HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Before anybody scoffs at the idea of trainer Gustavo Delgado entering Mage against the likes of Forte and Blazing Sevens in Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth off only a single start, consider some of the stunning results the veteran horseman has posted since coming to the United States from his native Venezuela nine years ago. Delgado gained national attention in 2016 after first sending out Majesto to finish second behind eventual Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist at odds of 21-1 in the Grade 1 Florida Derby before shocking the racing world on one of its biggest stages, Saratoga, several months later by upsetting the Grade 1 Test with the 55-1 Paola Queen. Delgado was back at it again several years later with Bodexpress, who finished second behind Maximum Security at 71-1 in the 2019 Florida Derby before becoming a Grade 1 winner the following season as an 11-1 chance in the Clark. And it was in the Fountain of Youth just a year ago when Delgado showed up with the lightly raced O Captain, who overcame a very tough post to finish a late-running third as an 87-1 outsider. “My father has been very successful doing this kind of thing in the past, so why not try it again with this colt, who we certainly haven’t seen the best of yet,” said Delgado’s son and assistant Gustavo Jr. “When we decided to go for this race a few weeks ago, we didn’t think it would come up as tough as it looks now but we were committed at that point. :: Get Gulfstream Park Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.  “He’s breezed three times since his maiden win, the last two times in company, and both were very good. He’s filled out some and seems to be doing much better than when we ran him the first time.” Mage, a son of Good Magic, led throughout to register a 3 3/4-length victory in his debut, completing seven furlongs in 1:22.54 and receiving an 88 Beyer Speed Figure. He will be ridden for the first time in the Fountain of Youth by Javier Castellano, who was aboard Mage in his most recent work, five furlongs in 1:00.78, punctuated by a very strong gallop out during which he appeared best in company with the older and more seasoned O Captain. “We’re relying on Javier’s opinion and he liked him a lot,” the younger Delgado said. “He said [Mage] was very mature for a horse who’d only run once. And his pedigree suggests he can go longer. Obviously, we’re aware this is a big step for him but we know he likes the track, he’s got tactical speed, and it’s probably a pretty good time to be meeting the big horse [Forte], who is coming off a layoff.” O Captain will compete earlier on Saturday’s card when returning from a 10-month layoff in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile in which he’ll go up against Forte’s stablemate and odds-on favorite Charge It. “He had nothing major wrong, we just didn’t feel like he was 100 percent when he came back here from Kentucky after finishing fourth in the Pat Day Mile so we gave him time,” Delgado said. “He’s had plenty of works and with his running style, we’re not worried this will be asking him to do too much the first time back.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.