Photo: Scott Serio / Eclipse Sportswire shows Mystik Dan, the winner of the Kentucky Derby 2024 in May. He is all set to take on seven rivals in the Grade 1, $300,000 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds over seven furlongs next Thursday, which marks the opening day of Santa Anita's 90th anniversary season. After a long 1,900-mile trailer trek from his winter base at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Mystik Dan arrived at Santa Anita on Wednesday night. He becomes the first reigning Kentucky Derby winner to race at Santa Anita since California Chrome in 2015.

Thrilling Kentucky Derby Finish and Beyond

Mystik Dan narrowly prevailed in this year's Kentucky Derby by a nose, creating a thrilling three-way photo finish. Just two weeks later, he finished second in the Preakness Stakes before an eighth-place result in the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of racing's Triple Crown. After a summer off, Mystik Dan returned to the work tab in late October at Keeneland and has breezed eight times for his comeback effort. This includes a remarkable bullet five-furlong move in 59.8 seconds on Saturday at Fair Grounds.Regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. will be in the irons for Mystik Dan. The colt by Goldencents has an impressive record of 9: 3-2-1 with $4,161,360 in earnings for owners 4G Racing, Valley View Farm, Lance Gasaway and Daniel Hamby.

Malibu Stakes Contenders

Among those looking to upend Mystik Dan in the Malibu are several notable horses. Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-up Bentornato, trained by José D’Angelo, was beaten by just a half-length by Straight No Chaser in the six-furlong Breeders' Cup Sprint on Nov. 2 at Del Mar. Before that, the Valiant Minister colt won the Gallant Bob (G2), also going six furlongs, at Parx in September. Owned by Leon King Stable, Bentornato is 9: 5-2-2 with $1,131,830 in earnings. He will be ridden from the rail post by Luis Sáez, who was also aboard in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.Stronghold, by Ghostzapper, cuts back in distance for trainer Phil D’Amato following consecutive runner-up finishes in the Indiana Derby (G3) in July and the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) in September. Owned and bred by Rick and Sharon Waller, Stronghold is 9: 3-5-0 with $1,068,000 in earnings. Regular rider Antonio Fresu has the call from post 7.Raging Torrent finished seventh in the Breeders' Cup Sprint after being forwardly placed in the early going. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Raging Torrent's win in the Pat O’Brien in August at Del Mar upped his record to 3-for-4 at seven furlongs. Now 11: 4-1-2 with $487,400 in earnings for owners Great Friends Stables and Mark Davis, Raging Torrent will have Frankie Dettori aboard for the first time and drew the outside post.Winterfell failed to break his maiden in five starts this year when he was part of Baffert's Santa Anita stable. He subsequently was sent cross country and promptly reeled off three consecutive wins, including the seven-furlong City of Laurel on Nov. 30 at Laurel Park. The Arrogate colt returned to Santa Anita this month. Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables, Winterfell is 8: 3-1-1 with $147,040 in earnings. He will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez for the first time from post 3.The Malibu is one of six graded stakes on the opening-day program at Santa Anita. With an approximate start time of 5:30 p.m. EST, it is the eighth of 11 races. The first post is at 2 p.m.