Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Horse Racing’s Financial Power Dynamics

Ferocious’s Impressive Debut at Saratoga Racecourse

Horse racing is a sport where financial power often determines success, and a recent performance at Saratoga Racecourse showcased the impact of deep pockets.

On Saturday, the combination of Gustavo Delgado Jr., assistant trainer to his father, and Ramiro Restrepo, bloodstock agent, flexed their newfound financial muscle when their $1.3 million purchase, Ferocious, made a splash. The son of Flatter overcame a poor start to run away with a six-furlong contest, winning by an impressive 7 3/4 lengths under a confident ride from jockey Javier Castellano. Ferocious’s time of 1:09.65 on a muddy, sealed track earned him a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 from Daily Racing Form, the highest for a 2-year-old this season.

“Mage is a gift that keeps on giving,” Restrepo said. “For myself, I can go out and purchase horses that before I could only dream of.”

The purchase of Ferocious was a testament to the financial capabilities of Delgado and Restrepo, who had previously shattered their budget to acquire Mage, a 2-year-old in training who went on to win last year’s Kentucky Derby. Delgado’s father had authorized him to go up to $100,000 for Mage, but the hammer fell at $290,000, requiring the team to quickly find partners to cover the cost. Mage’s subsequent success, however, has been a “gift that keeps on giving” for the young duo, allowing them to target high-profile prospects like Ferocious.

Targeting the Sport’s Biggest Prizes

Ferocious, named by Restrepo, was a horse that would have been beyond their reach until the Mage triumph. This time, when the bidding escalated, JR Ranch, the Delgados’ OGMA Investments, and High Step Racing joined Restrepo to back the purchase.

Trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. was impressed with Ferocious’s debut, describing him as a “real nice horse” whose performance was “so easy.” The colt’s ability to recover from the poor start and put himself in a winning position quickly impressed the team, and they are now considering the Grade 1 Hopeful on September 2 as a potential next step.

As for the long-term outlook, the team is not afraid to dream big, with Delgado acknowledging that they are “Derby dreaming” every day, starting their mornings at 4 o’clock. The success with Mage has given them the confidence and the financial means to target the sport’s biggest prizes, and Ferocious’s debut suggests he could be the next horse to take them on that journey.

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