Kentucky Derby 2023: Javier Castellano will ride Mage
Mage, who arrived at Churchill Downs early Monday, made his first appearance on the track Tuesday morning as he jogged a mile and galloped 1 1/4 miles.
Trained by Gustavo Delgado, the Grade 1 Florida Derby runner-up will be ridden in Kentucky Derby 2023 by Javier Castellano. Castellano rode Mage to a fourth-place finish in the Fountain of Youth (G2) in the Good Magic colt’s second start.
There were no timed workouts for any Derby or Kentucky Oaks hopefuls at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning, but Wednesday morning is expected to have works from Japanese-based runners Derma Sotogake and Continuar, the Japan-bred 1-3 finishers in the UAE Derby (G2).
Angel of Empire, Hit Show, Jace's Road, Verifying. It was another routine morning at trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22, with all four of his Kentucky Derby contenders having routine gallops.
Angel of Empire was the first of Cox’s quartet of Kentucky Derby contenders to train at 5:30 a.m. EDT.
At 7:30 a.m., Hit Show, Jace’s Road and Verifying all had 1 ½-mile gallops.
“We’re pretty excited coming into this Derby,” Cox said. “We have four really nice colts, and we’re looking forward to next weekend. They’ll all work once more this weekend. We’re keeping an eye on the weather and make a decision in the next 24-48 hours.”
Confidence Game. Confidence Game galloped 1 1/4 miles under Alex Cano during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses.
A two-time winner from four starts at Churchill Downs, Confidence Game would represent the fourth Kentucky Derby starter for trainer Keith Desormeaux, whose best Derby finish came from his first starter in 2016 with Exaggerator’s runner-up effort.
Continuar. Continuar warmed up in the mile chute during the first track harrow break of the morning and then galloped 1 1/2 miles under Kazunari Yoshida for trainer Yoshito Yahagi.
A winner of two of five career starts, Continuar is scheduled to work Wednesday morning.
Derma Sotogake. $1.1 million earner Derma Sotogake warmed up in the mile chute during the first track maintenance break of the morning and then galloped 1 1/4 miles with Masatoshi Segawa aboard.
Part of the morning activity also included a paddock schooling session for the winner of four of eight starts, with the most recent victory coming in the UAE Derby by 5 1/2 lengths.
Trained by Hidetaka Otonashi, Derma Sotogake is scheduled to work Wednesday morning.
Disarm. Disarm had a routine walk day at Barn 38 after his five-furlong move in 1:00 Monday morning at Churchill Downs.
Forte, Kingsbarns, Major Dude, Tapit Trice. One of the rites of spring in Louisville is watching the weather, and for trainer Todd Pletcher, who has had an entrant in every Derby since 2000 except for 2003, this year is no different.
“It wouldn’t be Derby week without watching the weather,” Pletcher said. “It looks like there is some rain coming in Thursday, and it could be a sketchy couple of days.”
Kingsbarns and Major Dude worked together last Thursday and both galloped 1 3/8 miles Tuesday morning with Elder Flores aboard Kingsbarns and Joel Osorio on Major Dude.
Pletcher has not named a rider for Kingsbarns.
Major Dude is No. 23 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard and needs three defections by entry time Monday to get in the starting gate. He has the American Turf (G2) on Derby day as his backup race if he does not make the Derby field.
Pletcher’s other Derby hopefuls also galloped 1 3/8 miles during the Derby/Oaks training window from 7:30-7:45.
Forte, the probable morning-line favorite for the Derby, was partnered by Hector Ramos, and Tapit Trice was partnered by Amelia Green.
Mage. The Florida Derby runner-up, who gave likely Kentucky Derby favorite Forte a strong challenge in just his third lifetime start, took to the track for the first time after the long van trip from Florida.
For the run for the roses, he’ll have Javier Castellano riding. Castellano rode him in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
“Yesterday, we made the decision on the rider,” said Gustavo Delgado Jr., son of the colt’s same-named trainer. “He’s ridden him before, and we didn’t want to try anyone new.”
With exercise rider J.J. Delgado, the colt galloped easily, going 1 1/4 miles.
“He’s a pretty laid-back horse,” Delgado said. “He gave us the impression that he enjoys the track, so far, so good.”
Raise Cain. Raise Cain, fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) in his most recent start, is in need of a rider for Derby 149.
Javier Castellano initially was lined up to ride but he has opted to ride Mage.
“No rider yet,” trainer Ben Colebrook said. “We will wait it out. Never missed a race yet because of a rider.”
Stabled at Keeneland, Raise Cain is scheduled to work there Thursday morning.
Rocket Can. Trainer Bill Mott sent the colt out for a gallop with regular exercise rider Guelser Cardona aboard.
“He looked good, after we worked him Sunday, he had an easy day yesterday, then had him back on the track this morning,” the Hall of Fame trainer said “We also walked him over to the temporary paddock that they’ll use this year. It looked like he had good energy and that he came out of the work in good shape.”
Sun Thunder. Trainer Kenny McPeek sent the fourth-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) to the Churchill Downs track again Tuesday with exercise rider Martin Vargas.
“He galloped a mile-and-a-quarter, and he stood in the starting gate … pretty routine, basic stuff,” McPeek said. “He’ll work on Wednesday.”
Wild On Ice. Frank Sumpter’s Wild On Ice had a double schooling day Tuesday when he got acquainted with the Kentucky Derby starting gate and the paddock.
Trainer Joel Marr was alongside the Sunland Park Derby (G3) winner at 7:30 a.m. and walked him to the one-mile chute, where he schooled in the starting gate with exercise rider Oscar Rojero on board. Then, Wild On Ice was led to the frontside by outrider Greg Blasi and schooled in the paddock. Finally, the gelding galloped about 1 3/8 miles.
Marr stated Wild On Ice’s final Derby work is scheduled for Thursday with jockey Ken Tohill slated to be aboard.