After vanning nearly 1,900 miles from Fair Grounds in New Orleans, GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) arrived at Santa Anita in good order Wednesday night, got a rest day on Thursday, and stretched his legs on California soil for the first time Friday morning. Backed up to the seven-eighths pole around 8:15 a.m. local time under exercise rider Tony Gutierrez, Mystik Dan galloped about nine furlongs, then took two turns around the paddock before heading back to Barn 54, where he is staying.
Trainer Kenny McPeek was not on hand–he's scheduled to arrive next Thursday morning along with Mystik Dan's regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr.–but McPeek's assistant Dermot Magner oversaw the morning's activities alongside Greg Morehead, director of operations for McPeek Racing. Magner and Morehead shared the driving duties for Mystik Dan's trip from Fair Grounds.
The Derby winner is entered to run in next Thursday's GI Malibu Stakes on Santa Anita's opening day. He'll break from post six in his first start since an off-the-board finish in the GI Belmont Stakes.
In other Malibu news, three other members of field had their final works Friday: Stronghold (Ghostzapper) covered five panels in 1:01; Winterfell (Arrogate) worked four furlongs in :47.20; and Senior Officer (Into Mischief) worked a half in :48.
Also on the worktab was GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), who worked for the second time since that win Nov. 1. He covered four furlongs in :49. Another notable worker was Eagles Flight (Curlin), the winning half-brother to Horse of the Year Flightline, who put in five furlongs in 1:00.40.
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