Mage’s Preakness Status Likely to be Decided Friday
At 1h35, on May 12, 2023 • By LAUREL PARK
A final decision on Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage’s status for the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) at historic Pimlico Race Course is expected to be made Friday, according to Gustavo Delgado Jr, son of and assistant to trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr.
Delgado Jr. said the hesitancy to fully commit to the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown is to make sure Mage is up to running back two weeks after wearing down Two Phil’s to win the Derby by a length. The triumph gave Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who, like the Delgados, is from Venezuela, his first Kentucky Derby.
Mage is owned by the Delgados’ OGMA Investments LLC, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and the CMNWLTH micro-shares partnership. Each of the four entities own 25 percent, though some have other partners, including the Delgados, the son said. Delgado Jr. said the final decision, which he expects to be made Friday, will be made by his dad.
“Before we make the decision, we’re going to recheck him again with our vet here,” Delgado Jr. said at Churchill Downs. “Make sure everything goes right, that he feels good again. We still have to discuss a couple of things with the partners we have. But pretty much everything seems to be in good order.”
The only reason not to go would be “if he gets sick, if he doesn’t eat well, that sort of thing,” Delgado Jr. said.
Mage, who had prepped for the Kentucky Derby with a gutsy second-place finish behind Forte in the April 1 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, had another routine gallop at Churchill Downs Thursday morning.
