Regardless of whether Mystik Dan and his connections pursue the Triple Crown he's still going to be remembered for winning one of the most exciting American Classics in recent memory.
The Derby posted the photo finish that showed the winner edging out the competition by a nostril.
Kentucky Derby @KentuckyDerbyBY A NOSE. <a href="">#KyDerby</a> <a href="">
The memorable finish to the race had people thinking back on some other iconic finishes:
While there have been plenty of memorable moments go down under the Twin Spires, it is exceedingly rare for the first jewel of the Triple Crown to come down to a photo finish. ESPN's Marty Smith shared just how rare it is:
Marty Smith @MartySmithESPNAccording to Churchill Downs, the last time there was a three-horse photo finish like we saw in Kentucky Derby 150 was 1947.
NBC Sports also provided the overhead footage of the race which gave another angle of just how close the the run to the finish was.
NBC Sports @NBCSportsThe overhead view of Mystik Dan's Kentucky Derby Photo Finish win is WILD. 😲 <a href="">#KyDerby</a> <a href="">
It proved to be a great weekend for trainer Kenny McPeek. He became the first trainer since 1952 and the fourth ever to win both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Thorpeda Anna won the 150th Oaks on Friday night in a much more dominant showing.
Racing TV @RacingTV🗣 "I'm really proud of that."<br><br>Kenny McPeek does the Oaks-<a href="">@KentuckyDerby</a> double 👏 <a href="">
Going into the weekend McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez hadn't won either of the major Churchill Downs races despite 33 combined entries. With Hernandez aboard both winners, they made history together.
It's going to be hard for the rest of the major races left on the calendar to top what we saw in Louisville, but the fun is just getting started.
McPeek was non-committal about whether his horse would enter the Preakness and contend for the second jewel of the Crown, per Andrew DeWitt of The Athletic.
If he does it will certainly bring more attention to the historic race on May 18th at Pimlico race track in Baltimore, Maryland.
Not only will a few of the contenders from the Derby be waiting for him but a few contenders who sat this one out waiting on their shot at the glory and prize money that comes with winning an American Classic.
