Damp air from early morning rain enveloped trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr.’s backside barn at Churchill Downs May 7 as Mage, the newly crowned winner of the 149th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, hung his head outsi
Tom Pedulla presents five key takeaways from the 149th edition of the $3 million, Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
The 2023 edition of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve was an unforgettable one, as Mage, making only the fourth start of his career, came from far off the pace, rallied past horses wide on the turn and into the lane, and then caught Two Phil's in deep stretch to win the run for the roses by a length.
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.
