Month: May 2023

‘Little Horse With A Big Heart’: Mage Provides The Magic In Kentucky Derby 149

On an overcast afternoon beneath the Twin Spires, both in terms of the weather and the shadow cast over the track by a total of seven equine fatalities in the past nine days, it was a little horse with a big heart that brought happy tears to the eyes of hundreds of connections in the Kentucky Derby winner's circle.

In just his fourth career start, Mage ran down 17 other rivals to win Kentucky Derby 149 by a length. The joy on his connections' faces was palpable: from Venezuelan jockey and trainer Javier Castellano and Gustavo Delgado, co-owners and Miami natives Ramiro Restrepo and Sam Herzberg, to the 382 partners brought together by Commonwealth Racing for a chance at Kentucky Derby history.

“The dream is alive,” said Chase Chamberlain, founder of Commonwealth Racing, which allows fans to purchase a share of a racehorse for as little as $50. “This is what horse racing is all about.”

Mage, a chestnut son of Good Magic sent off at 15-1 odds, was squeezed back at the start but wound his way between rivals to find clear racing room in the stretch. Just the third Derby winner to not race as a 2-year-old, the inexperienced colt put everything on the line to run down Two Phil's in the final sixteenth of a mile. Mage ran 1 1/4 miles over Churchill Downs' fast main track in 2:01.57, providing the first Kentucky Derby victory for both Hall of Fame jockey Castellano and trainer Delgado.

Delgado, a 65-year-old member of the Caribbean Hall of Fame and three-time winner of the Venezuelan Triple Crown, had saddled two prior starters in the Run for the Roses since moving to the United States in 2014. Majesto finished 18th in 2016, and Bodexpress was 13th in 2019.

“When I come to United States, my first dream is to go to the Kentucky Derby,” Delgado said. “When I run two times, longshots. Very bad. This time I was sure that the horse was very, very good.”

It took a few extra tries for Castellano, a four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey, to add the Kentucky Derby to his trophy collection. In 15 previous mounts, his best finish had come aboard Audible in 2018, when he finished third.

“This is the dream for any jockey, any trainer,” Castellano said after being congratulated on horseback by fellow Venezuelan rider Junior Alvarado. “I never give up, I always try hard, do the right thing, and it took me a little while to get there but I finally got there.

“He got a lot of dirt in the face, coming from behind, but he's little horse with a big heart.”

Gustavo Delgado, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Mage, embraces Churchill Downs' Steve Hargrave in the winner's circle

In the days leading up to the 2023 Kentucky Derby, five of the 23 entrants were scratched, leaving a field of 18 to contest Saturday's race. Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move was first, scratched with a fever by trainer Tim Yakteen.

Then, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ordered the scratches of all runners trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., following public outrage when two of his trainees suffered “sudden death” episodes during the first two days of racing at Churchill Downs; Joseph had planned to run Lord Miles in the Kentucky Derby.

Out next was Japan's Continuar, his trainer telling the publicity department that the colt had “not been able to reach peak fitness.” Skinner followed, with trainer John Shirreffs also citing an elevated temperature.

Following wide social media speculation on Friday, it was Saturday morning of the Kentucky Derby that KHRC state veterinarians made the decision to scratch morning-line favorite and juvenile champion Forte due to what co-owner Mike Repole called a foot bruise.

Then, two horses were catastrophically injured during the Kentucky Derby undercard races at Churchill Downs, and a third was vanned off but later reported to have suffered no major injuries. That led to a total of seven equine deaths at Churchill Downs since April 27.

The scratches and fatalities cast a heavy shadow over this year's Run for the Roses, so it was with great relief that racing fans and a crowd of 150,333 watched all 18 runners return to their connections under their own power after the race.

Mage was squeezed back at the start, but the late-running colt was not hampered at all and settled well off the pace, fourth-from-last but on the rail around the clubhouse turn. Castellano bided his time, but began asking Mage for about the five-furlong pole on the backstretch as he angled off the rail and began picking off rivals.

