Derby Mage Winner Confirmed For Preakness In Triple Crown Bid | Preakness Betting

Kentucky Derby Winning Magician will run at Preakness 148 after an encouraging workout at Churchill Downs, its co-owner said.

Mage galloped about a mile and a half at a brisk pace with exercise cyclist JJ Delgado aboard on a cloudy but balmy Friday morning at the track. Co-owner and blood agent Ramiro Restrepo said the sorrel colt was “thriving” with good energy levels after his latest training session. since he won the Derby 149paving the way for the horse to enter the second jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico in Baltimore.

“He’s had a terrific week of training,” Restrepo said with co-owner Chase Chamberlin, co-founder and director of racing at partner CMNWLTH. ”(Coach) Gustavo Delgado (Jr) was really pleased and excited about how he has come back. He has shown all the positive signs. So, let’s go to Baltimore and crab cakes, here we go.”

Mage is coming off a one-length win over Two Phil’s in the Derby at odds of 15-1 after coming into contention going into the homestretch. The son of Good Magic and Puca by 2008 Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown earned a distinctive victory after placing second and fourth in the Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth, respectively. He didn’t race when he was two, but won his Gulfstream debut by nearly four lengths.

Mage will run in the 1 3/16th Preakness on May 20, just two weeks after covering 1 1/4 miles in the Derby in 2:01.57. Restrepo said the horse has done everything he did before the Derby, and his recovery is being monitored after his longest ride.

He will return to training Saturday morning before being driven to Baltimore with another workout planned for Monday. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who won his first Derby in 16 attempts, will once again have the mount.

“We have been monitoring this situation with all the love that he has shown us on the track,” Restrepo added. “We’re trying to give him that and give him time to show us what’s up and everything he did before the Derby.

“He carried on all the way, so that kind of consistency deserves a chance in the Preakness.”