Trainer Gustavo Delgado gave his son, Gustavo Delgado Jr., strict orders not to spend more than $100,000 for a colt he coveted at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale in Timonium, Md. The son, captivated by the quality of the colt in front of him, subsequently named Mage, ignored his father’s wishes in making a winning bid of $290,000.

His disobedience resulted in a Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve triumph that will make the Delgados and jockey Javier Castellano the toast of Venezuela.

Javier Castellano after winning derby aboard Mage. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Mage, a winner of one of only three previous starts, shook off his inexperience and made a dazzling charge to the front to overtake fellow longshot Two Phil’s by one length on Saturday in the 149th edition of the Derby at Churchill Downs. Favored Angel of Empire finished third.

Delgado, a leading trainer for many years in his native Venezuela, arrived in South Florida in 2014, driven by the dream of winning the Derby. Castellano, from the same country, had chased the Derby in vain with 15 previous mounts.

Castellano, 45, thanked God when the moment he yearned for finally arrived.

“I never give up. I always tried hard,” he said. In a sign of how much Castellano is beloved by his fellow riders, Junior Alvarado drew his also-ran mount, Rocket Can, close to the winner so he could hug his rival.

The Delgados, who have said they view Castellano as “family,” chose him to succeed Luis Saez as Mage’s rider after Saez chose to ride Tapit Trice, viewed as a top contender, for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

It appeared the moment might be too large for Mage, a chestnut son of 2018 Derby runner-up Good Magic, when he reared at least twice during the walkover. But it was not. He rewarded his few backers by returning $32.42 for a $2 wager. He completed the mile and a quarter in 2:01.57.

Castellano credited his long-awaited victory to patience. Mage has a tendency to break poorly and he did so again. “I took my time. I didn’t rush,” he said. “I saved all the ground I could.”

As for the way-beyond budget purchase of what turned into the horse of his family’s dreams, Delgado Jr. said, “Sometimes you have to follow your intuition, your gut.”

Delgado Jr. said he was a child growing up in Venezuela when his father first spoke longingly of the Derby.

“He always felt he could accomplish that,” Delgado Jr. said. “I remember when I was a kid and he was successful in Venezuela and he said, ‘Some day we will go to the states and win one of these races.’”

Mage is owned by the Delgado’s OGMA Investments in partnership with Ramiro Restrepo, Sam Herzberg’s Sterling Racing and CMNWLTH, which sells small shares in horses to make the Sport of Kings accessible to those who are far from kings.

For the Delgados, they have never forgotten where they came from. “The energy from there we felt today,” Delgado Jr. said. “You have a whole country backing you up.”

This year’s Derby also will be remembered for the unfortunate circumstances surrounding favored 2-year-old champion Forte, owned by seemingly star-crossed Mike Repole, and four other scheduled starters that were scratched.

Forte (Coady Photography)

After Forte galloped Saturday morning to test a right front foot that Repole said had been bruised three days before, state veterinarians determined that the star colt should join Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move, upset Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino victor Lord Miles, Japanese standout Continuar, and third-place Santa Anita Derby finisher Skinner among the horses that were scratched.

As many as five horses had not been scratched from the Derby since 1936, when 19 were entered and only 14 ran.

Repole, a self-made billionaire, ranks as one of racing’s most enthusiastic supporters. He co-owns Forte with Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable. The veterinarians' decision evoked memories of the devastating blow Repole  endured in 2011.

At that time, Uncle Mo, a brilliant 2-year-old champion and the Derby favorite, had to be scratched the day before the opening leg of the Triple Crown. He was ultimately diagnosed with a rare liver ailment.

As if that was not agonizing enough for Repole, he was forced to settle for a second-place finish in the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks on Friday when Gambling Girl staged a tremendous rally that fell a neck short of allowing her to overtake Pretty Mischievous. Repole also suffered a narrow miss in last year’s Oaks, when Nest was second best to Secret Oath by two lengths.

Forte has won six of seven career races. The dark bay son of Violence had swept both of his starts as a 3-year-old, dominating the Fountain of Youth Stakes before an all-out victory by one length against Mage in the Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa five weeks ago. Both of those races were contested at Gulfstream Park.

Repole emphasized that no consideration will be given to retiring Forte. He expressed hope that the 3-year-old can be ready for the May 20 Preakness, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, if the decision is made to run him there.

