In the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the biggest event in horse racing, the mood at Churchill Downs was tense and chaotic. Seven deaths of horses at the Santa Anita Park in California earlier this year had raised questions about the safety of the sport, and protesters gathered outside the gates of Churchill Downs, calling for greater transparency and accountability from the racing industry.
But on Saturday evening, a brilliant performance by Mage at the 149th Kentucky Derby ended the week on a high note. The 3-year-old chestnut colt, trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Javier Castellano, surged late to win the prestigious first leg of the Triple Crown in an official time of 2:01.57.
Mage was a 15-1 shot, not one of the favorites going into the race, but he ran a smart race and timed his surge to perfection. As the horses turned for home, he was in sixth place, but he moved up quickly on the outside and overtook the leaders in the final 100 yards.
The victory was a sweet one for Delgado, a Venezuelan-born trainer who had never won a Triple Crown race before. Delgado has been training horses in the United States since 1987, but he has faced challenges in recent years, including a ban from racing in Florida for six months in 2017 for medication violations.
Castellano, a Hall of Fame jockey who has won four Eclipse Awards for outstanding jockey, was also thrilled with the win. He had never ridden Mage before, but he had faith in the horse's ability and trusted Delgado's training.
The win was also a surprise for Mage's owners, OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH. They had bought the horse for $170,000 at a yearling sale in 2018, but they had not expected him to win the Kentucky Derby.
After the race, the owners and the trainer celebrated in Barn 42, where Mage was stabled. A thunderstorm passed over Churchill Downs, but nothing could dampen their spirits. They hugged each other and smiled for the cameras, reveling in the moment of victory.
The win was not just a moment of joy for Mage's connections, but also for the racing industry as a whole. After the deaths of seven horses at the Santa Anita Park, many people had questioned the future of the sport. Some had called for a ban on horse racing, while others had called for greater regulation and oversight.
But the Kentucky Derby is the crown jewel of horse racing, and the sport could not afford another scandal or tragedy. The victory by Mage, a horse who had not been overworked or overmedicated, was a sign that the racing industry could still produce great champions without sacrificing the welfare of the horses.
Mage's win also highlighted the importance of breeding and genetics in horse racing. Mage is the son of Good Magic, a sire who won multiple graded stakes races, and Puca, a mare who had not won any stakes races but had a pedigree that suggested she could produce a top-class horse.
The breeding of horses is a complex science, involving careful selection of stallions and mares based on their performance, conformation, and temperament. Mage's win was a testament to the skill and knowledge of the breeders who had produced him.
The win by Mage also had financial implications for the owners and the racing industry. The Kentucky Derby is not just a race, but also a business, with millions of dollars at stake. The purse for the race was $3 million, with $1.86 million going to the winner.
The victory by Mage was a boon for his owners, who had made a smart investment in buying him as a yearling. It was also a boost for the breeding industry, as Mage's success could lead to higher prices for his sire and dam and their offspring.
But the win by Mage was not without controversy. The race was marred by several incidents, including the disqualification of Maximum Security, the horse who had crossed the finish line first but was found to have interfered with other horses during the race.
The disqualification was a rare occurrence in the Kentucky Derby, and it sparked debate among racing fans and experts. Some argued that the decision was justified, while others felt that it was too harsh and that the stewards had overreacted.
The controversy also highlighted the importance of fair play and sportsmanship in horse racing. The sport depends on the integrity of its participants, and any hint of cheating or foul play can tarnish its reputation.
In conclusion, the victory by Mage at the 149th Kentucky Derby was a moment of joy and celebration for his connections and the racing industry. It was a sign that horse racing can still produce great champions without sacrificing the welfare of the horses or the integrity of the sport.
Mage's win was also a reminder of the importance of breeding and genetics in horse racing. It was a tribute to the skill and knowledge of the breeders who had produced him.
The win was not without controversy, but it provided an opportunity for the racing industry to reflect on its practices and strive for greater transparency and accountability. The Kentucky Derby is a tradition that has endured for over a century, and it will continue to be a source of excitement and inspiration for generations to come.
