McPeek, Cox Talk Plans for Mystik Dan, Catching Freedom

The winners of Oaklawn Park's first and second 2024 Kentucky Derby points races—Catching Freedom  and Mystik Dan —will bypass the Feb. 24 Rebel Stakes (G2), but they could meet again in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

Trainer Kenny McPeek reiterated Feb. 20 that Southwest Stakes (G3) winner Mystik Dan is pointing for the March 30 Arkansas Derby. That race is also among several under consideration for Smarty Jones Stakes winner Catching Freedom, according to trainer Brad Cox.

McPeek said Mystik Dan returned to Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots | BloodHorse.com Track Profile">Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots shortly after his eight-length victory in the slop in the Southwest, a 1 1/16-mile race postponed a week because of winter weather. The 21-day turnaround to the Rebel factored into McPeek's decision to train the 3-year-old Goldencents   colt up to the Arkansas Derby.

McPeek originally sent Mystik Dan to the Fair Grounds to prepare for the Southwest after cold, snow, and rain halted training at Oaklawn Jan. 13-23. McPeek said most of his serious leg work will be done in New Orleans.

"He's doing well," said McPeek, who has divisions at Oaklawn and Fair Grounds. "I skipped a breeze with him this weekend because the track was horrendous, and he'll get teed up for the Arkansas Derby in the next month.

"He might come up, like, a week early to work over the track, or he may come a few days before the race."

Mystik Dan opened 2024 with a fifth-place finish, beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Catching Freedom, in the Smarty Jones Jan. 1. Catching Freedom returned to finish third in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds.

Catching Freedom—a 3-year-old colt by Constitution  —rallied from eighth place and was in tight between horses through the stretch of the Risen Star. He finished third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Sierra Leone .

"Very pleased with the effort," Cox said. "It looks like he came out of it well.

"I think right now everything's in play—the Arkansas Derby, Louisiana Derby, Blue Grass," Cox said. "I might even throw the Wood in there … those four races will be on his radar, and we'll pick the one we're thinking makes the most sense. Obviously, he ran well in Arkansas. That gives us some confidence if that's the route to go."

Catching Freedom (25 points) and Mystik Dan (21) rank fifth and sixth, respectively, on the latest Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard released by Churchill Downs.

The Arkansas Derby offers 200 points (100-50-25-15-10) to its top five eligible finishers toward the Kentucky Derby.