At the front, despite what many thought would be a slow early pace, it was Verifying leading Kingsbarns and Reincarnate through quick fractions of :22.35, :45.73, and 1:10.11. Those set the stage for the Chicagoland hope Two Phil's to make his move from fifth up the rail at the quarter pole, taking the lead and drawing off by about two lengths under Jareth Loveberry.

What Loveberry couldn't have seen coming was that a six-wide Mage was full of run down the center of the track. Castellano gave Mage the target, and the colt responded bravely, racing up to Two Phil's and putting it all on the line to hit the wire in front. Two Phil's was valiant in second, while post-time favorite Angel of Empire (4-1) was up in time to finish third.

Mage returned $32.42, $14.58 and $9.08. Two Phil's returned $10.44 and $6.52 and finished a half-length in front of favored Angel of Empire, who paid $4.70 to show under Flavien Prat.

The full order of finish was as follows: Mage, Two Phil's, Angel of Empire, Disarm, Hit Show, Derma Sotogake, Tapit Trice, Raise Cain, Rocket Can, Confidence Game, Sun Thunder, Mandarin Hero, Reincarnate, Kingsbarns, King Russell, Verifying, Jace's Road, and Cyclone Mischief.

Bred in Kentucky by the Grandview Equine of former Three Chimneys Farm owner Robert Clay, Mage is out of the stakes-winning, graded stakes-placed Big Brown mare Puca. The colt was purchased for $235,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, then headed to the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old in training sale.

At $290,000, Mage was a bit outside the budget of Restrepo and the trainer's son, Gustavo Delgado, Jr., but the two liked the colt so much they put together a partnership to afford him.

“He had an eye-catching breeze,” Restrepo told Nick Luck in March. “I remembered the dam (Puca, by Big Brown) clearly; she broke her maiden by like 17 lengths at Belmont, and had a terrible trip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but could have won it with a better trip.

“We wanted to swing for the fences with one, and we were fortunate to get this one.”

Mage broke his maiden at first asking, though that start didn't come until Pegasus World Cup day in late January of 2023. Delgado put the colt in the deep end for his second career start, and Mage managed to finish fourth behind champion Forte in the G2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. The colt improved even more in his next effort, finishing a close second to Forte in the G1 Florida Derby.

After his Kentucky Derby triumph, the “little horse with a big heart” has won two of his four lifetime starts for earnings of $2,107,200. He is the fourth horse to win the Derby in his fourth career start, following Justify in 2018, Big Brown in 2008 and Regret in 1915.

Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano finally gets his Kentucky Derby victory aboard Mage

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Kentucky Derby Magic! Mage Wins Derby 149

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Abracadabra: Mage (Good Magic) is your 149th winner of the GI Kentucky Derby.

The lightly raced GI Curlin Florida Derby runner-up, off at odds of 15-1, took advantage of a torrid early pace and rallied from as far back as 16th to reel in a very game Two Phil's (Hard Spun) by a length. Lukewarm 4-1 favorite Angel of Empire (Classic Empire) also came flying from far back to finish another half-length back in third. 'TDN Rising Star' Disarm (Gun Runner) rounded out the superfecta in fourth.

Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite Forte (Violence), a length ahead of Mage in the final Gulfstream prep, was withdrawn on the morning of the race with a foot issue, the well-documented fifth defection from the 1 1/4-mile Classic.

Mage, a $235,000 KEESEP yearling turned $290,000 EASMAY breezer, is campaigned in partnership by Gustavo Delgado's OGMA Investments, LLC, Ramiro Restrepo, Sam Herzberg's Sterling Racing LLC and Brian Doxtator and Chase Chamberlin's CMNWLTH. He is trained by Venezuela native Delgado.

A three-time winner of his home country's equivalent of the Triple Crown, Delgado's previous Grade I winners on these shores include Paola Queen (Flatter) and Bodexpress (Bodemeister).

“It's an amazing feeling,” winning co-owner and assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said. “I felt so confident going into this race, because my dad was the trainer. And he was telling me step by step what he was doing with the horse. It was a masterpiece.”

Restrepo, Fasig-Tipton's South Florida Field Representative and owner of Marquee Bloodstock, added, “The emotions are just through the roof, obviously. The ownership group is four different groups from four different backgrounds, all different age ranges, nationalities. I mean, it's one heck of a melting pot that came together for this horse.

