Couple married on day of Kentucky Derby win big thanks to horse that shares groom’s name

ST. LOUIS (KMOV/Gray News) - A wedding on the day of the Kentucky Derby unexpectedly turned lucky for a St. Louis couple after the groom’s friends made a bet on Mystik Dan.

Dan Fredman got married to his wife, Stephanie Fredman, on Saturday, but his lucky streak didn’t end there. He also got a big payday, thanks to 10 of his friends and a horse that shares his name, KMOV reports.

Dan Fredman’s friends looked up the horses racing in the Kentucky Derby and spotted one named Mystik Dan.

“How could we not put money on a horse named Mystik Dan when Dan is the one getting married?” said his friend, Brian.

Each of Dan Fredman’s 10 friends placed a $10 bet on Mystik Dan. The horse ended up winning in an upset, edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young in a three-horse photo finish.

“We were not expecting it to win. It was a 20-to-1 shot,” said Dan Fredman’s friend, Jason.

The couple’s winnings totaled nearly $2,000. Their friends say the money has to be spent enjoying their honeymoon in Chile.

“This added a layer of fun to the day but also coming out with a great story and a little bit of spending money on our honeymoon,” Stephanie Fredman said.

While two Dans won big Saturday, Dan Fredman says he won the most by winning his wife’s heart.

“Very lucky. She’s the best,” he said.

Copyright 2024 KMOV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.