Photo finish at 150th Kentucky Derby marred by controversy

Mystik Dan, right, wins the Kentucky Derby in a photo finish on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Mystik Dan won by photo finish at the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but the historic moment didn’t come without controversy.

Down the stretch run, second-place finisher Sierra Leone and Japanese horse Forever Young engaged in what appeared to be legal bumping. However, replays created a valid argument that a foul potentially occurred.

Ultimately, a foul claim didn’t occur, surprising many around the horseracing community.

Responding to the brief mention of a possible foul on the race’s broadcast, longtime horseracing columnist Bruce Clark chimed in, saying a claim “Should have been” made. Likewise, former jockey Jose L. Verenzuela made the same argument, calling for Forever Young to be promoted to second place while also questioning whether jockey Ryusei Sakai was aware he could contend that a foul was committed.

Even without a claim against Sierra Leone jockey Tyler Gaffalione, others argued that it shouldn’t have mattered. Peter T. Fornatale of Sky Sports was one of many stunned by the lack of an inquiry, sharing the opinion that the track stewards should’ve made the call for Sakai and Forever Young.

It is unclear how the contact between Sierra Leone and Forever Young may have impacted Saturday’s incredible photo finish. Regardless, the moment will forever be overshadowed by the winner, Mystik Dan.

Not only did the 16-1 odds shot win the race, but it secured history for trainer Kenny McPeek. Coupled with Mystik Dan’s Derby victory and McPeek’s horse Thorpedo Anna’s win at the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, he became only the fourth trainer ever to sweep both races and the first since 1952.

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