Derby-Winning Trainer Delgado Takes Slow Lane to Glory

Just as Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage  rates patiently on the track before uncorking a big finish, the colt's trainer puts a priority on taking things slow and easy with his classic runners.

Trainer Gustavo Delgado knocked down a number of classic races in his native Venezuela before deciding about a decade ago to journey to the United States in search of victories in the classics here. After off-the-board finishes with Majesto  in 2016 and eventual grade 1 winner Bodexpress   in 2019, Delgado this year earned his first trip to the Derby winner's circle with Mage.

Ramiro Restrepo, a co-owner of Mage, noted that Delgado is at his best preparing horses for longer races, the classics.

"The races at 1 3/8 miles, mile-and-a-quarter, mile-and-a-half, that's his bread and butter," Restrepo said.

In that preparation, Delgado uses a slow and steady approach. In Mage's final five works ahead of the Derby, the son of 2018 Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic   worked six furlongs three times and five furlongs twice. The times of those six-furlong moves were 1:16.69, 1:14.78, and 1:16 4/5—that last move being his final breeze a week ahead of the Derby.

As other Derby contenders were blazing shorter works ahead of the Derby, on the Churchill track a week ahead of the race Mage displayed a highly consistent and efficient stride—no wasted motion as he cruised. He was the only horse on the entire grounds to work six furlongs that day—no cookie cutter in sight.

"We know he's a fast horse already," said Gustavo Delgado Jr., who assists his father. "The last couple of races and today, we were looking to build more stamina. 

"We use works to just keep a steady rhythm for a long period of time. (The Derby) is a long race and this is the first time they've all gone this far. It's my dad's style pretty much from the South (Venezuela). That's why he likes a race like this, especially when they cover a classic distance for the first time."

After the Derby, winning jockey Javier Castellano credited Mage's regular exercise rider, J. J. Delgado for carrying out the trainer's plans.

Mage did not race as a 2-year-old as Restrepo noted that trainer Delgado preferred to give him time off after he was purchased for $290,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale in May. Restrepo, comparing 2-year-old sales to the NFL combine, said Delgado wanted to give Mage a couple months off after that sale.

Restrepo said Delgado then didn't target a date for Mage's debut so much as let the colt tell him when he was ready. That would turn out to be a seven-furlong maiden special weight race he won Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park—Pegasus Day. Restrepo said Delgado does like racing on the big days before the big crowds.

There's no bigger stage than the Derby and with Mage Delgado delivered a master performance.