Iavarones buy into ownership of The Puma
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Michael and Jules Iavarone and Ira Rothblut’s TCC Stables have acquired an interest in Kentucky Derby contender The Puma. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed at this time.
Both Iavarone and The Puma’s team, led by trainer Gustavo Delgado and his son Gustavo Jr., will both be seeking their second Derby victories. Iavarone won the Derby in 2008 with Big Brown, the Delgados three years ago with Mage.
Iavarone had been offered an opportunity to buy into Mage in 2003 but passed. He made it clear that he would not make that mistake again.
“The Delgados and Ramiro [Restrepo] have shown an extraordinary ability to consistently find top-level horses and get the most of them,” Iavarone said in a press release announcing the purchase on Thursday. “It’s a recurring theme and we are honored to be part of this horse.”
Ramiro Restrepo acted as bloodstock agent in the purchase of both Mage and The Puma.
The Puma is considered among the leading contenders for this year’s Kentucky Derby coming off his victory in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby and heartbreaking second-place finish when beaten a nose by Commandment in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
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