Latin American horse racing fans celebrate because history repeats itself. Venezuela leads the Churchill Downs racetrack standings for the second time in a row, as the 149th edition of the Kentucky Derby (G1) had Mage victorious, the 3-year-old colt ridden by Venezuelan jockey Javier Castellano and trained by Gustavo Delgado Socorro.
In 2:01.57 seconds, Mage covered the mile-and-a-quarter distance. Then, in front of 150,335 spectators, the colt beat Two Phil’s, trained by Larry Rivelli and ridden by Jareth Loveberry, and Angel of Empire, trained by Brad Cox of Louisville and ridden by Flavien Prat, in the final meters.
Undoubtedly, it was an extremely exciting race from start to finish. But, surprisingly, for the second consecutive year, a Venezuelan rider managed to come from behind in the last meters to take the victory in one of the most important horse races in the world.
After finishing second to Forte in the Florida Derby (G1), Mage made a flawless transition from the post in the final 400 meters to take the lead in the final 200 meters and fend off Two Phil, who ran hard on the inside but was unable to close the gap.
This son of Good Magic in Puca ran a great time and now has the only chance to win the Triple Crown. He should win the Belmont Stakes in June and the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes in two weeks.
Kentucky Derby Top 10
- Mage
- Two Phil’s
- Angel of Empire
- Skinner
- Tapit Trice
- Lord Miles
- Derma Sotogake
- Kingsbarns
- Raise Cain
- Rocket Can
2023 Kentucky Derby: Atypical situations
Chloe’s Dream, a 3-year-old gelding, and Freezing Point, a 3-year-old colt, collapsed during Derby’s preliminary racing session, becoming the sixth and seventh horse to die recently at Churchill Downs.
Despite being the favorite, Forte missed the Derby due to injury. It was a serious setback for a sport already suffering from sanctions and problems with equine doping.
Forte, the number one betting favorite, withdrew from the Kentucky Derby 2023 after falling during one of his final gallops, and Lord Miles was disqualified. Mike Repole, Forte’s owner, has said he feels the date is cursed. In 2011, his colt Uncle Mo had to be withdrawn a day early due to a gastroenteritis infection.
This is the first time in history that two Venezuelan riders have won the Kentucky Derby in a row. As we have repeatedly mentioned, this is the world’s most prestigious horse race, and only the best competes at Churchill Downs.
In 2022, the winner was Sonny Leon, with an excellent comeback in the final meters with the colt Rick Strike.
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