Mage Wins 149th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Mage won the 149th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 6, 2023, giving trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. his first Kentucky Derby victory and jockey Javier Castellano another Grade 1 victory at one of racing's most prestigious events.

Mage was sent off at approximately 15-1 in the morning line and at the Kentucky Derby's notoriously challenging 20-horse field, representing significant value for bettors who identified the son of Good Magic as a legitimate contender. Two Phil's finished second and Angel of Empire ran third, completing the exacta and trifecta payouts.

The race was run over 1¼ miles on a fast Churchill Downs dirt track, with Mage settling off the early pace before making a sustained run in the final turn and prevailing under Castellano's riding. The winner was trained by Venezuelan-born Gustavo Delgado Jr., making the Derby victory particularly significant for the South American horseracing community given the strong tradition of Venezuelan trainers and jockeys competing at the highest levels of US racing.

Mage's owner is Ramón Dominguez of Gulfstream Park — a former champion jockey himself who ended his riding career through injury before transitioning to horse ownership. The combination of an underdog price, first-time Derby-winning trainer, and champion-jockey-turned-owner storyline provided the human narrative backdrop to the 149th edition of the race.

The 2023 Kentucky Derby attracted heavy betting handle, consistent with the race's status as the highest single-event wagering day in US horse racing each year.