Kentucky Derby 2023 Video: Replay Highlights, Race Results and Breakdown

In the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby, Mage sprinted into history with a blistering finish at Churchill Downs.

Javier Castellano piloted the Gustavo Delgado-trained Mage to an exciting win, overtaking Two Phil's and holding off Angel of Empire down the stretch. Castellano secured his first Derby triumph in 16 tries.

Mage, the grandson of both 2007 Preakness Stakes winner Curlin and 2008 Derby winner Big Brown, entered the Run for the Roses with moderate 15-1 odds. In other words, Mage was a contender yet not particularly close to favorites Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire.

Plus, earlier in the day, Derby favorite Forte had been scratched because of a bruised right foot.

But the rose blanket went to Mage.

Video Highlights

As the clock struck 7 p.m. ET at Churchill Downs, the gates flew open for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Verifying and Kingsbarn set the pace for three-quarters of a mile, closely followed by Reincarnate.

As the 18-horse field rounded the final turn, however, the ultimate challengers made their move.

Verifying faded, and Kingsbarn soon followed suit. Two Phil's charged ahead on the inside, while Mage surged on the outside to the lead. They separated from the pack with Mage clinging to a slim advantage.

Angel of Empire made a serious run in the final furlong. Mage, though, had enough speed to outlast Two Phil's, and the hard-charging Angel of Empire didn't have enough room to catch them.

Race Results

Rob Carr/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 06: Mage #8, ridden by jockey Javier Castellano leads the field to the finish line during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 06, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

1. Mage

2. Two Phil's

3. Angel of Empire

4. Disarm

5. Hit Show

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 (Scratched)

20. Forte (Scratched)

Derby Breakdown

Rob Carr/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 06: Jockey Javier Castellano celebrates atop of Mage #8 after winning the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 06, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

In front of more than 150,000 spectators, Mage sprinted to a victory for a collective of nearly 400 shareholders.

The publicly owned racehorse—a fascinating sidebar to an incredible story—had only started three races before Saturday's win. Mage responded to jockey Castellano in a perfect manner at the perfect moment.

"When he started making his move I felt really confident," assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said, per David K. Li of NBC News. "When Javier started to ask him, I knew he would sustain that move."

And it was a move worth $1.86 million.

Two Phil's netted his ownership a $600,000 payday, while Angel of Empire's third-place finish resulted in $300,000. Disarm ($150,000) and Hit Show ($90,000) rounded out the money winners.