Kentucky Derby Winner Mage’s Four-Race Experience Could Be A Plus | 2023 Preakness Stakes News

OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and CMNWLTH’s Mage became only the second horse to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) without racing at age 2 since Apollo in 1882. The other was 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify.

Mage also was only the third Derby winner since the filly Regret in 1915 to prevail in its fourth lifetime start, following Justify and Big Brown in 2008.

With four races, including the 1 ¼-mile Derby, behind Mage, the light schedule now could work into his favor in the Preakness Stakes (G1).

 “Yes,” Gustavo Delgado Jr., son of and assistant to trainer Gustavo Delgado, said earlier in the week. “What happened to be the opposite side coming into the Derby – if the horse is feeling good enough to pursue the Preakness and Triple Crown – now we are on the good side of it. Because he’s lightly raced, and everything seems in order for him to continue to improve.”

Mage had a second day of galloping at Churchill Downs Wednesday after two days off following the Kentucky Derby. Delgado Jr. gave the “so far, so good” update while reiterating that final plans have not been made.