Pedigree Profile: Mystic Guide

Speed combined with stamina is the recipe for success over classic distances. And since the pedigree of Mystic Guide blends both in seemingly equal doses, it’s safe to assume this beautifully-bred youngster has the potential to be something special.

The top half of Mystic Guide’s pedigree provides a perfect example of how deadly sprinting speed can be when mixed with classic stamina. Mystic Guide is a son of 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, who possessed enough speed to dominate the 6 1/2-furlong Vosburgh (G1) by daylight and enough stamina to win the 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in the stakes-record time of 1:59.02.

At stud, Ghostzapper has proven capable of siring all types. Canadian classic winners Shaman Ghost and Holy Helena displayed plentiful stamina while winning the 1 1/4-mile Queen’s Plate, and Shaman Ghost actually handled 1 1/2 miles just fine in the Brooklyn (G2). Yet Ghostzapper has also sired a champion female sprinter (Judy the Beauty), an elite turf miler (Better Lucky), and a Grade 1-caliber synthetic specialist (Stately Victor).

Similar versatility can be found in the bottom half of Mystic Guide’s pedigree. One only needs to examine his dam, Music Note. A daughter of 1992 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner A.P. Indy, Music Note displayed plenty of her sire’s stamina when crushing the 1 1/4-mile Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) by 11 lengths. But the five-time Grade 1 winner had ample speed too—enough to beat champion sprinters Indian Blessing and Informed Decision by 5 1/4 lengths in the 7-furlong Ballerina (G1).

Prior to the emergence of Mystic Guide, Music Note hadn’t produced much of note as a broodmare, though her durable son Ventura Highway (by Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense) did win 12 of his 66 starts while primarily running a mile or farther.

In short, Mystic Guide boasts one of the most impressive pedigrees of the 2020 classic generation, and he certainly put his breeding to good use when unleashing a sustained rally to win the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy (G2) on Sept. 5 at Saratoga. This promising performance has stamped the Godolphin homebred as a contender for the Oct. 3 Preakness (G1) racing 1 3/16 miles, a distance Mystic Guide should relish with every ounce of his classy pedigree.