2023 Kentucky Derby Post Positions, Entries, Odds and Predictions: Mage

The 149th Kentucky Derby (G1) presented by Woodford Reserve will be run on Saturday, May 6, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The purse is $3 million, with $1.86 million going to the winner. US Racing is profiling each horse in the field. The post-position draw is Monday, May 1. Profiles will be updated with post positions and odds following the draw.

By US Racing Team

If Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Mage gets off to a good start in the Kentucky Derby (G1), he just might have a chance to wind up wearing the garland of roses.

Big Brown, the maternal grandsire of Mage (we know it’s a reach but keep reading) blew away the field in the 2008 Florida Derby by 5 lengths, then won the Kentucky Derby by 4 ¾ lengths.

Like Big Brown, Mage is lightly raced – both horses made their third career starts in the Florida Derby.

The results weren’t the same, but Mage was racing last until the turn, when he blazed into contention, took the lead in the stretch but couldn’t hold off expected Derby favorite Forte in the final strides.

It was a gallant effort, and if bloodlines mean anything Mage is worth a look in your wagering.

The runner-up effort boosted the Gustavo Delgado-trainee into Derby contention with 40 qualifying points.

After the race, Delgado’s son, Gustavo Delgado Jr., said: “We expected a better break from the gate. That was key. It happened again (he hit the gate at the start of the Fountain of Youth); it can’t happen in a race like the Derby. Other than that, what else can you ask?”

Luis Saez was aboard in the Florida Derby, but the younger Delgado said Javier Castellano will be aboard on Derby Day (the Hall of Famer rode him in the Fountain of Youth).

Mage, a son of 2017 2-year-old champion Good Magic, arrived at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, April 25, after a long van ride from Florida, and went out for 1 ¼-mile gallop.

“He’s a pretty laid-back horse,” Delgado, Jr. said. “He gave us the impression that he enjoys the track, so far, so good.”

2023 Kentucky Derby Entries Odds and Predictions: Mage

Post position: 8

Odds: 15-1

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Owners: OGMA Investments LLC, Restrepo, Sterling Racing LLC, CMNWLTH

Career record: 3-1-1-0

Career earnings: $247,200

Derby qualifying points: 50 (16^th)

Best Equibase speed figure: 102

Pedigree: Good Magic-Puca, by Big Brown

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Front-runner/stalker

Notes: In his three starts, Mage won his debut at Gulfstream Park, finished fourth to Forte in the Fountain of Youth, and second by a length to Forte in the Florida Derby … This will be the third Derby starter for Venezuelan Delgado – Bodexpress ran 13^th in 2019, and Majesto ran 18^th in 2016 … Castellano is 0-for-15 in the Derby; his best finish was third aboard Audible in 2018.