The 149th Kentucky Derby is in the books, but some stories of that Churchill Downs event will remain. While the race proved to be exciting, it was the pre-race creating the controversy.
Here is a look at some of those stories in Louisville, with not all of them pleasant.
Mage is 15-1 Winner
The biggest news story of the Kentucky Derby is usually the Derby, and it once again was as advertised. There were several horses in the mix entering the stretch, and when the dust had settled, there was the Gustavo Delgado-trained Mage crossing the wire first as a 15-1 longshot.
Hall of Famer Javier Castellano rode Mage. He hadn’t won the sport’s premier event in 15 chances. Mage entered with one win in three starts to begin his career, but the son of Good Magic picked a good day to have a good day.
Castellano and Mage picked off Two Phil’s (Jareth Loveberry) by a length, covering the mile-and-a-quarter in 2:01.57. Angel of Empire (Flavien Prat), the timid 4-1 choice, finished third.
Mage is just the fourth horse since 2008 to win the race with three or fewer starts. He’s a 2-1 choice to win the Preakness at this writing, according to horse-racing odds at BetUS sportsbook.
Can Mage annex the Preakness and Belmont? He’s at +850, as per Triple Crown odds at BetUS.
Forte Late Scratch
Forte was the clear betting favorite to win the Kentucky Derby but was scratched by order of the state veterinarian just hours before the race with a sore right foot. Also Forte was the 3-1 wagering choice in the early line.
It was originally announced Forte would be heading to the May 20th Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore. However, the Kentucky racing officials placed the horse on a 14-day veterinary list.
There’s a chance that Forte could be “out of jail” to run in the Triple Crown’s second jewel. He will have to pass a soundness check given by a group of veterinarians. He’s been seen back out on the track in recent days, though his status leading to the Preakness is not clear.
Equine Deaths Cloud Races
It wasn’t a good week at the Kentucky Derby. There were a total of seven horses that died in races or while in training.
The latest horses to pass away were Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point, setting off a big response by officials at Churchill. It was announced the investigations didn’t find a “death pattern,” a sad week in the horse-racing community.
Saffie Joseph Jr. was the trainer of two other horses that died in the week leading to the race. He was suspended by Churchill Downs. A specific cause of death hasn’t been announced.
In the Kentucky Derby Oaks…
While the Kentucky Derby received the bulk of the attention, there was a full slate of other stakes races at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Oaks, restricted to the 3-year-old fillies, is the undercard highlight, even if it occurred the previous day.
Pretty Mischievous won the Oaks, holding off late-charging Gambling Girl by a neck. Brendan Walsh trains Pretty Mischievous, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione and racing with blinkers added.
It was the fifth win in seven starts by Pretty Mischievous, who was a 10-1 proposition at the windows. She’s a daughter of Into Mischief.
