Castellano to Ride Mage in Kentucky Derby

The 20-horse lineup for the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) is not entirely set, nor is the jockey lineup, apparently.

Late April 24, the connections of Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Mage  announced that Hall of Famer Javier Castellano would ride their promising colt, leaving the mount open on Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Raise Cain , whom Castellano had been expected to ride. Mage is likely to be mid-priced odds in the Kentucky Derby, compared to Raise Cain, one of the longshots.

Mage, trained by Gustavo Delgado for OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH, was ridden once by Castellano, a fourth-place finish in the March 4 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) a start before the April 1 Florida Derby, when he was guided by Luis Saez. The 3-year-old's only other start was a first-out maiden win at Gulfstream Park Jan. 28 under Edgar Perez.

Saez is aboard Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Tapit Trice  in the Kentucky Derby.

"Yesterday, we made the decision on the rider," said Gustavo Delgado Jr., the trainer's son and assistant. "He's ridden him before, and we didn't want to try anyone new."

Castellano, a Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, has yet to win the Kentucky Derby in 15 rides. His top finish came on third-place Audible   in 2018.

Mage, a chestnut Good Magic   colt, made his first training appearance April 25 at Churchill Downs after arriving from South Florida. He galloped 1 1/4 miles.

As for Andrew and Rania Warren's Raise Cain, fifth most recently in the April 8 Blue Grass, no replacement rider has been named.

"We will wait it out. Never missed a race yet because of a rider," trainer Ben Colebrook said.

Stabled at Keeneland, Raise Cain is scheduled to work there April 27.

Some trainers prefer to wait before committing to a jockey in case a high-profile rider becomes available due to a defection from an intended starter.

No jockey has been named in the Derby to ride Spendthrift Farm's Kingsbarns  for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, though that colt is expected to be one of the race's top 10 choices after winning the Louisiana Derby (G2).

Jose Ortiz is one of the nation's premier riders who is without an announced mount.

There were no timed workouts for any Derby or Kentucky Oaks (G1) hopefuls April 25 at Churchill Downs. Japan-based Derby prospects Derma Sotogake  and Continuar , the 1-3 finishers last out in the UAE Derby (G2), could breeze April 26, according to Churchill Downs publicity.

Starting April 27 and continuing through May 3, Churchill Downs will be open free of charge daily from 7-10 a.m. ET so observers can watch the nation's top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds train toward their engagements in this year's Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks during Dawn at the Downs.