Timothy D. Easley/Special to the Courier-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kentucky Derby winner Mage to race in Preakness

Originally posted on Field Level Media | Last updated 5/12/23

Kentucky Derby winner Mage is a go for the 148th running of the Preakness Stakes.

His co-owner, Ramiro Restrepo, said Friday that the horse has "had a magnificent week of training" since winning the Kentucky Derby last Saturday.

The Preakness will be held May 20 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. It's the second leg of the Triple Crown races.

Mage, going off at 15-1, rallied in the stretch to edge Two Phil's and win America's most prestigious horse race at Louisville's Churchill Downs.

Mage, who finished second in the Florida Derby in his prior start, was ridden by Javier Castellano. Trained by Venezuelan native Gustavo Delgado, Mage was making just his fourth career start.

Mage went through a workout on Friday morning at Churchill Downs and will train again Saturday before heading to Baltimore. Castellano will ride him again in the Preakness.

Restrepo said Mage has been running just as he did before the Derby, adding "that type of consistency merits a shot at the Preakness."

Rich Strike, who won the 2022 Derby as an 80-1 long shot, did not run at Pimlico last year. He was the first Derby winner since 1985 that didn't take part in the Preakness for a nonmedical reason since 1985, according to The Baltimore Sun.

That 1985 horse was Spend A Buck, whose owner decided to pass on the Preakness for a chance at a more lucrative payday by running in the Jersey Derby the following week instead.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

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