2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947.

After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

“In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “We got him back to his old self.”

Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr.

"When Mystik Dan is right, he’s such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,” Hernandez said.

Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice.

Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third.

The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570.

AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

FILE - Brian Hernandez, Jr., right, atop Mystik Dan, and Flavien Prat, atop Catching Freedom, finish the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course in second place and third place, respectively, May 18, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)