2023 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve
May 6th, 2023

Winning Time: 2:01.57

• Purse: $3,000,000
• Distance: 1 1/4 Miles
• Age: 3 yo
• Surface: Dirt
• Winning Time: 2:01.57

Results

Win

Place

Show

1^st

8 Mage

$32.42

$14.58

$9.08

• Jockey / Javier Castellano
• Trainer / Gustavo Delgado

• Owner / OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and CMNWLTH
• Breeder / Grandview Equine

2^nd

3 Two Phil's

$10.44

$6.52

• Jockey / Jareth Loveberry
• Trainer / Larry Rivelli

• Owner / Patricia's Hope LLC, Sagan, Phillip and Madaket Stables LLC
• Breeder / Phillip Sagan

3^rd

14 Angel of Empire

$4.70

• Jockey / Flavien Prat
• Trainer / Brad H. Cox

• Owner / Albaugh Family Stables LLC
• Breeder / Forgotten Land Investment Inc & Black Diamond Equine Corp

4^th

11 Disarm

• Jockey / Joel Rosario
• Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen

• Owner / Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
• Breeder / Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

5^th

1 Hit Show

• Jockey / Manuel Franco
• Trainer / Brad H. Cox

• Owner / Gary and Mary West
• Breeder / Gary & Mary West Stables Inc.

6^th

17 Derma Sotogake (JPN)

• Jockey / Christophe Lemaire
• Trainer / Hidetaka Otonashi

• Owner / Hiroyuki Asanuma
• Breeder / Shadai Farm

7^th

5 Tapit Trice

• Jockey / Luis Saez
• Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher

• Owner / Whisper Hill Farm, LLC and Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck)
• Breeder / Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd.

8^th

16 Raise Cain

• Jockey / Gerardo Corrales
• Trainer / Ben Colebrook

• Owner / Warren, Andrew N. and Warren, Rania
• Breeder / Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, LLC

9^th

18 Rocket Can

• Jockey / Junior Alvarado
• Trainer / William I. Mott

• Owner / Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, Inc.
• Breeder / Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC

10^th

4 Confidence Game

• Jockey / James Graham
• Trainer / J. Keith Desormeaux

• Owner / Don't Tell My Wife Stables and Ocean Reef Racing
• Breeder / Summer Wind Equine LLC

11^th

13 Sun Thunder

• Jockey / Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
• Trainer / Kenneth G. McPeek

• Owner / R.T Racing Stable and Cypress Creek Equine
• Breeder / Southern Equine Stables, LLC

12^th

22 Mandarin Hero (JPN)

• Jockey / Kazushi Kimura
• Trainer / Terunobu Fujita

• Owner / Hiroaki Arai
• Breeder / Hirano Bokujo

13^th

7 Reincarnate

• Jockey / John R. Velazquez
• Trainer / Tim Yakteen

• Owner / SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, et al
• Breeder / Woods Edge Farm, LLC

14^th

6 Kingsbarns

• Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz
• Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher

• Owner / Spendthrift Farm LLC
• Breeder / Parks Investment Group, LLC

15^th

23 King Russell

• Jockey / Rafael Bejarano
• Trainer / Ron Moquett

• Owner / Jones, Brereton C. and Naber Racing, LLC
• Breeder / Brereton C. Jones

16^th

2 Verifying

• Jockey / Tyler Gaffalione
• Trainer / Brad H. Cox

• Owner / Westerberg, Magnier, Poulin, Smith, and Tabor
• Breeder / Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm, LLC

17^th

12 Jace's Road

• Jockey / Florent Geroux
• Trainer / Brad H. Cox

• Owner / West Point Thoroughbreds and Albaugh Family Stables LLC
• Breeder / Colts Neck Stables LLC

18^th

21 Cyclone Mischief

• Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr.
• Trainer / Dale L. Romans

• Owner / Albaugh Family Stables LLC and Castleton Lyons
• Breeder / Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate

Scratches

Skinner

Lord Miles

Forte

Continuar (JPN)

Practical Move

Payoff

Pick 3
7-5-8

7-5-8

$41

Pick 3
3YO 9-14-8

3YO 9-14-8

$15,673

Pick 3
OAKS/FRSTR/DERBY 14-5-8

OAKS/FRSTR/DERBY 14-5-8

$510

Pick 4
14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

$1,318

Pick 5
9-14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

9-14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

$17,538

Pick 5
ALL DIRT 5-6-9-1/2/7-8/9/10/15

ALL DIRT 5-6-9-1/2/7-8/9/10/15

$3,757

Pick 6
OAKS/DERBY (SEE FOOTNOTE)

OAKS/DERBY (SEE FOOTNOTE)

$334,154

Pick 6
OAKS/DERBY (SEE FOOTNOTE)

OAKS/DERBY (SEE FOOTNOTE)

