The Puma horse, trainer, jockey for 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic

The Puma is among the horses expected to run in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.The post-position draw for the Breeders’ Cup is set for Monday, Oct. 26. Post time for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is set for 6:16 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.The Puma will enter the Breeders’ Cup Classic off a victory in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19 at Parx Racing.The PumaAge: 3.Color: Chestnut.Bred in: Kentucky.Sire: Essential Quality.Dam: Eve of War, by Declaration of War.Price tag: $150,000 at 2025 Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.Owners: OGMA Investments (Gustavo Delgado); Saleh Al Otaibi; TTC Stables (Michael Iavarone, Jules Iavaraone, Ira Rothblut); YNG Stables; JR Ranch (Ramiro Restrepo); High Step Racing (Randy Guy, Joe Noble, Kevin Avera, Jim Ferreira, Todd Perry).Trainer: Gustavo Delgado.Jockey: Javier Castellano.Record: 2-2-1 in seven starts.Career earnings: $1,122,280Record at Keeneland: First start.Previous Breeders’ Cup races: None.Last race: Won Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19 at Parx Racing.Running style: Stalker.Notes: The Puma did not race as a 2-year-old. After finishing second in the Florida Derby, The Puma was considered among the favorites for the Kentucky Derby but was scratched the morning of the race because of a skin infection. … The Puma returned to racing in July, finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Haskell, and also finished fourth in the Grade 1 Travers before winning the Pennsylvania Derby. … Gustavo Delgado is nicknamed “El Puma” because of his resemblance to Venezuelan singer Jose Luis Rodriguez Gonzalez, who has the same nickname. That’s where the horse got his name.What they’re saying: “It’s been a long ride,” co-owner Randy Guy said after the Pennsylvania Derby. “We scratched on the day of the (Kentucky) Derby, and it was frustrating. I know he got fourth in the Haskell. The Travers? That was a loaded field. He was running good. I was not overconfident coming here, but I knew he had that performance in him.”Jason Frakes: (502) 582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: The Puma horse, trainer, jockey for 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic