There’s something about a Kentucky Derby winner that stirs the soul of every racing fan. And this weekend at Del Mar, it’s Mystik Dan who carries that magic. While Sovereignty’s scratch from the Breeders’ Cup Classic dashed hopes of a rare double Derby reunion, the 2024 Kentucky Derby hero will nonetheless bring his trademark grit and heart to the seaside track when he lines up for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
A lone Derby champion at Del Mar
Fans have long cherished those scarce moments when Kentucky Derby winners grace Del Mar’s turf and dirt. In nearly nine decades of racing history at this picturesque venue, only eight have appeared here since 1975. The list reads like a timeline of greatness—Gato Del Sol, Ferdinand, Unbridled, Silver Charm, War Emblem, Giacomo, California Chrome, and Mandaloun—each with a distinct Del Mar story.
Gato Del Sol, the 1982 Derby victor, not only won the Cabrillo Handicap here the following year but also found the seaside track a lucky charm, breaking his maiden and clinching the Del Mar Futurity as a juvenile. Then came Ferdinand, the 1986 champion who added the Cabrillo Handicap to his tally before being crowned Horse of the Year in 1987.
Unbridled’s appearance in the inaugural Pacific Classic in 1991 was a landmark, even in defeat. Silver Charm’s homecoming after his 1997 Derby win ended in fifth place in the San Diego Handicap, but his earlier juvenile victories at Del Mar remain fondly remembered. War Emblem and Giacomo both had mixed fortunes, but California Chrome’s love affair with Del Mar was something else entirely — four wins from five starts, including the G1 Hollywood Derby and the G1 Pacific Classic, both etched into racing folklore.
When Mandaloun finally inherited his 2021 Derby title following Medina Spirit’s disqualification, his 2022 Del Mar run symbolized both justice and resilience, even if victory eluded him.
The ones that got away
Despite its rich history, Del Mar has never hosted a Triple Crown winner in competition. American Pharoah, who broke the 37-year drought in 2015, began his career at this very track but never raced here after his Triple Crown triumph. He trained along the Del Mar surf during that storied summer but left his competitive legacy elsewhere.
Several future Derby heroes—Real Quiet, Charismatic, I’ll Have Another, Nyquist, and Authentic—also had early runs at Del Mar before seizing glory under the Twin Spires. Yet none returned to race again after their triumphs, leaving Mystik Dan’s Breeders’ Cup run as another rare and historic chapter in this enduring connection between Kentucky’s crown jewel and California’s racing paradise.
DEL MAR SERVES UP STELLAR FRIDAY UNDERCARD
As anticipation builds for Saturday’s World Championships, Del Mar offers a tantalizing undercard on Friday featuring four stakes that promise fierce competition across divisions.
$200,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (Turf, 1 Mile)
Bob Baffert’s Plutarch, still a maiden but brimming with potential, leads the charge after strong runs in both the Del Mar Juvenile Turf and the G1 American Pharoah. “He’s got heart,” said Baffert. “He may be a dirt horse, but he loves this track.” Cherie DeVaux’s Dr. Agne adds depth to the field after consistent performances in New York and Kentucky.
$175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies (7 Furlongs, Dirt)
A rematch of the Generous Portion Stakes sees Too Sassy, Mohaven, and Liberation locking horns again. John Sadler’s assistant Juan Leyva believes Mohaven will benefit from a change in tactics: “She doesn’t need the lead—just a good trip and a clean stretch run.”
$200,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes (5 Furlongs, Turf)
The only stakes for older fillies and mares brings together Queen Maxima, Shoot It True, and Jungle Peace. Trainer Philip D’Amato is confident about his Irish-bred’s return to one-turn form: “She’s training beautifully, and this setup suits her.”
$175,000 Golden State Juvenile (7 Furlongs, Dirt)
For Cal-bred 2-year-olds, Ocean Bear headlines after back-to-back wins, chased by Doug O’Neill’s duo Pavlovian and Thirsty Rebel. John Sadler’s Sammy Davis, a Del Mar stakes winner, also figures prominently.
First post time for Friday’s action is 11:35 a.m.
KEENELAND CHAMPIONSHIP AUCTION LIGHTS UP DEL MAR
Under the glow of Breeders’ Cup week, Wednesday night’s Keeneland Championship Auction added glamour to the paddock with million-dollar bids flying thick and fast.
The top sale — a $3 million share in leading sire Not This Time — went to Hill ‘n Dale at Xalapa, which also secured a $1 million interest in Thorpedo Anna, the reigning Horse of the Year. Other high-profile buys included shares in Life Is Good, Bentornato, and Mindframe, all major Breeders’ Cup contenders.
As one industry insider remarked, “It’s not just about racing here — it’s about the future of racing.”
COOLING OUT
A late blow came with the scratch of Scottish Lassie from the Breeders’ Cup Distaff due to a minor foreleg issue, confirmed by trainer Jorge Abreu. Meanwhile, Jonquil and Mrs. Astor turned in light Thursday works ahead of their weekend starts.
With Mystik Dan set to fly the flag for Derby champions, Del Mar once again becomes a bridge between the sport’s storied past and its vibrant present — a reminder that legends never truly leave the stage; they simply return, in new colors and new moments, to remind us why we love the game.
Read more Breeders’ Cup and racing stories at RaceBuzz.
