The Puma strikes in Tampa Bay Derby

Mar 07, 2026 James Scully

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

The Puma broke through with his first win and punched his Kentucky Derby ticket in Saturday’s $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), rallying last-to-first to score by nearly a length.

After racing closer to the pace in his first two stars, The Puma switched to late-running tactics and earned 50 qualifying points for winning the Road to the Kentucky Derby series race. He left the starting gate as the 7-1 fourth choice among nine runners.

Trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Javier Castellano, the same jockey/rider combination of 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, The Puma is owned by OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing.

The Puma, who received 6 points toward a Kentucky Derby berth when third in his previous outing, the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7, commenced his bid on the far turn, closing boldly into the frame while wide. After battling briefly with Futher Ado and Canaletto, The Puma edged away in deep stretch and completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.23.

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

The second-through-fifth finishers received points on a 25-15-10-5 scale. Further Ado, the 2-1 second choice and making his first start since winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs in late November, got up for second, a head better than 3-2 favorite Canaletto in third.

Next came pacesetter Redland Rebels and Talkin in fourth and fifth. Powershift, Thunder Buck, Hulkamania, and Roger That Dana completed the order.

A chestnut son of Essential Quality, The Puma overcame a slow start to finish a good second to Chief Wallabee when making his career debut at Gulfstream Park in mid-January. The rival confirmed himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender when coming back to record an excellent second in the recent Fountain of Youth (G2), and The Puma bolstered his standing significantly in the Tampa Bay Derby.