Mage, the 2023 Kentucky Derby winner, training at Churchill Downs; Preakness status unclear
After two days of rest, Kentucky Derby winner Mage returned to the track for training Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.
Mage jogged one mile and galloped one mile, and assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said he’s pleased with the horse’s demeanor since winning the Run for the Roses.
“So far so good,” Delgado said. “Everything after the race has been very nice for him. He’s eating everything. He went out for a jog and a gallop today, and on his way back you could tell he wanted to do a little bit more. … We’re going to keep an eye on that so he doesn’t do too much.”
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The likely next step for Mage is the Preakness on May 20 in Baltimore, though Delgado said connections are taking it “day by day” and have not confirmed plans to ship the horse to Maryland.
If Mage skips the Preakness, he would be the second consecutive Kentucky Derby winner to do so. Rich Strike skipped last year’s Preakness before running in the Belmont.
“We really don’t want to feel any pressure about going or not going to the Preakness,” Delgado said. “We’re letting the horse tell us. It’s going to be a huge effort after two weeks.”
Delgado said there are no plans to breeze Mage over the next few days.
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“He’s fit enough already,” Delgado said. “It’s pretty much about keeping him happy at all times. If he has any effort, it’s going to be in the race — if we decide to go, if he wants to go.”
Delgado said he’s “still digesting” the Derby victory and has watched a replay of the race “at least 400 times.”
Delgado’s father, Gustavo Sr., is Mage’s head trainer, and Javier Castellano is the jockey. Both were born in Venezuela.
“Lots of people have reached out to us, especially from Venezuela,” Delgado Jr. said. “The whole country, I understand, is in pure joy. For us, we can’t feel any more proud. This is for them.”
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Two Phil’s to skip Preakness
The Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald reported Monday night that Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil’s will not compete in the Preakness.
“Too soon,” trainer Larry Rivelli said. “‘Phil’ came out of the Derby great. We shipped back to Chicago Sunday, but the Preakness is just 12 days away. That's just too soon.”
Two Phil’s and jockey Jareth Loveberry took the lead with a quarter mile remaining in the Kentucky Derby but lost by one length to Mage.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Preakness Stakes 2023 contenders: Latest on Kentucky Derby winner Mage
