After breaking his maiden in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby in March, The Puma (c, 3, Essential Quality–Eve of War, by Declaration of War) has repeatedly knocked heads with the big guns of the sophomore division and finally saw that persistence pay off Saturday in the $1-million GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. The chestnut bided his time third from last outside of horses as fractions up front were steady at :23.27 and :47.69. As favored 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Further Ado (Gun Runner) threatened the frontrunners from an inside fourth throughout, The Puma caught the eye with a huge move on the turn. He engaged with late leader Sassmaster (Curlin) briefly before sprinting clear in the lane. Further Ado got within a half-length, but couldn't catch the winner. Sassmaster held for third as The Puma got the nine furlongs in 1:49.10.After his Tampa Bay Derby win, The Puma pushed Commandment (Into Mischief) to a nose in the GI Florida Derby, then had to sit out the GI Kentucky Derby due to a poorly timed swelling in a leg due to a skin infection. On return, he finished fourth in both the GI Haskell Stakes and GI Travers Stakes. The Puma was wearing blinkers in the Pennsylvania Derby for the first time after rider Javier Castellano recommended them to trainer Gustavo Delgado.Sales History: $95,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 7-2-2-1.O-OGMA Investments LLC, High Step Racing LLC, TCC Stables LLC, YNG Stables LLC and JR Ranch; B-Hidden Brook Farm & Brian Kahn (KY); T-Gustavo Delgado; J-Javier Castellano.THE PUMA gets it done in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1)!The son of @darleyamerica Essential Quality was ridden by @jjcjockey for trainer @GDS_Racing. Did you have him? pic.twitter.com/XJ7fPVbUDr— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 19, 2026Saturday, Parx RacingPENNSYLVANIA DERBY-GI, $1,000,000, Parx Racing, 9-19, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:49.10, ft.1–THE PUMA, 124, c, 3, by Essential Quality 1st Dam: Eve of War (GSP), by Declaration of War 2nd Dam: Special Thanks, by Broken Vow 3rd Dam: Bedanken, by Geri1ST GRADE I WIN. ($95,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $150,0002yo '25 OBSAPR). O-OGMA Investments LLC, High StepRacing, TCC Stables LLC, YNG Stables LLC and JR Ranch;B-Hidden Brook Farm & Brian Kahn (KY); T-Gustavo Delgado;J-Javier Castellano. $555,000. Lifetime Record: 7-2-2-1,$1,122,280. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the freeEquineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Further Ado, 126, c, 3, Gun Runner–Sky Dreamer, by SkyMesa. ($275,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR).O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-John C. Oxley (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.$185,000. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'3–Sassmaster, 122, c, 3, Curlin–Sass and Class, by Harlan'sHoliday. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1BLACK TYPE. ($550,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). O-Mark D. Breen;B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Todd A.Pletcher. $92,500.Margins: HF, 1HF, 3HF. Odds: 2.70, 2.00, 7.40.Also Ran: Our Moneyman, Igniter, Talk to Me Jimmy, Iron Honor, Freedom's Echo, Micanopy, Ponder and Dream. Scratched: Zihnal.Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel Racing. The post The Puma Pounces in Pennsylvania Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.