The Puma, Gustavo Delgado's contender to win the Florida Derby

After finishing second with Majesto (2016), Bodexpress (2019), and Mage (2023), he will try to break the curse

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).— Trainer Gustavo Delgado will seek to break a streak of second-place finishes in the Florida Derby (G1) this Saturday at Gulfstream Park when he sends out The Puma, the color bearer for OGMA Investments LLC, JR Racing, and High Step Racing LLC.

The professional, a legend in his native Venezuela before venturing to the United States, has come close to winning the Curlin Florida Derby on three occasions, only to settle for the runner-up spot with Majesto (Tiznow, 2016), Bodexpress (Bodemeister, 2019), and Mage (Good Magic, 2023).

Following a commanding victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), The Puma is quoted fourth in the morning line at 9-2 for the 75th edition of the Curlin Florida Derby, which headlines a stellar 14-race program featuring 10 stakes—5 of them graded—and total purses of 2,675,000 dollars. The son of Essential Quality will attempt to exact revenge on Chief Wallabee (Constitution), the 2-1 favorite who defeated him in his Gulfstream debut on January 10.

"It’s going to be exciting to see him face these horses, Chief Wallabee again, and everyone else. It’s also special because it’s the Florida Derby. It’s our home," commented Gustavo Delgado Jr., who serves as his father's assistant. "We had three seconds in this race, but we’re going to keep trying. Who knows, maybe it’s the time."

Majesto finished second behind Nyquist (Uncle Mo), who would go on to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). Bodexpress, a 71-1 longshot, could not catch Maximum Security (New Year's Day), who also crossed the wire first in the Kentucky Derby before being disqualified. For his part, Mage chased home the heavy favorite Forte (Violence) before leading the Delgados to the Churchill Downs winner's circle with a triumphant closing run in the Run for the Roses.

The Puma, a 150,000 dollar purchase at the 2025 OBS April sale, followed his debut second to Chief Wallabee with a somewhat disappointing third in the Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs, before breaking his maiden directly in the Tampa Bay Derby.

"We always liked the horse. From the beginning, we thought he was very talented and smart. More importantly, we liked the value; we got him at the OBS sale last year and thought he was a great buy based on physique, mind, and pedigree," noted Delgado Jr.

"Once he put in a few breezes, he started showing a great disposition, which is why we took our time and didn't run him at 2. We wanted to give him a good foundation, which is what we do when we have a horse we believe can campaign in these types of races."

Mage, who won the Kentucky Derby in just his fourth start, and The Puma share similarities according to Delgado Jr.: "I would say they both have a good mind and disposition. At this stage, both were lightly raced. We’ll have one more race with The Puma on the way to the Derby, but both were on that January-to-May schedule. We’ve discovered that both like to come from behind; they are more effective that way. And both are chestnuts."

Hall of Fame jockey and fellow Venezuelan Javier Castellano, who guided Mage to glory in the Kentucky Derby, will be in charge of riding The Puma.