Mage Winner Of The Kentucky Derby Is The Early Preakness Favorite

By Jim Williams

Saturday in front of a sellout crowd at historic Churchill Downs a 15-1 long shot named Mage won the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. Mage not only won the rose-draped flowers over his shoulders but also the first leg of racing elusive Triple Crown with the next stop coming May 20th in Baltimore at Pimlico Racetrack where it will be the running of the 148th Preakness Stakes.

However, despite the wonderful story of yet another longshot winning the Derby crown, there remains a dark cloud over thoroughbred racing in the United States. Two horses died on race and another five during the week making it seven as more focus is being placed on why these tragedies are happening.

“While each incident reported has been unique, it is important to note that there has been no discernible pattern detected in the injuries sustained,” the track said in a statement that called the incidents “unacceptable.”

The thoroughbred industry moved to take more strict medical measures after 30 horses died during a season at the Santa Anita racetrack in Los Angeles. The Jockey Club, which owns an extensive database and oversees the breed registry for thoroughbreds in the United States and Canada, reported that more than 7,200 horses died in races from 2009-21.

Meanwhile, at Churchill Downs, Kentucky Horseracing Commission and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority have launched an extensive investigation into what caused the seven horses there to lose their lives. “We will rigorously work to understand what caused these incidents,” Churchill Downs said in a statement.

As for Mage, the Derby winner, he has only participated in four races so his trainer Gustavo Delgado will be faced with the draw to go for the Triple Crown at the Preakness in Baltimore or give his horse more time to rest. At this point, he plans on running Mage through his normal training sessions before he makes the call to head north to Baltimore.

“It’s never going to be at the expense of the horse. If my guy is feeling the way he’s feeling, then on to Baltimore and crab cakes we go,” co-owner Ramiro A. Restrepo told reporters after the race. Should Mage run in the Preakness then there is little doubt he would be the favorite with odds anywhere between 5-2 and 4-1 — depending upon whether scratched Derby favorite Forte is entered.