Delgado Looks to The Puma to End G1 Curlin Florida Derby Seconditis

Trainer Gustavo Delgado will seek to shake a case of second-itis Saturday at Gulfstream Park when he saddles OGMA Investments LLC, JR Racing and High Step Racing LLC’s The Puma for a start in the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa.

The veteran trainer, a legend in his native Venezuela before venturing to the U.S., came close to winning the Curlin Florida Derby three times but had to settle for second with Majesto (2016), Bodexpress (2019) and Mage (2023).

Coming off a rousing victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), The Puma has been rated fourth on the morning line at 9-2 for the 75th running of the Curlin Florida Derby that will headline a star-studded 14-race program with 10 stakes, five graded, with purses totaling $2.675 million. The 3-year-old son of Essential Quality will try to turn the tables on Chief Wallabee, the 2-1 morning line favorite who defeated him in his career debut at Gulfstream Jan. 10.

“It’s going to be exciting to see him facing these horses, Chief Wallabee again, and all the other horses. It’s also going to be exciting because it’s the Florida Derby. It’s home,” said Gustavo Delgado Jr., who serves as his father’s assistant. “We’ve had three seconds in the race, but we’re going to keep trying. Who knows? Maybe it’s time.”

Majesto finished second behind Nyquist, who went on to capture the Kentucky Derby (G1). Bodexpress, a 71-1 longshot, couldn’t catch Maximum Security, who followed up with a front-running first-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, only to be disqualified. Mage finished second behind heavily favored Forte before going on to put the Delgados into the Churchill Downs winner’s circle with a rallying upset victory in the Kentucky Derby.

The Puma, a $150,000 purchase at the 2025 OBS April sale, followed up his runner-up finish to Chief Wallabee in his debut with a disappointing third in the Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs before breaking his maiden in the Tampa Bay Derby.