Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: The Puma

Mar 10, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

The Puma wins the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photos)

OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing’s three-year-old horse named The Puma punched his ticket to the Run for the Roses following his game score in the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 7. Rallying from last-to-first in posting his first-ever victory, the winner completed 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:43.23 under the guidance of Jaiver Castellano.

“I really like my horse and what he did and the way he did it. He ran really good,” said Castellano.“With three-year-olds, you have to give them a chance to develop. In his first race, he got beat by a really good horse. In the second race (the Sam Davis), it was his first time around two turns. He started to figure it out today. When he got rolling, he did what he was supposed to do. I like the way he finished.”

The Puma earned 50 qualifying points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series, and the next four across the line also earned points, as well. Further Ado (25), Canaletto (15), Redland Rebels (10), and Talkin (5) finished second through fifth and earned qualifying points for their runs.

THE PUMA had his running shoes on today and pounced on the favorites at 7/1 in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby to pick up 50 points towards Kentucky Derby 152! 🏆🌹

Gustavo Delgado trains the 3YO and @jjcjockey was aboard!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/yYD0LqSu1b

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 7, 2026

Trained by Gustavo Delgado, The Puma began his career on Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park and finished a very good second behind Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up Chief Wallabee in a seven-furlong race on the dirt. In his second appearance, the three-year-old ran third in the Sam F. Davis S. on the Tampa Bay dirt. His career mark now stands at 3-1-1-1, $244,280.

The son of Essential Quality was bred in Kentucky by Hidden Brook Farm and Brian Kahn, and he was offered at public auction twice. He didn’t meet his reserve as a yearling at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, prior to being sold for $150,000 at OBS in April.

The Puma has registered Brisnet Speed ratings of 94-90-93 from his three races to date. The $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on March 28 at Gulfstream Park, and the $1.25 million Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on April 4, are two possible options for his next start, according to his connections.