“Gustavo Sr. as a trainer has had so much success in South America, and he has come here and has always had a small boutique stable, and has always wanted to increase his presence to have more quality horses with a lot more owners.

“Myself as a bloodstock agent, who has been trying to increase his profile as well, we kind of combined forces three years ago to start buying horses domestically and internationally and try to invest a little money and use the relationships that I have here to bring in people that are willing to have the faith to go forward with us and take the swing.”

Mage joins some very exclusive company to win the Derby while making just his fourth career start. The filly Regret did it way back in 1915, dual Classic winner Big Brown ended the drought in 2008 and Triple Crown winner Justify pulled it off most recently in 2018.

A front-running debut winner sprinting at Gulfstream Jan. 28, Mage was an unlucky fourth after an impossible trip while making his two-turn debut in the GII Fountain of Youth S. and ran too good to lose after unleashing an explosive five-wide rally on the far turn and leading in deep stretch last time in the Florida Derby.

How the Race Was Won…

So much for a paceless Derby.

Verifying (Justify), Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) and Reincarnate (Good Magic) all had running on their minds and led the field of 18 through blazing opening fractions of :22.35 and :45.73.

The GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Two Phil's and Jareth Loveberry, meanwhile, raced just behind the leaders in fourth while Mage only had three horses beaten heading into the backstretch.

Jockey Javier Castellano, ahem, began to work his magic from the back of the pack as Mage sliced his way through traffic.

Two Phil's punched his way through an inviting opening along the rail on the far turn and kicked for home leading the way to the roar of 150,335 as Mage and GI Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire were beginning to launch on the far outside.

Castellano had Mage completely rolling at this point and entered the stretch in the seven path with dead aim on leader. Two Phil's knuckled down admirably down the stretch, but began to feel the impact of the scorching early pace close to home. Mage took over leaving the eighth pole behind and carried his Hall of Fame rider across the wire for a long-overdue first Kentucky Derby win from 16 mounts.

“I'm so thankful for the opportunity to ride the horse,” the four-time Eclipse Award winner Castellano said. “The whole team gave me the opportunity to ride this horse in the biggest race in the world. I had a lot of confidence in myself this year would be the year. I thought this year would be the year. This horse was unbelievable today.”

Mage Pedigree Notes…

Good Magic may have lost the battle for leading freshman sire as 2022 drew to a close, finishing second to Bolt d'Oro by a slim margin, but he has certainly won the war. The Hill 'n' Dale sire, who himself finished second in the 2018 Derby to Justify (third on that same first-crop sire list last year) after a championship juvenile campaign, is now safely perched alone on top. He came into this year's Derby with two chances–Mage and Reincarnate–and now leads the second-crop sire charts with two winners at the highest level in his nascent sire career. Kentucky Derby winner Mage joins 'TDN Rising Star' Blazing Sevens as another Grade I winner for the son of Curlin. Good Magic, with nine black-type winners and six graded winners, has been standing this season for $50,000.

It's impossible to mention Good Magic without also noting his sire, Curlin, who was third in the 2007 Derby–also in his fourth career start–and also stands at Hill 'n' Dale as one of the elite sires in the U.S. Curlin has no fewer than four sons who have sired Grade I winners and this marks the second consecutive year one of his sons has sired the Derby winner after Keen Ice supplied 80-1 Rich Strike last year. Curlin had another moment in the sun earlier on this year's Derby undercard when Cody's Wish captured the GI Churchill Downs S.

While a few of Good Magic's stakes horses have hailed from Storm Cat lines, Mage is out of a Big Brown mare. The 2008 Derby winner, a Danzig-line stallion, stands in New York at Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions. Mage is the ninth black-type winner out of one of his daughters.

Robert Clay's Grandview Equine bred Mage out of Puca, a mare he purchased for $475,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November sale in foal to Gun Runner. Clay knows more than the average person about Gun Runner, as the young sire sensation stands at Three Chimneys, the farm Clay founded and eventually sold to Goncalo Torrealba. Incidentally, Big Brown started his stud career there, too.

