Decision on Mage Will Have to Wait

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/14/2023 - 11:03
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Decision on Mage Will Have to Wait
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Photo: Corrie McCroskey
Trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr. and Mage at Churchill Downs

The wait will be a little longer to find out what is next for Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage .

Ramiro Restrepo, the co-owner of the popular colt, said the final decision will be made on Tuesday by trainer Gustavo Delgado.

There are two options. The first is to run in the $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 22. If not, Restrepo said Mage would train up to the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 26.

The $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga July 29 is no longer under consideration, according to Restrepo.

Restrepo said the reason for the delay—originally a decision could have come on July 14—was that Delgado wanted more time to evaluate his stable star.

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Mage worked six furlongs in 1:13 2/5 at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Ky., July 14. It was his fourth work since finishing third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20. Restrepo said Mage did miss one work—on June 16—because of weather.

"We just want to make sure that he is ready to go against horses like Tapit Trice  and Arabian Knight  (in the Haskell)," Restrepo said July 14 by phone from Florida. "The break we gave him did him wonders. We want to make sure (Mage) gives a good account of himself. The horse has to say to us, 'I'm good.'"