Another Mage? Delgado colt Victory Avenue debuts Saturday

No one thought much of it when a 3-year-old named Mage debuted as part of last year’s Pegasus Day undercard and easily captured a seven-furlong contest by 3 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park.

It turned out to be the start of a perfectly executed plan that allowed the fast-developing son of Good Magic to upset the Kentucky Derby in only his fourth career start for the father-and-son training team of Gustavo Delgado and Gustavo Delgado Jr.

At this stage, the Delgados can only dream of taking a similar path with Victory Avenue, who debuts at seven furlongs Saturday in the second race of the stakes-rich Pegasus Day card. Luis Saez took the mount after working the colt a couple of weeks ago. They will break from post 5 in a field of 12.

Delgado Jr. noted that it is way too soon to know what Victory Avenue might become. He insists on allowing himself to believe that lightning can strike twice.

“If I wake up at 4 o’clock every morning, no days off, don’t take vacations, if we’re not going to dream, then what are we here for?” he said.

It can be argued that their chances of making their dreams come true by winning major races are much more realistic now than they were last January. Thanks to what Delgado calls the “Derby effect,” their stock improved significantly with increased spending power and new clients drawn to last year’s success.

Victory Avenue is a prime example of what a Derby breakthrough can mean to what had been a relatively modest South Florida operation. It was clear he was going to be expensive after he breezed one furlong in 10 seconds flat ahead of the sale.

That did not at all dissuade Delgado Jr. and bloodstock adviser Ramiro Restrepo, who went to $375,000 to land the son of the late Arrogate out of the Scat Daddy mare Epic Scataway. They had shattered a tight budget to land Mage for $290,000 as a 2-year-old in training.

Delgado readily acknowledges that Victory Avenue is not the complete package. He is very much a work in progress. “He’s really fast, very talented,” he said. “The only thing he’s got against him is his demeanor. He’s a little cuckoo. So horsemanship is being tested. But I think we have done a pretty good job. I’m excited to see him run.”

Although Delgado praises the prospect as “elegant” and “classy,” he also admits that he is a handful who could prove to be tough to handle in front of a big crowd on Saturday in a race that drew other well-bred runners who eventually could make noise in the division.

However Victory Avenue fares, Delgado is confident he will benefit from the experience. “Most of the time, it helps them to chill,” he said, adding, “He’s got way more room to develop.”

The barn also is excited about its chances in the second race on Sunday when well-regarded filly Vybes makes her second start. The daughter of Constitution out of the Afleet Alex mare Fugacious Dance drew post 2 in a field of nine. Irad Ortiz Jr. replaces Edgar Perez in the irons.

Vybes settled for third in her Jan. 5 debut, going six furlongs in an allowance optional claimer. According to the chart, she “raced a bit greenly down the backstretch.”

Delgado looks for an improved performance. “After that race, with some experience, she should be tough this time,” he said. “I really like her.”

Vybes should benefit when distances increase. “She can run all day,” Delgado said. “The farther she goes, the better for her.”

The stock also includes a pair of promising Into Mischief colts, It’s My Life and Juventus. It’s My Life will have size and strength on his side whenever he swings into action, likely in two or three weeks. Juventus has come along more slowly but could be a factor in the second half of the season.

In yet another Derby effect, the barn has 16 juveniles developing on the farm with the hope that one might emerge as the next Mage.