Mage's dam was a 'TDN Rising Star' in 2014 after she won by more than 16 lengths at Belmont. The eventual 2015 GII Gazelle S. runner-up and half to GISW Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt {GB}) has a 2-year-old full-brother to Mage–sold for $325,000 at Keeneland September to Oracle Bloodstock–and a yearling colt by McKinzie. For details on how Clay acquired Puca, as well as his stake in young stallion Olympiad, and why Puca visited both Olympiad and Good Magic this year, click to read last week's TDN feature Mage Benefits from Feet of Clay.

Puca traces directly to an outstanding Greentree family and the 1936 mare Alms, a half-sister to Hall of Famer and 1931 Kentucky Derby winner Twenty Grand, whose rivalry with Equipoise was legendary.  –by Jill Williams

What They're Saying…

“In the turn, the whole opened up and I said I can't wait. He proved he is a world-class horse today.” —Two Phil's jockey Jareth Loveberry

“We might have just gone a little too quick. Got to take a shot.” —Verifying's jockey Tyler Gaffalione

“Angel of Empire ran well. It was a hot pace. Down the backside he had a few beat. We had a little bit of excitement down the lane. I thought (Angel of Empire) had a shot. Hit Show had a beautiful trip from the one hole. We were close, but we come here to win it, so I'm a little disappointed. Overall, very happy with the horses' performances. Off to Preakness with somebody. We have First Mission. This is demanding. I don't know if I'll run any of these horses back in two weeks.” —Brad Cox, trainer of Angel of Empire (third), Hit Show (fifth), Jace's Road (17th) & Verifying (16th)

“Tapit Trice did what he always does–he broke slow and then he had to check a couple of times heading into the first turn. When it came time he couldn't get going well enough. We're thinking Belmont. Kingsbarns ran as far as he could and as hard as he could, but the half mile was a little too fast for him and he just couldn't keep up.” —Todd Pletcher, trainer of Tapit Trice (seventh) & Kingsbarns (14th)

“He faced some of the best 3-year-olds in the country. Obviously, I was hoping for a better finish today. I loved that he continued on, through it all. He was fourth today, and he's a solid horse. The race could have been smoother for everybody. You put 18 in there, there was a lot of contact and stuff like that. He took a whole lot of dirt on the backside. You could tell it was a little confusing to him for a ways down the backside, but he stayed on well. It looked like when he got a seam there, about the eighth pole, he could do it. Then he still finished up OK.” –Steve Asmussen, trainer of Disarm (fourth)

Two More Equine Deaths at Churchill Downs…

It wasn't all roses on Kentucky Derby day.

The Kentucky Derby day program was marred by two equine fatalties–the stakes-placed Freezing Point (Frosted) in the GII Pat Day Mile S. and the maiden Chloe's Dream (Honor Code) (2nd race)–making it seven horse deaths beneath the Twin Spires since Apr. 27.

A statement from Churchill Downs Inc. released late on Saturday evening read,

“Two horses sustained severe injuries during today's Churchill Downs race card. Chloe's Dream suffered a right knee fracture in Race 2 at the top of the first turn. Freezing Point incurred a left front biaxial sesamoid fracture in Race 8 midway down the backstretch. In the interest of pursuing the most humane treatment for each horse, the owner, trainer and private veterinarian, in consultation with a board-certified equine surgeon, made the difficult decision to euthanize. We express our most sincere condolences to those connections who cared for and loved Chloe's Dream and Freezing Point.

It is with the utmost sadness that we report these tragic fatal injuries. Churchill Downs is unwavering in our commitment to the health and well-being of equine safety. The equine fatalities leading to this year's Kentucky Derby are a sobering reminder of the urgent need to mobilize our industry in order to explore every avenue possible and effectively minimize any avoidable risk in the sport.

Despite our determination to continually improve upon the highest industry standards, there is more to be done and we will rigorously work to understand what caused these incidents and build upon our existing data, programs and practices to better understand what has been incredibly difficult for us to witness and accept this week.

