Friday works: Mystik Dan tries turf, leads 14 graded winners

2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan took to the grass for the first time Friday over Saratoga’s Oklahoma turf training track, with New York Racing Association clockers timing him through a solo five-eighths breeze in 1:02 flat with Luis Rivera Jr. up.

“Really pleased,” trainer Kenny McPeek said at his Saratoga barn. “I always wanted to try him on the turf, and he looked like he loved it. We’re contemplating some options, and this is a horse that’s done everything we’ve ever asked him to do. I think he’ll relish it. It’s just a matter of finding the right spot at the right time.”

The 4-year-old son of Goldencents was last seen finishing fourth in the Stephen Foster (G1) on June 28 at Churchill Downs, the site of his Kentucky Derby coup last year over subsequent champion 3-year-old colt Sierra Leone. He scored by 1 1/4 lengths in the Blame (G3) two starts back.

Mystik Dan is out of the Colonel John mare Ma’am, whose four wins included one on turf in 2017 at Ellis Park. Ma’am is a half-sister to Renaissance Art, who was Group 3-placed going 1 1/2 miles on turf in Hong Kong, and Revamp, who was placed on synthetic going the same distance in England. His second dam Lady Siphonica is a half-sister to Rose of Summer, dam of Laragh, a Grade 1 winner on synthetic and dual Listed stakes-winner on turf, and multiple turf graded stakes-winner Summer Front.

Goldencents also has seen his progeny have success on turf, led by dual Grade 1 winner Going to Vegas, along with multiple graded-group stakes winners Phantom Currency and Wildman Jack and Grade 3 winner That’s Right.

McPeek said he is still evaluating options for Mystik Dan, with an eye on the lucrative Kentucky Downs meet.

“There’s a race down there that I think will be ideal for him, so right now that’s what we’re kind of leaning towards,” McPeek said.

Mystik Dan holds a career record of 14: 4-3-1 with more than $4.4 million in total purse earnings.

Mystik Dan was one of 14 graded-stakes winners with published works Friday.

Far Bridge (English Channel), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, 2024 Sword Dancer, 2023 Belmont Derby Invitational), worked five furlongs in 1:02.3 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 10 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Bowling Green (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 12 for trainer Miguel Clement.

La Cara (Street Sense), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 Acorn, 2025 Ashland), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the faster of two works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Acorn (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Mark Casse.

Mystik Dan (Goldencents), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Kentucky Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:02.1 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed fourth in the Stephen Foster (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Future Is Now (Great Notion), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2024 Franklin, 2024 Intercontinental), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Fair Hill on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 10 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the Caress (G3) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on July 19 for trainer Michael Trombetta.

Integration (Quality Road), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2024 Red Smith, 2023 Hill Prince), worked four furlongs in 49.9 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 39 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed second in the Manhattan (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on June 8 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Barnes (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2025 San Vicente), worked six furlongs in 1:12.0 at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed fifth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 5 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Bentornato (Valiant Minister), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Gallant Bob), worked four furlongs in 45.0 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 34 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint going six furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Nov. 2 for trainer Jose D'Angelo.

Booth (Mitole), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2025 Maryland Sprint, 2025 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap, 2025 Whitmore), worked four furlongs in 52.2 seconds at Ellis Park on Friday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 26 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Jeff Hall Memorial going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Ellis Park on July 20 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Fort Washington (War Front), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2025 Dinner Party, 2025 Canadian Turf, 2024 Monmouth), worked four furlongs in 49.9 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 39 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed fourth in the Wise Dan (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Ohio Derby, 2022 Lexington), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 10 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the United Nations (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Monmouth Park on July 19 for trainer Miguel Clement.

Dream On (Not This Time), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Penn Mile), worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds on turf at Colonial Downs on Friday morning. It was the fastest of five works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Colonial Downs. In his last start he won the Penn Mile (G3) going one mile on the turf at Penn National on June 27 for trainer Mark Casse.

Haulin Ice (Coal Front), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Vagrancy), worked three furlongs in 37.4 seconds at Palm Meadows on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 24 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Palm Meadows. In her last start she won the Musical Romance Handicap going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on June 22 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Special Wan (Belardo), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Honey Fox), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Turfway Park on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 31 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Turfway Park. In her last start she placed third in the Just a Game (G1) going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

That's Right (Goldencents), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Turf Monster), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Ellis Park on Friday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 26 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Ellis Park. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 4 for trainer Brad Cox.