SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Bloodstock agent and Thoroughbred owner Ramiro Restrepo, trainer Gustavo Delgado, and the latter’s son and assistant Gustavo Delgado Jr., had the ride of their lives with 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage. They have the chance to dream big again after a powerhouse debut by Ferocious on Saturday at Saratoga – and the colt’s presence in the barn can be credited to the success of last year. “Mage is the gift that keeps on giving for us,” said Restrepo after Ferocious, a $1.3 million purchase earlier this year, rolled by 7 3/4 lengths in Saturday’s sixth race, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 96, tops this year for a juvenile. Gustavo Delgado Jr. said Sunday afternoon that the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on closing day of the meet could potentially be step two for Ferocious, with that race among the stakes possibilities "on our radar." “It’s let myself go out and purchase horses I could only dream of – before, it was fantasy football," said Restrepo. "[The Delgados] are more than capable to have a barn full of horses, and they’re deserving of the opportunity. Mage took us on this incredible ride. He’s given us the ability to create partnerships which are so important. Because of the belief in what we did with Mage, people have more confidence in us to come into partnership with us and start dancing.” Mage was raced in partnership by OGMA Investments, a partnership helmed by Delgado Jr.; Restrepo; Sam Herzberg’s Sterling Racing; and Commonwealth, a sports investment app offering micro-shares in racehorses. OGMA and Restrepo and his partners own percentages of Ferocious, along with new player Jose Aguirre's JR Ranch; and High Step Racing, consisting of minority shareholders through Commonwealth who wanted to branch out and begin their own stable. :: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports straight from the morning workouts at the track. Available every race day. JR Ranch was a key player in facilitating the purchase of Ferocious when bidding on the Flatter colt, who is from a deep Juddmonte female family, reached seven figures at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s March sale of 2-year-olds in training. He had landed on many shortlists after breezing a furlong in a zippy 9 4/5 seconds during the under-tack preview show. “I think the credit goes to JR Ranch; when we were trying to buy him, he wouldn’t stop, and that’s what you need in those cases,” said Delgado Jr., who deputized for the barn on Saturday with his father in Florida. “Since the horse has been in the barn, he’s been so nice to be around. Very chill, anybody can ride him. We were pretty confident, I have to be honest.” The confidence in Ferocious, who had trained well on a wet track at Gulfstream, wasn’t shaken much when the track was muddy and sealed at race time. “Two days ago, Gustavo Senior, when we saw the weather forecast, he said, ‘Don’t worry about it, he’s a duck,’” Restrepo said. Ferocious was off a bit slowly from the rail in the field of nine, but moved up under urging from Javier Castellano – who rode Mage to the Derby win – to sit just off the pace. He made his bid on the outside in upper stretch and drew off, finishing the six furlongs in 1:09.65. His professional behavior and strong performance on a busy Saturday at Saratoga, which will likely propel him into stakes company, validated Restrepo’s impressions of the colt’s attitude at the sales earlier this year, when he said the colt responded well to the pressure of being scrutinized by buyers dozens of times a day. “When you see a horse thriving in those environments mentally, you start thinking to yourself, ‘Well, he could maybe handle the big stage,’” Restrepo said. “Today was step one.” The big stage awaits. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.