While each incident reported has been unique, it is important to note that there has been no discernable pattern detected in the injuries sustained. Our track surfaces are closely monitored by industry experts to ensure their integrity. Each horse that participates in racing at Churchill Downs must undergo multiple, comprehensive veterinarian exams and observations to ensure their fitness to race.

From here, we will fully and actively work with the Kentucky Horseracing Commission (KHRC) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) to thoroughly investigate each incident to determine, to the degree possible, any underlying health or environmental causes and apply those learnings to continue to improve the safety of this sport. Together, we all want what is best for the horses.

The team at Churchill Downs works year-round to deliver an inspiring and world-class event to thousands of fans, but also to provide the safest racing environment each and every day. We are proud of the enduring legacy of the Kentucky Derby and these magnificent horses are central to its iconic appeal. While we believe the incidents leading to this year's Derby are anomalies, they are unacceptable and we remain steadfast in our commitment to safety and integrity.”

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority issued a statement of its own late Saturday, which read:

“HISA mourns the losses of Chloe's Dream and Freezing Point alongside their connections and the entire racing community. HISA's mission is to vigorously protect the safety of our horses and riders. The Racetrack Safety Program has been in effect since July 2022 and requires thorough pre-race veterinary inspections to ensure every horse is fit to race and holds every track to rigorous safety and maintenance standards.

“Churchill Downs has been cooperating with HISA since its inception and is in full compliance with our rules and processes. On the morning of each race, every horse undergoes a hands-on inspection and is observed in motion outside their stall. A team of Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) regulatory veterinarians also views each horse in the paddock, during the post parade and as they approach and load into the starting gate. If a horse is deemed unfit to race by the regulatory veterinarians, it will be scratched, as was the case in a number of circumstances this week. Both Chloe's Dream and Freezing Point passed all inspections without incident.

“Additionally, Churchill Downs retained Mick Peterson, Director of the Racetrack Safety Program at the University of Kentucky and the preeminent racetrack surface expert, to ensure safe and consistent conditions across racing and training surfaces. Peterson was previously retained by HISA as part of its national accreditation process, and we are confident in his ability to identify potential issues at play. Dr. Peterson has assured both HISA and Churchill Downs that the racing surface is safe.
“HISA is in constant communication with the KHRC as it leads investigations into the recent fatalities, and has already initiated its own, fully independent, investigation. HISA will share more details as they are available.

Saturday, Churchill Downs
KENTUCKY DERBY PRESENTED BY WOODFORD RESERVE-GI, $3,000,000, Churchill Downs, 5-6, 3yo, 1 1/4m, 2:01.57, ft.
1–MAGE, 126, c, 3, by Good Magic
                1st Dam: Puca (SW & GSP, $299,406),
                                by Big Brown
                2nd Dam: Boat's Ghost, by Silver Ghost
                3rd Dam: Rocktheboat, by Summer Squall
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN,
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($235,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $290,000 2yo '22
EASMAY). O-OGMA Investments, LLC, Ramiro Restrepo,
Sterling Racing LLC and CMNWLTH; B-Grandview Equine (KY);
T-Gustavo Delgado; J-Javier Castellano. $1,860,000. Lifetime
Record: 4-2-1-0, $2,107,200. *1/2 to Gunning (Gun Runner),
MSP, $271,835. Werk Nick Rating: C.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Two Phil's, 126, c, 3, Hard Spun–Mia Torri, by General
Quarters. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($150,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP).
O-Patricia's Hope LLC, Phillip Sagan and Madaket Stables LLC;
B-Phillip Sagan (KY); T-Larry Rivelli. $600,000.
3–Angel of Empire, 126, c, 3, Classic Empire–Armony's Angel,
by To Honor and Serve. ($32,000 RNA Wlg '20 KEENOV;
$70,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC;
B-Forgotten Land Investment Inc & Black Diamond Equine
Corp (PA); T-Brad H. Cox. $300,000.
Margins: 1, HF, 3. Odds: 15.21, 9.87, 4.06.
Also Ran: Disarm, Hit Show, Derma Sotogake (Jpn), Tapit Trice, Raise Cain, Rocket Can, Confidence Game, Sun Thunder, Mandarin Hero (Jpn), Reincarnate, Kingsbarns, King Russell, Verifying, Jace's Road, Cyclone Mischief. Scratched: Continuar (Jpn), Forte, Lord Miles, Practical Move, Skinner.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Godolphin’s Ottoman Fleet Takes Fort Marcy In First North American Start

