It was a mix of emotions in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle Saturday when 2024 Derby 150 (G1) Mystik Dan dug in for a three-quarters of a length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic (G2) with substitute rider Francisco Arrieta aboard for the injured Brian Hernandez Jr.

“Brian helped this horse get here. He really deserved to be on him today and deserves to be on him next time,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “In the meantime, Francisco did a good job and with the job he did I think he deserves to ride him back. That’s all assuming Brian won’t be back before the Breeders’ Cup, but that’s out of my control.”

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Mystik Dan, owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC (Brent Gasaway), Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC (Scott Hamby), earned a career-best 104 Brisnet Speed Rating in the Lukas Classic, one point higher than his figure nearly four months ago when he was victorious in the Blame Stakes (G3) at the Louisville track.

“He had every reason to get beat (in the Lukas Classic),” McPeek said. “He got blocked in there but that showed the turn of foot he’s got. Like Francisco said after the race, ‘He’s like a Maserati.’ He can just press the gas pedal and go.”

McPeek said Mystik Dan is likely to target the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

“As a stallion prospect, I think the Dirt Mile is a really good spot for him,” McPeek said.

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Another horse that could line up in the Dirt Mile is Wathnan Racing’s Tumbarumba, who scored an upset victory Saturday over heavy favorite Most Wanted in the $335,000 Ack Ack (G3).

“We knew Most Wanted had a lot of speed and was the heavy favorite,” jockey Tyler Gaffalione said. “We couldn’t let him get away too easily on the front end. Luckily my horse jumped away well and took me to a great position.”

Trained by Brian Lynch, Tumbarumba earned a 96 Brisnet Speed Rating in the win.

The Louisiana-bred gelding finished fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at odds of 33-1.

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Sep 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.