Sáez, not Castellano, will ride Ky. Derby winner Mage in Travers

Luis Sáez has ridden Mage in only one previous race, but he will be reunited with the Kentucky Derby winner Aug. 26 in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

The announcement was made in a Tuesday afternoon post to X, formerly Twitter, by trainer Gustavo Delgado, who made the decision as regular rider Javier Castellano was faced with a choice between Mage and his victorious Belmont Stakes mount Arcangelo.

Forced to go wide after a slow start, Sáez rallied Mage to the lead late in the Florida Derby (G1) only to be passed by Forte. Mage finished second, losing by one length.

Click here for Saratoga entries and results.

Castellano, who had finished a troubled fourth with the 3-year-old Good Magic colt in the Fountain of Youth (G2), reclaimed the assignment that turned into a victory with Mage in the Kentucky Derby. That was followed by a third-place result in the Preakness and last month’s runner-up finish to Geaux Rocket Ride in the Haskell (G1).

His closing move going 1 1/8 miles at Monmouth Park suggested Mage again would relish the 1 1/4 miles at which he won at Churchill Downs and that he will be asked to cover this month in the Haskell.

Castellano, a record six-time winner of the mid-summer derby, confirmed he will ride Arcangelo in the Travers, according to Daily Racing Form. The race also is expected to lure Preakness winner National Treasure and Eclipse Award-winning, Jim Dandy (G2) victor Forte.

Sáez has won the Travers twice, with Will Take Charge in 2013 and with Essential Quality in 2021.