Mage wins Kentucky Derby in race marred by loss of seven horses

Mage, a 15-1 favorite, galloped to victory Saturday evening in the Kentucky Derby, setting off a victorious celebration at the end of the 149th running of America’s most famous horse race that had been marred by several deaths of animals beforehand

Two horses died in the hours just before the start of the race at Churchill Downs, bringing the total to seven in the days before the derby.

But Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano rode Mage around the 1 1/4-mile track in 2:01.57 to win, holding off Two Phils by a length.

Angel of Empire and Disarm rounded out the top four.

It was Castellano’s first win at the Kentucky Derby and afterward he credited persistence and discipline for his victory. tries: “I always tried hard to do the right thing. It took me a little while but I never gave up,” he said.