Kentucky Derby 2025 Horses Stun in a Race That Left Viewers, Bettors, and Bob Baffert Breathless

May 3, 2025. Contact us at crazecrest@gmail.com

Who won the Kentucky Derby 2025 became the internet’s loudest question just moments after fans Googled what time does the Kentucky Derby start, flipped wildly to figure out what channel is the Kentucky Derby on, and spotted Bob Baffert lurking near the paddock with a smile like he'd already cashed the winner’s check.

Mystik Dan Makes History—Barely

The winner of the 150th Kentucky Derby was Mystik Dan, a three-year-old colt who won in a photo finish so tight it had bettors holding their breath and broadcasters holding magnifying glasses. Ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., Mystik Dan edged out Sierra Leone and Forever Young in what has already been called one of the most thrilling finishes in Derby history. It wasn’t just a close race—it was a collective cardiac event shared by everyone from Churchill Downs to the Reddit livestream crowd.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Mystik Dan's victory brings a sense of redemption for both the jockey and trainer, each of whom had been chasing a Derby win for years. This wasn’t just a win—it was a war cry from underdogs who finally turned the volume up.

Crowd, Chaos, and Channel Confusion

Of course, while the horses galloped down the homestretch, thousands of viewers were still fumbling with remotes, asking “what channel is the Kentucky Derby on?” NBC carried the event, but that didn’t stop half the internet from landing on cooking shows or local news, convinced they’d missed it entirely. Those who caught the start in time knew what time the Kentucky Derby starts: 6:57 p.m. ET. Those who didn’t will forever claim their TV betrayed them.

On the ground, the scene was classic Derby chaos—giant hats, awkward suits, and people shouting horse names with the intensity of sports announcers and the pronunciation accuracy of drunk uncles. And when Mystik Dan’s name was called, the reaction was split between cheers and people muttering, “Wait, who?”

The Mystik Rise of a Fan Favorite

Mystik Dan didn’t come into the Derby as the favorite. In fact, his odds hovered in the middle of the pack, not quite long shot, not quite darling. But his gritty run in the mud during the Arkansas Derby had fans whispering he might just have the stamina. Now, he’s already the subject of highlight reels, sports columns, and at least one YouTuber who insists he’s the reincarnation of Secretariat with better branding.

On social media, Mystik Dan trended not just for the win but for his name—one that sounds like a magician who performs at Renaissance fairs on the weekends. But make no mistake: his win was real, his sprint was fearless, and his story is now Derby legend.

Bob Baffert: Not in the Spotlight, Still in the Frame

Although his horses were not in this year’s Derby field due to a continued suspension stemming from medication violations, bob baffert’s name hovered over the proceedings like a ghost with a press pass. Even from afar, his legacy—both triumphant and controversial—was part of the weekend’s narrative. Some cheered his absence, others lamented it, but everyone noticed when a few commentators casually referenced “the Baffert era” like it was a past dynasty still casting shadows over the turf.

Fashion, Fans, and Fierce Debate

As always, the Derby was not just a horse race—it was a cultural spectacle. The infield was packed with fashion experiments that ranged from elegantly eccentric to outright unexplainable. One attendee paired cowboy boots with a tuxedo T-shirt and explained it as “Kentucky chic.” Another wore a fascinator so large it was mistaken for a drone.

But the post-race discourse wasn’t just about fashion—it quickly turned to questions about the Preakness. Will Mystik Dan compete? Could he clinch the second leg of the Triple Crown? Or will his team hold back, opting for strategy over spectacle?

The Numbers Game

The final betting odds had Sierra Leone as the favorite, but Mystik Dan delivered one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. With a payout that pleased the brave and punished the cautious, the race sent betting markets into overdrive. Casual fans cheered their winnings while others stared blankly at losing tickets and whispered, “I knew I should’ve gone with the one that sounded like a wizard.”

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Kentucky Derby gave us a thrilling finish, a breakout winner in Mystik Dan, and a moment of redemption for Brian Hernandez Jr. It also gave us a timely reminder that even in an age of smartphones, AI, and live streams, half of us still don’t know how to find the right channel before the race ends.

But that’s part of the charm. For two minutes every spring, the world stops to watch horses run, people cheer, and history unfold—sometimes muddy, sometimes miraculous, but always unforgettable.

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