The Kentucky Derby’s 149th edition saw seven deaths in the run-up to the race, prompting concerns about the future of horse racing. Despite the fatalities, Mage, a 15-1 shot, emerged as a surprise winner, triumphing against 17 rivals in a close race. The inexperienced colt, who had only one career win, was in the skilled hands of Venezuelan jockey, Javier Castellano, who snapped a 15-race skid in the Derby. Castellano and Mage launched a gutsy stretch run, overtaking Two Phil’s and crossing the finish line in just over two minutes. Mage joined a select group of Derby winners with just three previous starts, including Justify and Big Brown. Despite the triumph, horse racing’s recent spate of deaths has raised concerns among racegoers and the industry at large. Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert is nearing the end of a two-year ban issued by Churchill Downs Inc., and in 2019, over 30 horse deaths occurred at California’s Santa Anita racetrack, leading to safety reforms. New antidoping and medication rules enforced by a central governing body of the sport are scheduled to take effect May 22.
