In a thrilling Kentucky Derby finish, Mystik Dan emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins, and now the talented horse is set to compete in the Preakness, raising hopes for another Triple Crown winner. Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed the decision on Saturday, following consultations with owners and careful consideration of the short two-week turnaround.

Initially, McPeek had expressed concerns about the quick timeframe, citing a poor performance by Mystik Dan under similar circumstances in November. However, after assessing the horse's current condition, McPeek gave the green light, stating, "All systems go, the horse is doing fantastic."

The possibility of Mystik Dan skipping the Preakness had raised questions about the prestigious race's status. In recent years, there were instances where the Derby winner did not participate due to various reasons. But the allure of Baltimore proved irresistible to McPeek, who clinched victory in the pandemic-delayed 2020 Preakness with filly Swiss Skydiver, defeating Derby champion Authentic.

It has been three years since the last Triple Crown champion, Justify, under the guidance of Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. If Mystik Dan can secure victories in both the Derby and Preakness, it will set the stage for an exciting first - a Triple Crown on the line at Saratoga Race Course. The Belmont, traditionally held on Long Island, is currently undergoing a $455 million reconstruction project, prompting the relocation.

However, despite Mystik Dan's remarkable performance, the horse may not be the favorite in the upcoming Preakness. That distinction likely belongs to Muth, one of the two horses brought by Baffert. The renowned trainer was once again prohibited from entering horses in the Derby due to a ban imposed by Churchill Downs following Medina Spirit's failed drug test in the 2021 race.

The field for the Preakness is expected to be small, with only one other horse from the Derby, 17th-place finisher Just Steel, trained by the veteran 88-year-old Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, confirmed for the race.

As racing enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming Preakness, all eyes will be on Mystik Dan and whether the prodigious horse can continue its winning streak, setting the stage for a potential Triple Crown victory at Saratoga Race Course.