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After a tumultuous week leading up to the Kentucky Derby, one that saw five horses scratched from the race, horse racing’s most iconic event ended with a tremendous story.
Mage came from behind to capture the crown, surpassing Two Phil’s down the stretch and holding off favorite Angel of Empire to earn the victory.
Venezuelan trainer Gustavo Delgado won his first Kentucky Derby, a moment that left him almost too emotional to speak once the race ended. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who had been winless in 15 previous Kentucky Derby runs, finally reached the pinnacle in No. 16.
Anyone who was confident enough to place a bet on Mage was rewarded. With 15-1 odds, Mage was not among the pre-race favorites, even after Forte dropped out earlier on Saturday.
It’s not quite the massive upset Rich Strike pulled a year ago, but it’s another year in which the Kentucky Derby winner was not the most popular pick entering the “greatest two minutes in sports.”
Bettors weren’t the only ones who will benefit from the win. Mage is owned by 391 shareholders, so there are hundreds of thrilled investors who put their faith in the right horse.
Derby winner Mage is owned by Commonwealth, a fractional share company that lets people invest as little as $50 in athletes, including horses and golfers. Huge boost to the app.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 6, 2023
MORE: Watch the Kentucky Derby live with Fubo (free trial)
The Sporting News tracked live updates and results from the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Check out all of the key moments you might have missed.
Kentucky Derby finish order
This section will be updated once the full results are finalized.
| Order | Horse |
| 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 |
Watch the 2023 Kentucky Derby
The full running of the Kentucky Derby is below.
The full running of the 149th #KyDerby where MAGE emerged victorious! pic.twitter.com/hLKQsiZ835
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 6, 2023
Kentucky Derby live updates, highlights, results
(All times Eastern)
7:05 p.m. — Mage was able to overtake Two Phil’s, and a late surge by favorite Angel of Empire was just too late.
7:03 p.m. — MAGE OVERTAKES THE LEADERS AND WINS THE KENTUCKY DERBY! After all of the buzz surrounding the favorites, the horse with 15-1 odds comes from behind and wins it.
7:02 p.m. — Kingsbarns takes the lead! Two Phil’s is in second.
7:01 p.m. — Verifying has an early lead, with Kingsbarns right behind.
7:00 p.m. — Here we go!
6:57 p.m. — Your official favorite is Angel of Empire at 4-1. Horses still making their way over…
6:52 p.m. — The pre-race fanfare is coming to an end, and we’re just a few minutes away from the horses being in position.
6:45 p.m. — Patrick Mahomes gives the “Riders up!” call, but Louisville isn’t too far from Cincinnati…
While @PatrickMahomes said the “Rider’s Up” call, people in the crowd started to “boo.” pic.twitter.com/ef3OITz4nl
— Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez (@SoyAnaAlvarez) May 6, 2023
6:42 p.m. — We are officially 15 minutes from post time at Churchill Downs.
6:39 p.m. — Josh Allen and his offseason hair are going with Disarm.
.@JoshAllenQB has his #KyDerby bet…and jokes. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/JK6fUdfHiH
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 6, 2023
6:19 p.m. — The Kentucky Derby horses are on the move. Horses and trainers are going through the traditional walkover with post time less than 40 minutes away.
6:07 p.m. — Mattress Mack just bet $1.2 million on Angel of Empire live on NBC, and it was enough to bring the horse’s odds down to 4-1.
5:56 p.m. — Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire remain co-favorites with 9-2 odds, followed by Derma Sotogke at 7-1.
5:29 p.m. — A great moment during the early races today as Cody’s Wish wins The Churchill Downs in front of namesake Cody Dorman, a teenager born were a rare genetic disorder.
Incredible!
Cody’s Wish wins The Churchill Downs. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PaU7qSLrHA
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 6, 2023
4:25 p.m. — Sadly, Derby Day has been marred by two more deaths. Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point were both euthanized after suffering leg injuries in the day’s early races, only adding more questions about the track conditions at Churchill Downs.
4:07 p.m. — Patrick Mahomes and Mattress Mack meet up at Churchill Downs. Mahomes will do the “Riders up!” call before the race.
“You cost me millions betting against you.”
Mahomes and Mattress Mack linked up at the Kentucky Derby 😂 pic.twitter.com/gqMYe7FAC4
— br_betting (@br_betting) May 6, 2023
1:23 p.m. — Forte’s exit has shifted betting lines dramatically, making Jace’s Road the longest shot at only 32-1. Rich Strike won with 80-1 odds last year. Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire are co-favorites at 9-2.
9:11 a.m. — Derby Day dawns with another scratch, the fifth of the week and by far the most significant. Race favorite Forte is out after veterinarians raised concerns about a bruised right front foot.
Forte has scratched from the #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/JoLvoAURXu
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 6, 2023
2023 Kentucky Derby post time
- Date: Saturday, May 6
- Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock | NBC Sports app | Fubo
NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby will begin at 12 p.m. ET, nearly seven hours before the post time for the first leg of the Triple Crown. There will be other races throughout the day at Churchill Downs, with the first post time set for 10:30 a.m. ET.
Viewers can also stream the Kentucky Derby on Peacock, the NBC Sports App, or Fubo, which offers a free trial.