Mystik Dan, Tumbarumba show grit in Lukas Classic, Ack Ack

For the third time in his career, Mystik Dan parlayed a ground-saving trip into a graded stakes win at Churchill Downs, adding Saturday’s $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2) to his tally.

Best known for his rail-skimming triumph in the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1), Mystik Dan also won Churchill’s Blame (G3) earlier this year. But the Lukas Classic was arguably the most dramatic win to date for the Kenny McPeek trainee, who races for the partnership of Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm.

Facing six rivals over 1 1/8 miles, Mystik Dan started as the 3-2 favorite under jockey Francisco Arrieta, who was filling in for Mystik Dan’s regular rider, Brian Hernandez Jr. Hernandez was injured in a fall at Churchill last Sunday.

Arrieta guided Mystik Dan to his customary ground-saving spot in fourth place, as many as three lengths off the pace. Mystik Dan gradually edged closer as frontrunning Willy D’s set splits of :23.45, :47.46, and 1:11.67, but turning for home, he lacked racing room and had to battle between rivals.

For a few moments, Mystik Dan raced in extremely tight quarters. But he successfully advanced through a narrow gap, enabling him to challenge the wide-rallying Disarm. These two drew clear of the rest, with Mystik Dan gradually edging ahead by three-quarters of a length to reach the finish line in 1:49.25.

“First and foremost, I want to send my well wishes to Brian,” said Arrieta. “I had so much horse in the stretch. I just had to stay patient and wait for the spot to open. When I saw an opening on the inside, I was able to send him down there, and he just powered through. He’s such a classy horse, and I’m very thankful to Kenny and the owners for letting me ride him.”

Disarm finished 3 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Banishing, while Hit Show, Prince of Power, Rattle N Roll, and Willy D’s completed the order of finish.

McPeek indicated the Breeders’ Cup is next for Mystik Dan, though exactly which championship race he’ll tackle remains up in the air.

“This horse just exudes class. He acts like an old professional. A lot of credit goes to the Churchill team, with Greg Geier and his exercise rider, Robby Albarado. They got him into this race in great shape,” said McPeek. 

“All of us are thinking about Brian today and wish him the best in his recovery. This race was a great prep to likely the Breeders’ Cup (Dirt) Mile (G1). I’m sure we’ll entertain both that and the (Breeders’ Cup) Classic (G1) in the coming days with the owners. We’re just going to enjoy this one and get him ready for the Breeders’ Cup.”

Earlier in the afternoon, the one-mile $335,000 Ack Ack (G3) went in upset fashion to 7-1 shot Tumbarumba, a Wathnan Racing color-bearer trained by Brian Lynch and ridden to victory by Tyler Gaffalione.

Tumbarumba engaged in a race-long duel with odds-on favorite Most Wanted through stiff fractions of :22.68, :45.26, and 1:09.32. Most Wanted led by a head at every call except the final one; in the last eighth of a mile, Tumbarumba forged past to score by three-quarters of a length in 1:35.44.

“All the credit goes to this horse and Brian and his team,” Gaffalione said. “He’s such a fun horse to ride who tries so hard every time. He deserved to win this race.”

Indispensable, Who Dey, Three Technique, Will Take It, and Surly Furious completed the order of finish.

The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile is next on the agenda for Tumbarumba, setting up a possible meeting with Mystik Dan.

“Tyler and this horse get along so well,” Lynch said. “He rode a great race today, and it’s back to the Breeders’ Cup again this year. He ran well there last year (fourth), but I think this year he’s a more mature horse and can show different dynamics within the race.”