With a strong rally near the center of the track, Mage edged past a resolute Two Phil’s to win the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) May 6 at Churchill Downs.
Campaigned by OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH, Mage completed the 1 1/4-mile test in 2:01.57. He was followed home by Two Phil’s and favorite Angel of Empire . Disarm finished fourth. Mage returned $32.42 to win.
A son of 2017 champion 2-year-old male and 2018 Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic , Mage is trained by Gustavo Delgado and was ridden to victory by Racing Hall of Famer Javier Castellano. Each picked up their first career Kentucky Derby win.
“He’s a little horse with a big heart,”” Castellan said. “It was the dream trip for any jockey.”
For Castellano, the Hall of Fame rider, the victory provided him with his first Kentucky Derby win after managing just a third in his first 15 rides.
“I never gave up and tried hard. It took me a while to get there but I’m very blessed to be here,” he said.
It was just the fourth career start for Mage, who was coming off a second in the Florida Derby (G1) behind Forte , the morning-line favorite who was scratched earlier in the day.
When asked about continuing the quest for a Triple Crown sweep in the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1), Delgado laughed and said, “Give me a couple of days at least.”.
Out of the Big Brown mare Puca , Mage was bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine.
Eighteen 3-year-olds started the Derby, the smallest field since 15 started in the 2020 Derby, which was delayed until September and contested without fans because of COVID-19 precautions and protocols. There had been 23 horses entered, counting three also-eligibles, but the race saw five horses scratched from the field—including the champion 2-year-old male of 2022 Forte.
The other four horses scratched were Skinner , Practical Move , Lord Miles , and Continuar .
This story will be updated.
