OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH’s Kentucky-bred Mage ran down Two Phil’s in deep stretch and went to win the 149th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) before a crowd of 150,335 at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6.
Trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Javier Castellano, Mage covered the 1 1 /4-mile distance in 2:01.57 and gave Castellano his first Kentucky Derby victory. Mage is the fourth horse to win the Derby off only three lifetime starts. The others were Justify in 2018, Big Brown in 2007, and Regret in 1915.
Turning into the backstretch, Mage had just three horses beat, but Castellano began to weave Mage through traffic. At the top of the stretch, Two Phil’s swept to the lead off the turn, but Mage was in high gear to his outside. Mage ran down Two Phil’s in the lane and went to a game score. The victory was worth $1,860,000 and increased Mage’s earnings to $2,107,200.
Bred in the Bluegrass by Grandview Equine, Mage is a son of Good Magic out of the Big Brown mare Puca.
“For all of us, this was a lot of time, dedication, and sacrifice more than anything from these two boys (trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr. and assistant trainer/co-owner Gustavo Delgado Jr.),” co-owner Ramiro Restrepo said. “This is a game that you lose way more than you win. It’s a labor of love. You’re just dream chasing. Today is very special for all of us. This is the top of the mountain in this sport for so many. Everyone knows the Kentucky Derby around the world. It’s arguably, if not the, top race in the world. We had that dream come true. For one brief second, we can exhale, and look up, and enjoy his moment.”