The Puma rallied from last under Javier Castellano to overhaul morning line favorite Further Ado in deep stretch to win the $400,000 G3 Tampa Bay Derby by three-quarters of a length on Saturday, March 7.
The lightly raced chestnut colt by Essential Quality, who entered the contest still searching for his first victory, not only earned that win, but also became the first Graded Stakes winner for his sire.
Stuck outside and in the back for much of the running, the The Puma began a big move into the far turn and was widest of a four-horse calvary charge heading into the stretch. Early leader Redland Rebels was the first to give way along the rail followed by Canaletto, who was caught in tight quarters between Further Ado to his inside and The Puma on his outside.
The Puma and Further Ado, who was making his first start since winning the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in November, edged ahead of Canaletto in deep stretch and battled it out to the wire, with The Puma getting the victory. The win netted The Puma 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Bred in Kentucky by Hidden Brook Farm and Brian Kahn, The Puma was purchased by his current connections for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale of 2-year-olds in training. The Puma is out of Eve of War, a Graded Stakes-placed daughter of Declaration of War and is from the immediate family of multiple Graded Stakes winner, Bedanken.
Two-time Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality was represented by 19 winners in his first crop, including three Stakes winners. In addition to The Puma, Essential Quality is the sire of 2026 Stakes winners My World (Jerome Stakes) and Black Hornet (Black Gold Stakes).
Essential Quality is standing the 2026 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for a fee of $25,000, stands and nurses.
