Derby prep: Delgados may cash with Mage in Fountain of Youth

Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Gustavo Delgado Jr. could not wait to tell his father about a 2-year-old he had spotted at Fasig-Tipton’s Midlantic sale. He sent video to his father, who also liked what he saw in the son of 2018 Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic.

The colt bore a strong resemblance to his distance-loving sire, who had the misfortune of competing in the Derby in the same year as eventual Triple Crown winner Justify. He could be forgiven for finishing second, 2 1/2 lengths behind the blossoming superstar.

Everything about the colt the son was eyeing pointed to an ability to get classic distances. His dam Puca was by 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown. The father did not need any more convincing from his son.

One problem. The father already had purchased three horses, consuming most of the money he had budgeted.

“If possible, $100,000, no more,” Delgado instructed his son.

Another problem. The son already had bought the horse for $290,000, nearly three times what his father had in mind.

“I always go with my intuition,” the younger Delgado explained, “and I really liked the horse.”

The son needed to find partners – and fast. Ramiro Restrepo and Sam Herzberg’s Sterling Racing needed little convincing. CMNWLTH, which offers fractional interest in horses, came in last to complete the ownership group with Gustavo Delgado Jr. maintaining a majority interest as OGMA Investments.

The colt came to be named Mage, and there is hope the $290,000 price tag could prove to be a bargain. Mage ranks among the more intriguing of 10 starters in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Mage went unraced at 2 due to what the elder Delgado described as “little problems” that included sore shins. He made sure to take his time as they worked through those.

“Patience, patience, patience,” he said.

Delgado, 66, knows his business well. He was a top trainer in his native Venezuela, overseeing the equivalent of three Triple Crown winners there. He has made an impact since his arrival in South Florida eight years ago, saddling two starters in the Kentucky Derby, the race he yearns to win above all others. Majesto finished 18th in 2016 and Bodexpress 13th three years later.

But at least Delgado got there, an experience that helped deepen his understanding of what it would take to win the roses. It remains to be seen whether Mage belongs among the elite of his class.

The trainer said he was not thinking about the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth until the 3-year-old scored a front-running victory in his Jan. 28 debut, zipping seven furlongs in a snappy 1:22.54 to prevail by 3 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream.

“He came back very good,” Delgado said. “I think for this race he’s better. Serious and focused. His condition is very good.”

He also is convinced Mage, who will break from post No. 7 with Javier Castellano aboard, will welcome added distance. He was listed at 8-1 on the morning line as part of a strong field headed by juvenile champion Forte, making his sophomore debut.

“It’s a big step for him, but I think we have a nice horse that might be up to the challenge,” said Gustavo Delgado Jr., who assists his father. “The horse has the talent, and he’s mature enough to face this. Otherwise, we wouldn’t do it.”

Delgado has been working Mage in company to help teach him to throttle down his high cruising speed. “He can relax, no problem,” the trainer said.

The top five finishers in the Fountain of Youth will earn 50-20-15-10-5 Derby qualifying points. The connections hope their good-looking chestnut runner can come away with some of those points and show he deserves to go on to the April 1 Florida Derby (G1), the final Gulfstream prep.

The Delgados are not afraid to think big and take chances. The son’s budget-breaking purchase of Mage is one example. Majesto, after breaking his maiden on the fifth try, somehow placed second in the Florida Derby in his next start to earn a Kentucky Derby berth. Incredibly, they gave Bodexpress a shot in the Kentucky Derby even though he still was a maiden.