The Fourth was with Mystik Dan

Submitted by Jonny Avirez

Men in handsome suits and women in beautiful dresses and lovely hats gathered at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa for their first annual Kentucky

Derby party on May 4.

General Manager Paul Medawar and his team created a fabulous environment for “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”

This was the 150^th year of the “Run for the Roses,” making the Kentucky Derby the oldest, continuously held sporting event in the U.S.

At the Resort, guests enjoyed an open bar, signature cocktails and a bourbon tasting accompanied by flavorful brisket and tea sandwiches that were delightful to the palate.

Live banjo music surrounded the fun raffles that included tickets to SkyPark and stays at the Resort and its sister hotels. The derby race was displayed on a large screen so the guests could take part in the excitement.  

And exciting it was. The finish has been called one of most spine-tingling ones in the derby’s history. Mystik Dan – an 18-1 shot – hugged the rail and nosed out Sierra Leone and Forever Young to earn the crown. The photo finish was so close, it took several minutes for the order of finish to be posted.

Mystik Dan completed the 1-1/4-mile track in 2:03:34 and paid $39.22.