Two more horses died in the hours before Mage crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, making it seven in all and casting a shadow over the 149th edition of the world’s most famous race.
Mage had only one victory in three previous races before covering 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.57 under jockey Javier Castellano. He and trainer Gustavo Delgado are from Venezuela.
Two Phil’s and Angel of Empire followed Mage to the finish line in front of a crowd of 150,335 on a warm and partly cloudy day at Churchill Downs.
Mage wins the Kentucky Derby! pic.twitter.com/B0oGlHDTyD
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 6, 2023
MAGE wins the 149th Kentucky Derby!
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 6, 2023