Mystik Dan has nose for roses

18-1 shot triumphs in three-way fight to finish at Derby

- BETH HARRIS

Mystik Dan, ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., edges Sierra Leone and Forever Young at Churchill Downs on Saturday to win the first jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown.

LOUISVILLE, KY. The 150th Kentucky Derby produced one of the most dramatic finishes in its storied history-three noses at the wire.

Mystik Dan desperately fought to hang on with two challengers coming to him in the closing strides. He did, too, after a delay of several minutes while the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947 was sorted out.

That year, Jet Pilot won by a head over Phalanx and a length ahead of Faultless.

Mystik Dan, an 18-1 shot, edged Sierra Leone by a nose, with Forever Young another nose back in third on Saturday.

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. squeezed Mystik Dan through a tight spot to reach the rail turning for home and the bay colt suddenly found another gear. He took off down the stretch and built a slight lead.