He and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. held off late charges by Sierra Leone and Forever Young to reach the wire first by a nose.

[9] The field was limited to twenty horses who qualify based on points earned in the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of designated races that was first introduced in 2013.

Mystik Dan came into the race with two wins in six starts, with his most recent victory coming in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Mystik Dan was brought to the rail by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. soon after the start and sat mid-pack behind a modest pace before making his bid for the lead around the far turn when he slipped past Track Phantom.

Sierra Leone and Forever Young repeatedly bumped each other down the stretch, but neither horse's jockey claimed a foul.

In the final straightaway duel, Gaffalione made multiple contacts with Forever Young with his left hand.

Splits for each quarter-mile: (22.97) (23.66) (24.68) (26.15) (25.88) Source: Equibase chart[18] The table below provides the Kentucky Derby payout schedule for a $2 stake.