Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

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 triumph in the 149th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve triumph that will make the Delgados and jockey Javier Castellano the toast of Venezuela.

Mage, a winner in one of only three previous starts, shook off his inexperience and made a dazzling charge to the front to turn back fellow longshot Two Phil’s by one length on Saturday 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 roses in vain with 15 previous mounts.

Castellano thanked God when the moment he yearned for finally arrived. “I never give up. I always tried hard,” he said.

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, 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.

“Sometimes you have to follow your intuition, your gut,” Delgado Jr. said of his willingness to go way beyond his budget for what turned into the horse of his family’s dreams and that of his winning owners OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH.

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.

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.