Godolphin's British Group 3 winner Ottoman Fleet carried his winning ways overseas into his North American debut, finding room down the rail in overtaking the pacesetter Tide of the Sea and finishing strong for a 1 3/4-length victory in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Fort Marcy for 4-year-olds and up on the Belmont Park inner turf.

Ottoman Fleet, the even-money favorite, tracked comfortably in fifth position as 56-1 Tide of the Sea led the eight-horse field through an opening quarter mile in :23.71 seconds, the half in :47.81 and three-quarters in 1:11.91 over firm going.

Jockey Richie Mullen, who traveled with the British-bred Ottoman Fleet last week and cantered the horse over the Belmont training track, showed his familiarity with his charge, patiently saving ground before moving him up and surging past Tide of the Sea from the inside once straightened for home and completing the 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in a 1:47.25 final time.

The Tom Morley-trained Tide of the Sea ensured a high-priced exacta, holding on for second by fending off City Man by a neck. Rockemperor finished fourth, with Dynadrive, King Cause, Fort Washington and Keystone Field completing the order of finish. Law Professor, entered for the main-track only, was scratched.

“It's a beautiful track. The ground is as good as I've ridden on,” Mullen said. “With the rain we had when we arrived on Sunday, I thought this guy wouldn't mind it. But I was surprised how it has dried out. There was no kickback and the important thing with this horse is that he gets into a nice rhythm and he doesn't over race.

“He had one to aim at and I thought he might have got there a bit sooner, but the opportunity came down the rail and I had to take it,” Mullen added. “He's a horse on the up. I wouldn't be surprised for this horse to step up in grade, especially over here as I think this style of racing and track suits him.”

Trainer Charlie Appleby registered another victory at Belmont Park, building on the success he compiled previously with Althiqa in the 2021 Grade 1 Just a Game and Yibir, who won the Jockey Club Derby en route to victory in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar and Eclipse Award honors as Champion Turf Male.

Ottoman Fleet, who improved to a 4-3-3 record in 11 career starts, finished on the board for the eighth consecutive time. The 4-year-old Sea The Stars gelding out of the Motivator mare Innevera, bred in Great Britain by SCEA Marmion Vauville and Alain Jathiere, returned $4 on a $2 win wager. He also improved his career earnings to $345,259.

“He broke nicely and Richie gave him an absolute peach of a ride around,” said Chris Connett, assistant to Appleby. “When they peeled off the rail into the straight, he shot through there and put the race to bed pretty quickly. It was quite impressive.”

Flying P Stable's Tide of the Sea, ridden by Katie Davis, recorded his best finish since his last victory in the Japan Turf Cup in October 2021 at Laurel Park.

“I did gun him pretty good. He's a massive horse and I had to grab my saddle to get up on him,” Davis said. “Tom said, 'He has a big stride, don't take it away from him. Just gun him and take the lead and see if he holds on.' I looked between my legs and saw we were pretty far up there, so I kind of cocked his head towards the rail to slow him down a little, but you don't want to take away from his stride. He's got a big heart and he went on with it. It was beautiful and I'm so proud of him. He was game.”

Trevor McCarthy, the rider aboard City Man, rallied the Christophe Clement trainee from sixth to round out the trifecta. The multiple graded-stakes winning son of Mucho Macho Man was making his first start since an off-the-board effort in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational in January at Gulfstream Park.

“I think he just got a little tired when I needed him the most,” McCarthy said. “It was a beautiful trip, I was covered up the whole way. We were two-wide in the first turn and two-wide in the second turn and then got out at the corner, but we had no excuses today – the winner just had an even better trip than I did.”

City Man, bred in New York by Moonstar Farm, banked $24,000 for his third-place finish to earn millionaire status with $1,011,120 in career purse earnings.

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