Mystik Dan wins Kentucky Derby at 18-1 odds as trainer Kenny McPeek etches name in history

—In the closest photo finish since 1996, Mystik Dan prevailed in the 150th Kentucky Derby, defeating Sierra Leone by a nose. Forever Young finished third.

Mystik Dan, who was sent off at odds of 18-1, and his jockey, Brian Hernandez Jr., held a short lead and rode the fence down the stretch. In front of 156,710 spectators at Churchill Downs, Japan's Forever Young and Sierra Leone, the second pick at 9-2 odds, gave chase and forced the leader to the wire.

The Kentucky Derby was decided by a nose for the tenth time, which is the smallest margin in horse racing. This was the first time since Grindstone wore the red rose garland in 1996.

The audience had to wait for a few minutes before the stewards reviewed and officially announced the Kentucky Derby results.

Thorpedo Anna, trained by Hernandez and Kenny McPeek, had won the Kentucky Oaks for fillies on Friday from start to finish. Since Ben Jones in 1952, McPeek is the only trainer to win both races, and he is the fourth overall.

The largest upset in the history of the Belmont Stakes, which McPeek's only other Triple Crown triumph was, came from 70-1 Sarava in that race in 2002. War Emblem's pursuit for the Triple Crown was derailed by the colt.

Riding into the stretch, Sierra Leone hauled in and bumped Forever Young three times, but jockey Ryusei Sakai called no foul.

With twenty three-year-olds competing, Fierceness, the 3-1 favorite, came in fifteenth place.

From the $5 million overall purse—the biggest in the race's history—Mystik Dan will receive $3.1 million.

In 2:03.34 for a 1 1/4 mile run, Mystik Dan paid $39.22, $16.32, and $10.

Thorpedo Anna and Hernandez, along with their trainer Kenny McPeek, had won the Kentucky Oaks for fillies handily. Since Ben Jones in 1952, McPeek is the only trainer to win both races, and he is the fourth overall.

The largest upset in the history of the Belmont Stakes, which McPeek's only other Triple Crown triumph was, came from 70-1 Sarava in that race in 2002.

$6.54 and $4.64 were refunded by Sierra Leone. Forever Young, who paid $5.58, finished third with another nose.

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