Sterling Racing LLC, a horse racing syndicate, is celebrating a major victory in the world of horse racing. Their horse, Mage, won the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 6th, 2023 at Churchill Downs. With a strong rally near the center of the track, Mage edged past a resolute Two Phil's to win the $3 million Grade 1 race.
The 149th edition of the Kentucky Derby was marred by pre-race scratches and injuries at Churchill Downs. But the Run for the Roses went on, with 18 horses competing for the prestigious title. Mage, who was not considered a top contender before the race, surprised many by coming out on top.
Mage, the 2023 Kentucky Derby winner, has a quartet of owners. Here's how each ended up investing in the champion of the 149th Run for the Roses. Ogma Investments, LLC, Restrepo, Ramiro, Sterling Racing LLC, and one anonymous owner all contributed to the purchase of Mage. Sterling Racing LLC, owned by Tom Ryan and Jason Wilson, is a relatively new player in the horse racing world, but their success with Mage has quickly put them on the map.
When early favorite Forte was scratched from the Grade 1 race hours before post time for the first leg of U.S. Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, many thought the race was wide open. Mage, who had only run in two previous graded stakes races, was not one of the favorites. But the horse and jockey, who had never won a Kentucky Derby before, proved the doubters wrong.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mage, which has ties to Butler County, won the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby Saturday night at Churchill Downs. The horse, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by jockey Johnny Velazquez, covered the 1 1/4-mile distance in 2:01.23.
Sterling Racing LLC's investment in Mage has paid off in a big way. The horse, who was purchased for $300,000, has now earned over $2.5 million in winnings. The Kentucky Derby win alone earned Mage $1.8 million in prize money.
The field for the 149th Kentucky Derby included horses with a variety of pedigrees and racing experience. Non-runners included Lord Miles, Skinner, Practical Move, Forte, and Continuar. The first owner listed for Mage is Ogma Investments, LLC, followed by Restrepo, Ramiro, Sterling Racing LLC, and the anonymous owner.
Here is the field for Saturday's 149th Kentucky Derby, with post position, horse's name, jockey's name, and current odds:
- Lookin At Lee, Corey Lanerie, 9-1
- Thunder Snow, Christophe Soumillon, 16-1
- Fast and Accurate, Channing Hill, 50-1
- Untrapped, Ricardo Santana Jr., 60-1
- Always Dreaming, John Velazquez, 5-1
- State of Honor, Jose Lezcano, 40-1
- Girvin, Mike Smith, 15-1
- Hence, Florent Geroux, 15-1
- Irap, Mario Gutierrez, 20-1
- Gunnevera, Javier Castellano, 15-1
- Battle of Midway, Flavien Prat, 30-1
- Sonneteer, Kent Desormeaux, 50-1
- J Boys Echo, Robby Albarado, 20-1
- Classic Empire, Julien Leparoux, 4-1
- McCraken, Brian Hernandez Jr., 6-1
- Tapwrit, Jose Ortiz, 20-1
- Irish War Cry, Rajiv Maragh, 6-1
- Gormley, Victor Espinoza, 15-1
Mage, the Kentucky Derby winner, had a successful sire who won multiple graded stakes races. Here's more on his pedigree after win at Churchill Downs. The horse's sire, Quality Road, won multiple Grade 1 races, including the Florida Derby and the Metropolitan Handicap. Quality Road has also become a successful sire, with his offspring earning over $60 million in winnings.
The 149th Kentucky Derby Race, the Kentucky Derby Day Program, and Kentucky Derby Week Races all set new handle records. LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CHDN) announced today that wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby Day program reached $327.8 million, an 11% increase compared to the 2022 program and previous record of $295.4 million.
