The summer endgame for Mage is the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course but how the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner gets to the Midsummer Derby is a question yet to be officially answered by the Mage team. Expect that answer to come soon, maybe by July 14.
Ramiro Restrepo, co-owner of Mage, said the son of Good Magic is scheduled to work July 14 at the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington. After that, Restrepo said a decision will be announced on Mage's next race.
That next test will either be the July 22 Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park July 29 or the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga July 29. Either would be the first start since Mage finished third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course May 20.
"The Travers is our main goal, 100%," Restrepo said. "We are going to do everything in our power to put him in the position to win the Travers. That is the endgame for the summer, period. We are looking to peak in the Travers."
Restrepo has huddled with trainer Gustavo Delgado and the conditioner's son/assistant Gustavo Delgado Jr. A number of ideas have been considered. Originally, it was thought Mage would train up to the Travers; then the Jim Dandy was the play; now a trip to the Jersey Shore could be in the offing.
Running in the Haskell as opposed to the Jim Dandy would give Mage an extra week before the Travers. The Haskell also carries a purse of $1 million as compared with $500,000 for the Jim Dandy. Through his performance, Mage is the one creating new options for his connections.
"The horse has been doing a lot better than we thought he would (after the Preakness)," Restrepo said. "He has done everything well within himself. That is what has caught our attention."
Mage's July 14 work will be his fourth since the Preakness.