Is Mystic Dan An Arkansas Native?

Mystik Dan is a bay colt bred in Kentucky by Lance Gasaway and Daniel Hamby, derived from the name of Hamby’s father’s first name (Dan) and his father’s first business venture (Mystik Tape). He is a descendant of Darley Arabian and is trained by Kenneth G. McPeek. Mystik Dan won the 2024 Kentucky Derby and the Southwest Stakes, and is a possible starter in the Haskell, Pennsylvania Derby.

Mystik Dan is owned by Lance Gasaway, Brent Gasaway of 4 G Racing, and Daniel Hamby III. He entered the event at 18-1 odds to win, which was the tightest finish of the Derby since 1996. Mystik Dan is a record holder and Hall of Famer who starred not at Arkansas but at Arkansas-Monticello, where he was an NAIA All.

Mystik Dan has Arkansas ties and is co-owned by Arkansas natives, including Lance Gasaway and his cousin Brent. Lance was a football player at Captain Shreve High School and now lives in Arkansas, where Oaklawn is their home track. All three of Mystik Dan’s races this year had been at Oaklawn, including the Smarty Jones Stakes.

Mystik Dan has Arkansas ties and is a 3-year-old colt sired by Goldencents out of Ma’am, a Colonel John mare. He has raced from 2023 to 2024 and is a descendant of Darley Arabian. Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed that GIII Southwest S. winner Mystik Dan is pointing for the GI Arkansas Derby on March 30.