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Scott Serio / Eclipse Sportswire

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan may return sooner than expected in the Grade 1 Malibu on Dec. 26, Santa Anita’s opening day.

The Goldencents colt, who hasn’t raced since finishing eighth in the Belmont Stakes, returned to training in October at Keeneland and since has had three breezes at Fair Grounds, most recently going four furlongs in 48.2 seconds, fourth fastest of 122 at the distance.

“Mystik Dan has been in a nice breeze routine,” McPeek told Horse Racing Nation on Monday. “He’s been in a Saturday schedule, and right now it looks like he may be pointed towards the Malibu.”

McPeek acknowledged that date is sooner than he anticipated.

“But he’s thrived, and it gives us another month before there’s that race, almost five weeks,” he said. “And we think the timing is good, and at this point, we’re going to plan on getting ready at the Fair Grounds and ship him west at some point.”

The seven-furlong Malibu would be the shortest distance for Mystik Dan since he broke his maiden at six furlongs in November 2023.