June 26, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Dan the Man
Mystik Dan appears to be coming out of a lull that left three blemishes on his otherwise sterling resume following a landmark score in last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1).
Fresh off an inspiring Blame (G3) triumph last time out, the 4-year-old colt finds himself back at the Grade 1 tier this Saturday in the $1 million Stephen Foster (G1).
Returning to the familiar confines of Churchill Downs – the site of three of his four career victories – Mystik Dan (3-1) will square off against an elite contingent led by Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Sierra Leone (5-2 choice).
Rounding out the star-studded field is Mindframe (7-2), First Mission (4-1), and Hit Show (9-2).
Tables = Turned
Mercante and Brilliant Berti – the top two finishers in May’s Arlington (G3T) – are ready to square off once again, this time, in Saturday’s $500,000 Wise Dan (G2T).
The former rides in high after outduelling the latter by a mere neck to secure his second career graded stakes trophy and rob the latter of what would have been his second as well.
Brilliant Berti held the advantage in the Arlington, closing as the 2-1 choice, whereas Mercante closed at 3-1.
In the Wise Dan, however, their roles are reversed, with Mercante opening as the slight 5-2 choice over Brilliant Berti (3-1).
Ding, Ding
A clash of the titans is headed for Woodbine Saturday in the $200,000 Highlander (G2T).
The heavyweight tilt between Canada’s reigning Horse of the Year Patches O’Houlihan and last year’s King’s Plate runner-up My Boy Prince has the makings of a can’t-miss contest.
In one corner, Patches O’Houlihan, standing at 12-1-1 across 15 lifetime starts, is an eight-time stakes winner (five graded), coming off a Thorncliffe tally on May 5.
In the other corner, My Boy Prince, entering at 7-4-1 from 16 starts, is a six-time stakes winner eyeing his first of the graded variety, last running to a second in the Grade 1 Jaipur on June 8.
Patches O’Houlihan holds the early advantage over My Boy Prince (5-2) as the 6-5 choice.
Reservation for One
Booth, in the midst of a four-race win streak, has plans to reserve a spot in Churchill Downs’ winner’s circle following Saturday’s $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (G3).
While no sure thing against top challengers Dr. Venkman (5-2) and Roll On Big Joe (3-1), Booth, the 2-1 opening line favorite, is no doubt the one to beat.
The 4-year-old colt ignited the weighty streak with a win in the Commodore Overnight Stakes on February 24 at Oaklawn Park.
The Steve Asmussen charge hasn’t cooled down since, taking the Whitmore (G3), Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3), and Maryland Sprint (G3) in that order.
A win Saturday not only would extend Booth’s unbeaten stretch to five, but it also would vault the standout sprinter over $1 million in lifetime earnings.
On the Hunt
Megalodon, after getting back on track last time out, has a chance to get an early jump on Shark Week and the road to the 2025 King’s Plate, with a sharp outing Saturday’s $150,000 Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine.
Ready to put a tough 11th in his graded debut (Grade 1 American Turf) in the rearview, the 3-year-old Josie Carroll charge took a positive step forward with a confident two-length claimer win on May 31.
The aptly named Marine represents Megalodon’s second opportunity at a graded trophy, and third at the stakes tier (second in March’s Rushaway).
Positioned in post six, Megalodon opens at 3-1 behind favorite Scorching (2-1) and Church and State (5-2).