LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mage defied the odds with a stunning victory at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, a race marred by the tragic deaths of seven horses, which raised serious concerns about the future of horse racing. The day was nerve-wracking, as it also witnessed two additional fatalities just before the 149th running of this prestigious event.
Starting as a 15-1 long shot with only one prior career win, Mage’s unexpected triumph against 17 seasoned competitors was far from guaranteed in a race known for favoring the experienced. However, Mage showcased a remarkable performance, pulling ahead during a gutsy stretch run to finish strong, winning by a length. He covered the 1 1/4 miles in a time of 2:01.57.
Mage’s victory placed him in an elite category, joining previous Derby winners Justify (2018), Big Brown (2008), and Regret (1915), all of whom had only three prior starts before their Derby wins. “He proved today that it didn’t matter,” said Gustavo Delgado Jr., the assistant trainer and co-owner.
Guided by Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who had fallen out of favor recently, Mage benefitted from Castellano’s skilled ride. The jockey ended a streak of 15 unsuccessful attempts in the Derby, stating, “I never give up. I always try hard to do the right thing. It took me a little while to get there. I finally got it.” Castellano and trainer Delgado hail from Venezuela, adding to the cultural significance of their win. Mage’s victory connects him to Canonero II, the Venezuelan horse that won the Derby and Preakness in 1971.
Questions About Horse Racing’s Safety Amid Tragedy
During the race, Mage found himself trailing behind in the backstretch, with only three horses behind him. However, Castellano and Mage began to make their move, launching their run on the far turn. “Turning for home, he had a lot of heart,” Castellano remarked. “He’s a little horse with a big heart.” Two Phil’s had initially stormed to the lead at the top of the stretch, but Mage maneuvered to the outside and passed him at the eighth pole, securing victory.
“Everything went according to plan,” said Delgado Jr. “This is the dream I have; a year-and-a-half ago, I wrote a note: ‘We’re going to win the Derby next year.’”
Before the race, the early favorite Forte was scratched due to a bruised foot, one of five horses that dropped out shortly before the event. Mage’s win resulted in payouts of $32.42, $14.58, and $9.08, netting him $1,860,000 for the largest victory of his young career.
Two Phil’s returned $10.44 and $6.52 to his backers, with trainer Larry Rivelli praising his effort: “Man, he tried so hard and ran his heart out.” Angel of Empire, the 4-1 favorite, finished a half-length back in third place, with 150,335 fans in attendance on a warm, partly cloudy day at Churchill Downs.
Earlier that day, two horses, Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point, were euthanized due to injuries sustained in their races, marking the sixth and seventh fatalities at the track within a short period. “It’s a very difficult subject to touch upon,” said Ramiro Restrepo, a member of Mage’s ownership and a bloodstock agent. He expressed hope that investigations into the recent deaths would yield answers regarding the troubling trend.
The string of fatalities cast a shadow over the event, and many attendees voiced their concerns. “It’s concerning, and I hope they’re quickly trying the best they can to correct whatever’s going on,” said Michael Freeze, who attended the race dressed as a jockey. “They need to do whatever is best for the horses and the sport in general.”
Chloe’s Dream suffered an injury to his right front knee, while Freezing Point sustained a left ankle injury after being bumped during the race. Trainers from both horses expressed their disappointment at the unfortunate incidents, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport.
New anti-doping and medication regulations are set to take effect on May 22, as the sport continues to confront its challenges. “All I can say is we do our best to take care of our horses. We treat them better than we treat our children. And we have full confidence in the soundness of our horse,” Restrepo stated. Mage had trained at Churchill Downs for two weeks leading up to the Derby and thrived in that environment.
The fatalities included Derby contender Wild On Ice, with two horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. prompting his indefinite suspension from the track. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of death for those horses.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who previously faced a two-year ban due to a post-race drug test failure involving Medina Spirit in 2021, observed the race from afar as he nears the end of his suspension.
Among the four horses that were scratched prior to the race were Practical Move and Skinner, both due to fevers, while Continuar was not in peak form.
Following Mage in the order of finish were Disarm, Hit Show, Japan-based Derma Sotogake, and Tapit Trice, among others, as the Derby left an indelible mark on the sport, raising crucial questions about horse welfare and racing safety.
Source : https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2023-05-06/kentucky-derby-runs-into-more-obstacles-ahead-of-big-race
