Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano was 0-for-15 in the Kentucky Derby (G1) before he rode Mage to victory in 2023 for trainer Gustavo Delgado, Sr. Once again Castellano will be aboard a Delgado-trainee -- The Puma -- in the Run for the Roses and the combo, along with a similar ownership group, are pumped about The Puma’s chances even though he has only one victory. But after he was nailed at the wire by Commandment in the Florida Derby (G1), the Essential Quality colt’s stock rose.
When Gustavo Delgado brought Mage to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) with a 1-for-3 record, few bettors took the inexperienced colt seriously, which is why he went off at odds of 15-1. When he came from 16th early in the race to win it, it was sweet vindication for the Venezuelan trainer. He's back with a colt who also has only one career win, although it did come in a Grade 3, and The Puma should get a lot more respect and betting action.
After coming from far back to break his maiden in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), The Puma proved it wasn't a fluke with a nose defeat in the Florida Derby (G1) against Commandment, who will be among the favorites on May 2.
The colt is named for his trainer.
“We call my dad The Puma all the time,” assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said. “It's a good thing that the horse turned out to be a graded stakes winner going to the Derby. He could have turned out to be a $5,000 claimer.”
Like his namesake in the animal kingdom, an agile, powerful mountain lion who pounces on his prey, The Puma does his best work at the finish. His late-pace figures and running style should serve him well in the Derby, especially if there's a quick pace.
It's the fifth time in 10 years that the Delgados have brought a horse to the Derby, an impressive feat for a small barn.
“The main thing for us is we want to get to the Kentucky Derby,” Delgado Jr. said. “It's very hard to do, especially with the kind of operation we have. We don't get good horses sent to us. Sometimes we have to go to the sales, scout the horses, and invest our own money.”
Mage helped them write an uplifting underdog story, and maybe The Puma can produce an encore. Difficult, but far from impossible.
The Puma has an Equibase rating of 91, in the second tier of Derby contenders. His top Equibase speed figure is 97 from the Florida Derby.
The Puma has the looks and resume of a serious contender. His odds will be generous, and he gives the impression he has room to improve. Play him to win and place and include in any exotic plays.
- Before coming to Florida, Delgado was the leading trainer three times in Venezuela.
- The Puma’s first workout since the Florida Derby was a slow half-mile breeze (52.32 seconds) on April 11 at Gulfstream Park.
- His $150,000 price as a yearling was a bargain; after only four starts he’s earned nearly three times that.
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
