The Blue Grass Could Be Next for The Puma

The Puma Pounces in Tampa Bay Derby to Lead Stakes-Winning OBS Grads

OGMA Investments, JR Ranch and High Step Racing, LLC’s The Puma (Essential Quality- Eve of War, by Declaration of War) stalked and pounced in the lane to capture the Grade 3, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs on March 7, earning 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week. The Puma wins the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs. (SV Photography) Fellow OBS grad Further Ad…

The Blue Grass Could Be Next for The Puma

The Puma (Essential Quality) returned to his base at Gulfstream Park early Sunday morning after his win a day earlier in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, and his connections reported that he came out of the race in good order. Though no firm plans have been made regarding his future schedule, Gustavo Delgado Jr., who is the assistant trainer to and son of trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr., said the GI April 4 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland is one option the …

The Puma pounces at Tampa Bay, next move on the prowl

The Puma will get an easy week before trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr. decides whether to make another start ahead of the Kentucky Derby or train straight up to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The son of multiple Grade 1 winner and two-time Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality earned 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points with his victory in Saturday's Grade 3, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, going from maiden to graded stak…