a myriad of smaller moments, from McPeek’s studious endeavors to Lance, Brent, and Sharilyn Gasaway’s unwavering trust and shared passion for horse racing.
Each individual involved in Mystik Dan’s victory contributed a unique piece to the tapestry, from McPeek’s meticulous planning to Gasaway’s familial ties and Sharilyn’s fortuitous encounter with Brent. As the celebrations unfolded post-race, the shared elation and gratitude among the winning team underscored the culmination of a lifelong dream realized in just two minutes of exhilarating competition.
Mystik Dan’s triumph may have materialized in a fleeting moment of brilliance, but its essence was distilled from a tapestry woven with a million smaller moments, converging to produce an unforgettable spectacle.
(Photo of jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr. on Mystik Dan: Rob Carr / Getty Images)