LOUISVILLE, KY(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS MAY 04, 2024)-Mystik Dan and Jockey Brian Fernandez Jr. with 18-1, Odd win the 2024-150th Kentucky Derby by a Nose in thrilling photo finish beating Sierra Leone down the stretch in 2:03:34 final time at Churchill Down in Louisville, KY.

With 18-1, long shot odd, Mystik Dan began the race keeping near the rail in 6th place during the first 1/4 & 1/2 mile run, while the favorite 3-1, Fierceness kept in 3rd place on the outside.

Fierceness (3-1, Odd) took first place in the 3/4 mile run with Mystik Dan moving up to 4th place. Then came the final 1/16 mile run with Mystik Dan taking first place down the stretch near the rail leading up to 3-horse body length ahead of Sierra Leone and Forever Young who were approaching fiercely from behind.The two horses caught-up to Mystik Dan in the finish line creating a dramatic three-horse thrilling photo finish with Mystik Dan eventually being declared the winner of the 150th The Run For The Roses by a "Nose" after a photo finish review by the judges.  

With the win, Mystik Dan and Jockey Brian Fernandez Jr. won the first prize of $3.1 Million, Sierra Leone $1,000,000 while  Forever Young won $500,000 for third place in the sensational first leg winner of the 2024 Triple Crown race.