LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Mage won the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on a day when an abnormal string of horse deaths continued earlier in the day at Churchill Downs , casting a long shadow over America’s marquee racing event. Mage broke a step slow from the No. 8 post but quickly recovered as Verifying and Kingsbarns set a blistering early pace, covering the first half-mile in 45.73 seconds. As the leaders began to tire, jockey Javier Castellano navigated Mage into the clear as the field approached the final turn. Mage finished the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:01.57.

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