SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Kentucky Derby winner Mage turned in a strong six-furlong workout Friday morning over Saratoga’s main track as he continues his preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 26. With exercise rider in J.J. Delgado in the saddle, Mage went six furlongs in 1:12.98. Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch timed Mage in 24.18 seconds for the opening quarter, 36.13 for three furlongs, 48.44 for half-mile, and got him going his last quarter in 24.54. Mage continued out in 1:26.31 for seven furlongs and 1:40.66 for a mile. Trainer Gustavo Delgado seemed taken aback by how fast Mage went, but was overall pleased with what he saw. “Very good, very good,” Delgado said. “The time was very good. Right now, I’m observing my horse [and he’s] very good.” It was Mage’s second work at Saratoga since he arrived on July 24, two days after he finished second to Geaux Rocket Ride in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Park. :: DRF's 2023 Saratoga headquarters: Previews, past performances, picks, recaps, news, and more. On Aug. 5, Mage went five furlongs in 1:01.08 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.51. “Everything that he’s doing, he’s doing on his own,” said Ramiro Restrepo, part-owner and the bloodstock agent who helped select Mage. “We’re not setting time benchmarks to achieve anything, we just want to hit the time on the 26th to win the race. He’s taken to Saratoga like a lot of horses have, doing really well right now.” Mage, who will be ridden by Luis Saez in the Travers, will have one more work next Friday. Meanwhile, in California, Reincarnate, the Los Alamitos Derby winner, worked six furlongs in 1:11.20 at Del Mar. He went in company with Grade 1 Woody Stephens winner Arabian Lion. Reincarnate, as well as Preakness winner National Treasure, are pointing to the Travers. Arabian Lion, as well as Dwyer Stakes winner Fort Bragg, are pointing to the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens on the Travers undercard, trainer Bob Baffert said. Speaking of Reincarnate, Baffert said, “He’s going to have to move it up, but his Los Al race was good. I think he’ll handle a mile and a quarter. As long as he works great next week, that’s the whole key.” Preakness winner National Treasure was scheduled to work Saturday, Baffert said. On Friday, trainer John Shirreffs said that Skinner, who was under consideration for the Travers, would remain in Southern California for the Pacific Classic. As of Friday, the Travers field stood at eight – Arcangelo (Javier Castellano), Disarm (Joel Rosario), Forte (Irad Ortiz Jr.), Mage (Luis Saez), National Treasure (John Velazquez), Reincarnate (Juan Hernandez), Scotland (Junior Alvarado), and Tapit Trice (TBD). –additional reporting by Steve Andersen :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.