<P> On April 7, Good Magic made his next start in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland racetrack . He settled into fifth behind the early pace set by Arawak and Flameaway, then launched his move around the far turn, drawing away down the stretch for a ​ 1 ⁄ - length win . "He ran maybe a little short fitness-wise in his last race and came back and redeemed himself today," said Brown . "He put himself right at the top of the class again ." </P> <P> On May 5, Good Magic entered the 2018 Kentucky Derby, going off as the sixth betting choice at odds of 9.7 - 1 in a field of 20 . The favorite was Justify, winner of the Santa Anita Derby . The track was muddy after exceptionally heavy rain throughout the day so the start was seen as critical . Good Magic broke well and settled a few lengths behind a fast early pace set by Promises Fulfilled and Justify . As they rounded the final turn, Promises Fulfilled dropped back while Good Magic shifted to the outside and started to make up ground on Justify . He closed to within a length and a half at the top of the stretch before Justify again pulled away, eventually winning by two - and - a-half lengths . Good Magic tired in the final strides but still hung on for second against a fast closing Audible . </P> <P> Good Magic's connections decided to race him just two weeks later in the 2018 Preakness Stakes, where he again faced Justify over a sloppy track . This time, Ortiz decided to press the pace more closely and raced side by side with Justify until mid-stretch . At that point, Justify started to inch away while Bravazo and Tenfold started closing rapidly . In a blanket finish, Good Magic finished fourth to Justify, but just one length behind . The change in tactics was somewhat controversial, with Ortiz feeling that he had "messed up". Brown was also disappointed because Good Magic does not like to be on on the lead, but felt the colt's inside post position and the lack of other early speed horses didn't leave Ortiz with many options . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Date </Th> <Th> Age </Th> <Th> Distance </Th> <Th> Race </Th> <Th> Grade </Th> <Th> Track </Th> <Th> Odds </Th> <Th> Field </Th> <Th> Finish </Th> <Th> Winning Time </Th> <Th> Winning (Losing) Margin </Th> <Th> Jockey </Th> <Th> Ref </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Aug 26, 2017 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ​ 6 ⁄ furlongs </Td> <Td> Maiden Special Weight </Td> <Td> Maiden </Td> <Td> Saratoga </Td> <Td> 0.75 * </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1: 16.40 </Td> <Td> 2999900000000000000 ♠ (1 length) </Td> <Td> John Velazquez </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Oct 7, 2017 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1 mile </Td> <Td> Champagne Stakes </Td> <Td> Grade I </Td> <Td> Belmont Park </Td> <Td> 4.30 </Td> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1: 35.91 </Td> <Td> 3000500000000000000 ♠ (​ ⁄ length) </Td> <Td> Jose Ortiz </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nov 4, 2017 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ​ 1 ⁄ miles </Td> <Td> Breeders' Cup Juvenile </Td> <Td> Grade I </Td> <Td> Del Mar </Td> <Td> 11.50 </Td> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1: 43.34 </Td> <Td> ​ 4 ⁄ lengths </Td> <Td> Jose Ortiz </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mar 3, 2018 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ​ 1 ⁄ miles </Td> <Td> Fountain of Youth Stakes </Td> <Td> Grade II </Td> <Td> Gulfstream Park </Td> <Td> 0.70 * </Td> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1: 44.17 </Td> <Td> 2999800000000000000 ♠ (2 lengths) </Td> <Td> Jose Ortiz </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Apr 7, 2018 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ​ 1 ⁄ miles </Td> <Td> Blue Grass Stakes </Td> <Td> Grade II </Td> <Td> Keeneland </Td> <Td> 1.60 * </Td> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1: 50.18 </Td> <Td> ​ 1 ⁄ lengths </Td> <Td> Jose Ortiz </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> May 5, 2018 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ​ 1 ⁄ miles </Td> <Td> Kentucky Derby </Td> <Td> Grade I </Td> <Td> Churchill Downs </Td> <Td> 9.70 </Td> <Td> 20 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 2: 05.31 </Td> <Td> 2999750000000000000 ♠ (​ 2 ⁄ lengths) </Td> <Td> Jose Ortiz </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> May 19, 2018 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ​ 1 ⁄ miles </Td> <Td> Preakness Stakes </Td> <Td> Grade I </Td> <Td> Pimlico </Td> <Td> 3.90 * </Td> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1: 58.62 </Td> <Td> ​ ⁄ length </Td> <Td> Jose Ortiz </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Where did good magic place in the preakness