By John Gaspar
The Puma, bred by Hidden Brook Farm & Brian Kahn, sits 6th on the final points leaderboard with a total of 106 points. He earned 50 points in his final prep, the Florida Derby. With his 50 point victory in the Tampa Bay Derby, he is squarely in the field.
Racing Record and Notable Performances
4-1-2-1
The Puma ran 2nd on Debut to another potential Derby starter, Chief Wallabee.
Stepped right up into the Sam F. Davis and ran 3rd to likely Derby favorite, Renegade.
Confirmed his affinity for the Tampa Bay track and won the Tampa Bay Derby by ¾ length, holding off eventual Blue Grass winner, Further Ado.
Used the Florida Derby as his final prep and ran a heartbreaking 2nd to Commandment, getting nosed at the wire.
Pedigree and Connections
- Sire: Essential Quality
- Dam & Damsire: Eye of War (by Declaration of War)
- Owner: OGMA Investments LLC, JR Ranch and High Step Racing, LLC
- Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
- Jockey: Javier Castellano
Pedigree is mixed. Essential Quality is in his second year as a sire and The Puma is his highest earning prodigy. We do know that Essential Quality and his sire Tapit wanted to go a route of ground and had no issues with distance. The dam side pedigree is mixed. Eye of War won twice. Broke her maiden in dirt at six furlongs while on the lead and won a first level allowance going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. She was G3 stakes placed going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. Her damsire was a multiple G1 winner on turf but also ran 3rd in the BC Classic in 2013.
Gustavo Delgado trained and Javier Castellano rode Mage to victory in the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Javier is no stranger to the winner’s circle on Derby Day either. He rode Macho Music to victory in the 2025 Pat Day Mile on the undercard of the Derby.
Final Prep Analysis
- Final Prep Race: G1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park (March 28th)
- Finish Position: 2nd out of 6
- Final Time: 1:49:99
- Beyer Speed Figure: 100
Florida Derby was the deepest of the prep races. The top 3 horses in the 6 horse field are likely to compete in the KY Derby. The Puma ran 2nd by a dirty nose to Commandment with Chief Wallabee checking in 3rd. The top 3 were separated by a ½ length. The Puma got a very good trip, sat 3rd after a ½ mile, just off the flank of the race favorite Nearly. He ranged up on the turn, took the lead at the top of the stretch but was caught on the wire by Commandment.
An argument could be made that The Puma was a little short in the Florida Derby. He was already in the Derby field, having 56 points prior to the Florida Derby and didn’t need to be fully cranked.
Strengths and Concerns
Strengths: Looks to be an improving horse, connections have won the KY Derby within the past 3 years. He has some tactical speed and figures to sit a better trip than the other serious contenders. He has 5 weeks into the race after a 3 week turnaround to run in the FL Derby.
Concerns: Distance is still a question. Is dirt his best surface? He has already lost to three other horses in the field.
Expert Opinions and Odds
The Puma figures to be no better than 4th choice in the Derby and possibly as high as 6th choice. I would project his odds to be 10-15 to 1. A cursory look at an offshore book has him 4th choice at 11-1 odds.
Conclusion
The Puma is a live longshot in the Kentucky Derby. His form and last prep are eerily similar to Mage. Mage was able to move forward in the Kentucky Derby off of his Florida prep race and I expect The Puma to move forward as well. The Puma figures to sit in the second flight of horses behind the speed of the race. He and Further Ado should have a pace edge at the top of the stretch as 2 of the other 3 top choices have a closing running style. The Puma should get first jump and we will see if he can roar past them between the quarter and the eighth pole.
