Tampa Bay Derby
Tampa Bay and San Felipe Upsets Shake Up 2026 Kentucky Derby Trail
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Long shots The Puma (Tampa Bay Derby) and Potente (San Felipe Stakes) stunned favorites on March 9, each earning 50 points and vaulting into contention on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard amid a wide-open trail.
The Puma won the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, defeating Further Ado and Canaletto in a performance that highlights his potential for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs. The victory flatters other contenders like Renegade, who previously excelled in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. Meanwhile, Potente took the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, though observers question its strength as a Derby indicator.
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The Puma surged from off the pace as a 7.40-1 longshot to win the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby by three-quarters of a length at Tampa Bay Downs, earning 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points and climbing to second on the leaderboard with 56 total after a prior third in the Sam Davis Stakes. Trained by Gustavo Delgado Sr., the colt shares ownership connections with 2023 Derby winner Mage.