The Kentucky Derby countdown has begun with just a few short weeks remaining. With horses starting to ship in to Churchill Downs, and post workouts, we will be posting out Kentucky Derby Profiles of likely contingents that will be running for Derby 149. We will also be featuring our Top 10 horse for the Kentucky Derby in the video below, and updating it weekly as we see horses work and dissect their last race trips. Give us a LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay tuned for all our Derby Coverage we will be bringing to you in the upcoming days.
Mage
Pedigree:
Good Magic – Puca by Big Brown
Bred:
Kentucky by Grandview Equine
Owner:
OGMA Investments, Restrepo, Ramiro, Sterling Racing and CMNWLTH
Trainer:
Gustavo Delgado
Possible Jockey: Luis Saez
Current Fair Odds: 20/1
Coming off his maiden win at Gulfstream Park going 7 furlongs, trainer Delgado immediately knew to enter Mage into the Fountain of Youth. He knew the young horse would be up against the likes of Blazing Sevens, and Forte. Delgado is well-known for this type of approach. In 2016, he sent out Majesto for his second start in the Florida Derby; that would finish behind future Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. Again he sent out Bodexpress at 71-1, finished behind Florida Derby winner Maximum Security. And just last year he sent out O Captain a late runner of odds of 87-1 who ran third in the Fountain of Youth.
After just his 2nd start coming out of the Fountain of Youth, Mage’s inexperience definitely showed. The increased race distance and the higher class of his competition made his task very difficult. In his maiden Mage secured the lead early and fended off all upcomers. In the FoY, he was unable to get to the lead, in his notes it states Mage hit the gate on exit. So coming out of the FoY he learned from experience and was then pointed to the Florida Derby to take on Forte yet again.
In the Florida Derby, Mage again did not take the lead but set off the pace with Jockey Luis Saez to make his run late. It was in the final turn when Mage made his move with 4-5 favorite Forte behind him. Mage would surpass pace setter Cyclone Mischief to take the lead in the stretch but the form and strides of Forte would catch him at the line.
“Mage might have gotten tired but remember, it’s still his third race,” Gustavo Delgado said. ” How many races did it take Forte to get to the level he is on?”
If Mage can have a great gate break in a 20 horse field then he would be a longshot play to consider to run big in the Kentucky Derby. The big questions now are how he looks after the Florida Derby, he has yet to post any works currently at Churchill. Once people see him work and see he is in great shape I think the buzz will continue around this horse. Luis Saez was booked on him for his gate breaking ability, so the jockey that will be in the irons are still at question as well. I think this horse will be the “WiseGuy” horse in the field. He will take a fair amount of money, probably the most out of any horse that’s 20-1 or higher. Bettors will bet this horse down to single digits or low teens come post-time. Is he improving? Absolutely… Can he break well from a gate of 20? That is the big question for Mage. Hopefully Delgado has him training on the gate breaks at Churchill upon his arrival.
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