$1,221

Pick 6 Jackpot
1-9-14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

1-9-14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

$1,094,232

Daily Double
5-8

5-8

$58

Daily Double
OAKS/DERBY 14-8

OAKS/DERBY 14-8

$183

Exacta
8-3

8-3

$330

Consolation Pick 3
OAKS/DERBY 14-15

OAKS/DERBY 14-15

$9

Consolation Pick 3
3YO 9-4-8

3YO 9-4-8

$284

Consolation Pick 3
OAKS/FRSTR/DERBY 14-5-15

OAKS/FRSTR/DERBY 14-5-15

$20

Future Wager
POOL 6 - 22

POOL 6 - 22

$96

Future Wager
POOL 5 EX 22-37

POOL 5 EX 22-37

$7,863

Future Wager
POOL 4 - 28

POOL 4 - 28

$100

Future Wager
POOL 1 EX 40-19

POOL 1 EX 40-19

$56

Future Wager
POOL 2 - 40

POOL 2 - 40

$4

Future Wager
SIRE 16

SIRE 16

$53

Future Wager
POOL 3 EX 40-35

POOL 3 EX 40-35

$801

Future Wager
OAKS/DERBY DBL 29-22

OAKS/DERBY DBL 29-22

$1,100

Future Wager
POOL 2 EX 40-11

POOL 2 EX 40-11

$170

Future Wager
POOL 5 - 22

POOL 5 - 22

$154

Future Wager
POOL 3 - 40

POOL 3 - 40

$7

Future Wager
POOL 4 EX 28-37

POOL 4 EX 28-37

$22,080

Future Wager
POOL 1 - 40

POOL 1 - 40

$4

Future Wager
SIRE EX 16-18

SIRE EX 16-18

$7,157

Future Wager
POOL 6 EX 22-37

POOL 6 EX 22-37

$3,881

Superfecta
8-3-14-11

8-3-14-11

$15,644

Super High Five
8-3-14-11-1

8-3-14-11-1

$194,923

Trifecta
8-3-14

8-3-14

$491

Payoff

Pick 3
7-5-8

7-5-8

$41

Pick 3
3YO 9-14-8

3YO 9-14-8

$15,673

Pick 3
OAKS/FRSTR/DERBY 14-5-8

OAKS/FRSTR/DERBY 14-5-8

$510

Pick 4
14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

$1,318

Pick 5
9-14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

9-14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

$17,538

Pick 5
ALL DIRT 5-6-9-1/2/7-8/9/10/15

ALL DIRT 5-6-9-1/2/7-8/9/10/15

$3,757

Pick 6
OAKS/DERBY (SEE FOOTNOTE)

OAKS/DERBY (SEE FOOTNOTE)

$334,154

Pick 6
OAKS/DERBY (SEE FOOTNOTE)

OAKS/DERBY (SEE FOOTNOTE)

$1,221

Pick 6 Jackpot
1-9-14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

1-9-14-1/2/7-2/4/5-8

$1,094,232

Daily Double
5-8

5-8

$58

Daily Double
OAKS/DERBY 14-8

OAKS/DERBY 14-8

$183

Exacta
8-3

8-3

$330

Consolation Pick 3
OAKS/DERBY 14-15

OAKS/DERBY 14-15

$9

Consolation Pick 3
3YO 9-4-8

3YO 9-4-8

$284

Consolation Pick 3
OAKS/FRSTR/DERBY 14-5-15

OAKS/FRSTR/DERBY 14-5-15

$20

Future Wager
POOL 6 - 22

POOL 6 - 22

$96

Future Wager
POOL 5 EX 22-37

POOL 5 EX 22-37

$7,863

Future Wager
POOL 4 - 28

POOL 4 - 28

$100

Future Wager
POOL 1 EX 40-19

POOL 1 EX 40-19

$56

Future Wager
POOL 2 - 40

POOL 2 - 40

$4

Future Wager
SIRE 16

SIRE 16

$53

Future Wager
POOL 3 EX 40-35

POOL 3 EX 40-35

$801

Future Wager
OAKS/DERBY DBL 29-22

OAKS/DERBY DBL 29-22

$1,100

Future Wager
POOL 2 EX 40-11

POOL 2 EX 40-11

$170

Future Wager
POOL 5 - 22

POOL 5 - 22

$154

Future Wager
POOL 3 - 40

POOL 3 - 40

$7

Future Wager
POOL 4 EX 28-37

POOL 4 EX 28-37

$22,080

Future Wager
POOL 1 - 40

POOL 1 - 40

$4

Future Wager
SIRE EX 16-18

SIRE EX 16-18

$7,157

Future Wager
POOL 6 EX 22-37

POOL 6 EX 22-37

$3,881

Superfecta
8-3-14-11

8-3-14-11

$15,644

Super High Five
8-3-14-11-1

8-3-14-11-1

$194,923

Trifecta
8-3-14

8-3-14

$491

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