“Did Pretty Good”: Equestrian Trainer Worth $12,728,193 Goes Candid on Kentucky Derby Winner Ahead of Major Grade 1 Stakes

Kentucky Derby Grade 1 winner, Mage cruised to victory yet again at the Saratoga Race Track. Mage covered the six furlongs in a record time of 1:12.98 and left everyone astounded. The 3-year-old colt proved that he is ready for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes scheduled for August 26. His equestrian trainer, who has high hopes for Mage is positively chuffed by his impressive performance.

Gustavo Delgado has created a successful career by training top-notch racehorses. He has earned $12,728,193 throughout his vocation, with his horses winning several prestigious races. Along similar lines, he once again stood atop the podium as Mage clinched another victory under his staunch training.

Equestrian trainer’s strategic move

When Delgado first welcomed Mage into his equestrian training facility, he was glad to be working with the son of Good Magic. This $1,000,000 Yearling Breeders’ Cup winner has sired many champions in the past. He prepared a strategy to make the biggest impact possible on the racing scene with Mage as the star of the show. The trainer kept the special horse away from the tracks during the first two years of his life. In his third year, Mage has only six starts with two wins. He also finished third in the Preakness Stakes Grade 1 on May 20 and second on July 22 at the Haskell Stakes. Delgado explained his strategy saying, “The Haskell was the prep for the Travers”.

The Travers Stakes is the holy grail of the racing world, and Gustavo Delgado will not rest until he is sure that Mage can win it. To confirm Mage’s potential, the equestrian legend entered him in the Kentucky Derby. The race was scheduled to take place on August 4. It had to be canceled because of the weather and was postponed until Saturday. After Mage’s stellar performance, Gustavo Delgado’s son and one of the owners of Mage, Gustavo Delgado Jr., spoke to Horse Racing Nation, stating, “He did pretty good. He was a little more in the bridle today”. However, it was a last-minute decision to allow Mage to run on a racecourse that had seen so many equestrian tragedies in the last few months.

Owners’ Apprehensions Fade as Mage Shines

The Saratoga race course was the site of many horse deaths, with the latest tragedy involving Bill Parcell’s owned Maple Leaf Mel. Maple Leaf Mel was euthanized after she suffered a horrific fall just a few inches away from the finish line. Owners Gustavo Delgado Jr. and Ramiro Restrepo did not want to risk the horse’s safety. Until now, they had kept Mage away from all races on Saturday. They feared the large numbers of other horses participating during the weekend would lead to a mishap. They ensured that Mage entered only for races on Friday when the competitions were more relaxed.

Read More: “No Complaints, Very Focused”: Ahead of Popular Grade 1 Stakes, Kentucky Derby Winner Horse’s Trainer Makes Candid Confession

Their apprehensions grew when the news came that the tracks were ruined by the rain. Restrepo checked the state of the track before allowing Mage to continue on Saturday. Mage has one more graded stakes before the Travers, where his potential will be tested against 21 graded stakes champions. His equestrian trainer is certain of his abilities and believes Mage can win once again.

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