Connections weigh options for start of The Puma's 2027 campaign
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Despite turning in one of the more notable performances on racing’s biggest stage at this year’s Breeders’ Cup, The Puma returned to his winter home at Gulfstream Park without fanfare and in relative anonymity last week. He is quietly ready to begin preparations for what his connections hope will be an even bigger and better season as a 4-year-old in 2027.
The Puma rallied from near the rear of the field to finish second, beaten less than two lengths by reigning Horse of the Year Sovereinty, in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He earned a career-best 107 Beyer Speed Figure while closing a 3-year-old campaign in which he also captured the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and finished second, beaten just a nose, in the Grade 1 Florida Derby here last spring.
The Puma spent an easy first week back on the local scene, according to Gustavo Delgado Jr., son of trainer Gustavo Delgado, and was scheduled to return to the track to resume light training Wednesday. His first goal of the new year will be either the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational here Jan. 30 or the $20 million Saudi Cup the following weekend.
“He definitely stepped up in his last two races, came back out of the Classic in good form, and we’re very excited about his prospects in 2027,” the younger Delgado said. “The Pegasus and Saudi Cup are our two options. Whichever one we ultimately choose, the plan is to train him up to the race. He will not have a prep.”
Looking back on the past season, Delgado said having to scratch The Puma out of the Kentucky Derby on the morning of the race was a major disappointment. However, he believes the subsequent time off might ultimately have proven to be a blessing in disguise.
“We were looking forward to running in the Derby because he seemed to be going into the race with good momentum,” Delgado noted. “But we also understand that things happen for a reason and maybe that reset through the middle of the year paved the way for the success he had at the end. The addition of blinkers in his last two starts was obviously a major factor, as was the way he moved forward, as we’d hoped, with experience and maturity in his third and fourth starts after the earlier layoff.”
Delgado said he thought the fact The Puma, who went postward at odds of 18-1, bobbled slightly at the break likely cost him any chance of upsetting Sovereignty in the Classic.
“We had in mind a scenario where we would be in front of Sovereignty down the backstretch. Instead, we found ourselves a couple of lengths behind him, and those two lengths were really hard to overcome against a horse of that caliber,” Delgado said. “Our horse really stepped up and ran his best, but we knew if [Sovereignty] brought his ‘A’ game he’d be hard to beat. And he did. What is encouraging is knowing we don’t have to see him again.”
With many of the leading members of the handicap division, including Sovereignty, Magnitude, and Knightsbridge, all having been retired, Delgado acknowledges there is plenty of room at the top for a horse like The Puma to take their place in 2027.
“Hopefully, with one major win, we can step up and be the new kid on the block next year,” Delgado said.
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