Kentucky Derby 2023 Payout: Dissecting Prize-Money Purse and Final Race Results

After coming into the 2023 Kentucky Derby as a largely unheralded competitor in the field, Mage made himself into an instant superstar with a dazzling performance to earn the biggest victory of his young career.

On top of securing a place in horse-racing history with a win in the sport's most famous event, Mage also made $1.86 million for his team.

2023 Kentucky Derby Results and Prize Money ($3 million total purse)

1. Mage ($1.86 million)

2. Two Phil's ($600,000)

3. Angel of Empire ($300,000)

4. Disarm ($150,000)

5. Hit Show ($90,000)

6. Derma Sotogake

7. Tapit Trice

8. Raise Cain

9. Rocket Can

10. Confidence Game

11. Sun Thunder

12. Mandarin Hero

13. Reincarnate

14. Kingsbarns

15. King Russell

16. Verifying

17. Jace's Road

18. Cyclone Mischief

19. Skinner (SCR)

20. Forte (SCR)

Prize payouts via Boardroom.tv

Saturday was the first victory for Mage since Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park in Florida. The colt did finish a close second to Forte, the odds-on favorite at Churchill Downs before a late scratch, at the Florida Derby on April 1.

So there were some indications Mage was capable of running at a top-tier level. Jockey Javier Castellano was able to get it out of him by keeping the horse close to the pack going into the final stretch before a huge push at the end.

"I never give up," the 45-year-old Castellano said after his first career Kentucky Derby victory. "I always try hard to do the right thing. It took me a little while to get there. I finally got it."

Mage had 15-1 odds (bet $100 to win $1,500) coming into the race. He had the third-worst odds of any horse to win the Kentucky Derby since 2012, ahead of only Country Horse in 2019 and Rich Strike in 2022 (both 30-1).

It probably says a lot about how well-regarded Mage is that he would still get 15-1 odds despite having such a limited racing resume. The three-year-old has excellent bloodlines, with 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion Good Magic as his sire.

The next test for Mage could come in two weeks at the Preakness Stakes. There is no official word about his status for the second leg of the Triple Crown at this point.

Given how little racing experience Mage has and having never had less than four weeks between events to recover, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's saved for the Belmont Stakes.