The Puma, a 3-year-old colt owned by OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing, has secured a spot in the 2024 Kentucky Derby after winning the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 7. Trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, The Puma overcame a wide trip and rallied from last place to win by three-quarters of a length over favorites Further Ado and Canaletto. This victory, combined with points earned in the Sam F. Davis Stakes, gives The Puma 56 qualifying points, placing him second on the Derby leaderboard behind Paladin.
Bred in Kentucky by Hidden Brook Farm and Brian Kahn, The Puma is sired by Essential Quality, a notable second-crop sire standing at Darley for $25,000. The colt was purchased for $150,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Despite being a maiden before the Tampa Bay Derby, The Puma showed promise in earlier races and delivered his best performance yet on a fast but dampened track. His connections are excited about his Derby prospects, with the Tampa Bay Derby historically producing two Derby winners, Street Sense (2007) and Super Saver (2010).
