Santa Anita: Ky. Derby winner Mystik Dan settles in for Malibu

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, who arrived at Santa Anita Wednesday night following a nearly 1,900-mile van ride from New Orleans, took his first tour of the Santa Anita grounds Thursday morning.

Emerging from Barn 54 at about 11:15 a.m. EST, Mystik Dan’s first order of business was going to the main track for some light exercise. Mystik Dan was backed up to the seven-eighths pole while on the outer rail, then turned and galloped about 1 1/8 miles under local exercise rider Tony Gutierrez.

Mystik Dan, who is trained by Ken McPeek, then took the tunnel just past the finish line into the paddock where he took two circuits around before heading back to the barn.

On hand to oversee the activity was assistant trainer Dermot Magner and Greg Morehead, director of operations for McPeek Racing. Both Magner and Morehead shared the driving duties for Mystik Dan’s lengthy journey west from his winter base at Fair Grounds.

Mystik Dan, who won the 150th Kentucky Derby in May under Brian Hernandez Jr., is entered to run in the Malibu Stakes (G1) on Thursday, opening day of Santa Anita Park’s 90th anniversary season. The Malibu is one of six graded stakes on the 11-race opening day program. First post is at 2 p.m. EDT. The Malibu, a seven-furlong dirt race for 3-year-olds, is carded as the eighth race with a post time of approximately 5:30 p.m. EST.

Mystik Dan, who drew comfortably in post six for the Malibu, will be making his first start since the Belmont Stakes in June. After winning the Derby by a nose, Mystik Dan finished second in the Preakness and then eighth in the Belmont before receiving time off. He has been working steadily since the end of October for his comeback.

Both McPeek and Hernandez are expected to arrive at Santa Anita Thursday morning. Mystik Dan will be Hernandez’s only mount on opening day.