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.
Continuing coverage of the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby (see prior article on The Puma's Tampa Bay Derby win), relative long shots delivered back-to-back surprises in key preps.
In the $400,000 Grade III Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs—as detailed in our dedicated report—The Puma (Essential Quality colt, trained by Gustavo Delgado Sr.) rallied from the back to win by 3/4 length over Further Ado, with favorite Canaletto third. Racing manager Ramiro Restrepo noted post-race optimism: "He came back fine. So far, so good. Everything is a positive."
Meanwhile, at Santa Anita Park, the $400,000 Grade II San Felipe Stakes saw Potente, an Into Mischief colt trained by Bob Baffert in just his second start, close from off the pace to edge 67-1 long shot Robusta by a head over 1 1/16 miles. Stablemate Brant, the 4-5 favorite, tired to fifth after setting a hot pace.
Baffert reflected: "I knew the pace was going to be hot. I think Brant was a work away from this race. He got tired. Potente is bred to go that far. He was ready for that. ... We're moving forward with Potente. He'll have another start before the Kentucky Derby."
Leaderboard Impact: These results reshaped standings. The Puma added 50 points to his prior six for 56 total, tying for second behind Paladin. Potente debuted with 50 (tied seventh). Further Ado gained 25 for second (top 10 with 35 total), and Robusta entered top 15. No clear favorite yet, with international preps pending.
Futures odds shifted: The Puma 66-1 to 22-1; Potente 35-1 to 20-1; Brant to 40-1; Further Ado to 28-1; Canaletto to 30-1 (Caesars Sportsbook).