Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mage

It’s safe to say Mage hails from a family of Kentucky Derby (G1) veterans. His sire, grandsire, and dam sire all started in the Run for the Roses, giving Mage the pedigree to factor on the first Saturday in May.

Mage comes from the first crop of foals sired by Good Magic, the champion two-year-old male of 2017 after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). A son of two-time Horse of the Year and acclaimed classics sire Curlin (who placed third in the 2007 Kentucky Derby), Good Magic improved upon his own sire’s Kentucky Derby performance by finishing second in 2018, beaten only by future Triple Crown winner Justify.

Good Magic is off to a hot start at stud. On the Road to the Kentucky Derby alone he’s sired Champagne (G1) winner Blazing Sevens, Remsen (G2) hero Dubyuhnell, Iroquois (G3) winner Curly Jack, and Sham (G3) winner Reincarnate. As of April 20, Blazing Sevens and Reincarnate are under consideration to join Mage in the Kentucky Derby field.

Just like Curlin, Good Magic is siring classy dirt horses who thrive running one mile and farther. Mage is yet another example, qualifying to compete in the 2023 Kentucky Derby by placing fourth in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and second in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Mage has only run three times, which brings back memories of Big Brown, the dam sire of Mage through Big Brown’s daughter Puca. Big Brown went 3-for-3 to start his career, highlighted by a blowout victory in the Florida Derby, and he kept his win streak intact with a decisive triumph in the 2008 Kentucky Derby.

While not a resounding success at stud, Big Brown occasionally sires high-level winners. His best runner to date has been Dortmund, a classy dirt racer who won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G1) prior to finishing third in the 2015 Kentucky Derby.

Whereas Good Magic is emerging as a sire of dirt horses, Big Brown has sired both dirt horses and turf runners alike, and that versatility is evident in Puca. Victorious twice apiece on dirt and turf, Puca was at her best running long and recorded her best effort in the 1 1/8-mile Gazelle (G2) on dirt at Aqueduct, finishing second. She later ran 12th in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

In addition to Mage, daughters of Big Brown have foaled W.A. Guineas (G2) and Asian Beau (G3) winner Treasured Star, Emancipation (G2) winner Roots, and Remington Springboard Mile S. winner Wildatlanticstorm. The first two have proven best on turf, while Wildatlanticstorm is a dirt racer.

The cross of Good Magic and Big Brown is reaping dividends with Mage. While Big Brown’s progeny might be best racing a bit less than 1 1/4 miles, the stamina in Good Magic’s pedigree should counterbalance any shortcomings and help Mage shine over classic distances.

Further Analysis on Mage

• SCULLY: Mage - Kentucky Derby Context