THE PUMA (c, 3, Essential Quality–Eve of War, by Declaration of War) out-hustled 2-1 favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Further Ado (Gun Runner) to the line to break his maiden in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby Saturday and become his sire's first graded stakes winner.Stuck outside and in the back for much of the running, the 7-1 shot began a big move into the far turn and was widest of a four-horse calvary charge into the stretch. Early leader Redland Rebels (Uncle Chuck) was the first to give way along the rail followed by 'Rising Star' Canaletto (Into Mischief) who was in a tricky spot between horses.That left The Puma and Further Ado, who was making his first start since winning the GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in November, to battle it out into the final sixteenth with the Gustavo Delgado trainee out-finishing the favorite to spring the upset.The win netted The Puma 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-1.O-OGMA Investments LLC, JR Ranch and High Step Racing LLC; B-Hidden Brook Farm & Brian Kahn; T-Gustavo Delgado. Sales History: $95,000 RNA ylg '24 KEESEP, $150,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. THE PUMA Our Tampa Bay Derby winner @jjcjockey @GustavoJDelgado @LlcOgma @JRRanch1802 @HStepRacing @HiddenBrookKy @MarqueeAgency @RamiroRestrepo pic.twitter.com/qjBTfNuhmG— Gustavo Delgado S (@GDS_Racing) March 7, 2026The post Cat Call: The Puma A Maiden No More In Tampa Bay Derby Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.