Kentucky Derby Prep Review March 10, 2026

Mar 10, 2026 James Scully

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

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series swung through Santa Anita and Tampa Bay Downs last weekend, with the San Felipe (G2) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3) offering qualifying points to the top five finishers (50-25-15-10-5 scale).

What Happened

The Puma overcame a wide trip and closed last to first in the nine-horse Tampa Bay Derby, prevailing by three-quarters of a length. The chestnut colt broke through with his first career win, and The Puma has the same trainer/combination as the 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage.

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

Potente jumped to stakes competition and got up in the final strides to win the San Felipe (G2) by a neck, improving to 2-for-2 for six-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert. The bay colt is a son of Into Mischief, who has sired a record-tying three Kentucky Derby winners, including 2025 hero Sovereignty.

Analysis

Lightly raced horses continue to make a significant impact on the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

Both qualifying races at Tampa Bay Downs, the Tampa Bay Derby and Sam F. Davis S., a month earlier, were captured by maidens. Remsen (G2) runner-up Renegade, who had been disqualified after narrowly finishing first in a maiden race last fall, recorded his first official win in the Davis. The Puma was making his third start, finishing a good second to subsequent Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up Chief Wallabee the first time out in mid-January and checking in a well-beaten third after a less-than-favorable trip in the Davis.

Javier Castellano rides for trainer Gustavo Delgado, and The Puma is campaigned by OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing, which includes some of Mage’s owners.

After racing close to the early pace in his first two starts, The Puma appeared more effective utilizing off-the-pace tactics in the Tampa Bay Derby; he made multiple moves while traveling extremely wide throughout and displayed courage, outfinishing a pair of well-regarded rivals, runner-up Further Ado and third-placer Canaletto.

However, his 93 Brisnet Speed Rating came back disappointing. The track played slower after late-afternoon showers, but they did not finish fast, and the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby wound up nearly two seconds slower than the Challenger S. at the same distance earlier on the program.

Speed Ratings have been down, with the recent Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream producing the only triple-digit figures so far this year, but The Puma will be up against it from a numbers perspective if connections opt to train up to the Kentucky Derby eight weeks later. By comparison, Renegade registered a 97 Speed Rating when winning the Davis at Tampa.

Delgado said he preferred another start beforehand, mentioning the Florida Derby (G1) on March 28 and Blue Grass (G1) a week later as possibilities, and a fast final prep would benefit The Puma. Mage recorded a 15-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby after receiving a 99 Speed Rating for a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby.

Turf will always be an option with his classy female family, but Potente put himself in the Kentucky Derby picture when recording an 8-1 upset in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe, rallying boldly late to overtake 67-1 outsider Robusta. Juan Hernandez was up on the $2.4 million yearling purchase for owner Speedway Stables (Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner).

We are 110 days away from @KentuckyDerby 152! @J_Keelerman has the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds! 🌹 🗞️ https://t.co/Db6yzx5YsG

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 14, 2026

Potente earned a respectable 97 Brisnet Speed Rating. He didn’t make his career debut until Jan. 31, winning a six-furlong maiden race, and still has upside for Baffert, who owns a record 17 Triple Crown race wins. But it’s difficult to gauge what to make of this year’s San Felipe; odds-on favorite Brant was out of horse midway on the far turn, and 2-1 second choice So Happy made no impact in the final furlongs. Robusta was able to turn things around after a dull sixth in last month’s Robert B. Lewis (G3) but still has much to prove for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill.

We will learn more when the top two from the San Felipe return for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 4.