Friday works: 35 graded winners include Travers-bound The Puma

Trainer Gustavo Delgado sat under the shade of a tree at his barn on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga on Friday, as relaxed as his prized colt The Puma has been since arriving in upstate New York in late July.

The coppery chestnut cooled out on the walking ring in front of him, moments after NYRA clockers caught him breezing five furlongs in 59.8 seconds over the main track in preparation for the Travers (G1) on August 29.

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With Hall of Famer Javier Castellano up, the son of Essential Quality worked solo shortly after the conclusion of the 8:00 renovation break, posting his second local breeze since a fourth in the Haskell (G1) on July 18 at Monmouth Park. Last week, he covered the same distance in 1:02.16.

“This work was very important for us,” Delgado said. “He looked very good. I am happy with the work, and Castellano is, too. He’s happy here at Saratoga. He was very fast, but he did it easy.”

Delgado said he had initially planned to work his other Saratoga trainee, Racing Driver, in company with The Puma, but decided against it when considering the latter’s sharpness.

“We were going to bring the other horse for company, but it wasn’t necessary. Can you imagine him with company – too fast today,” Delgado said, with a laugh. “Castellano and me decided no company today, because the way he’s galloping, he’s showing us he’s happy. You put him in company, he’d go in 56.”

It’s been a long year for the popular colt, who has never quite had the chance to settle into his surroundings in the lead-up to his races away from home. He debuted with a runner-up effort in January at his base of Gulfstream Park, ahead of back-and-forth travels to Tampa Bay Downs for a third in the Sam F. Davis in February and a stylish graduation in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in March before staying home for a heartbreaking nose defeat to Commandment just three weeks later in the Florida Derby (G1).

A trip to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby in May ended with him scratched from the marquee event due to leg swelling from a skin infection, and it was back to Gulfstream to prepare for the Haskell, where he shipped in just a few days ahead of his fourth-place effort behind the victorious Baby Vino after an inside trip under Castellano.

The Haskell came with unique, unavoidable circumstances surrounding it, with smoke from wildfires in Canada and race-day rain making for difficult training and racing conditions. Now turning his attention to the Travers, Delgado is hopeful things will be different this time as The Puma has been able to make himself at home at the Spa with smoother sailing in his preparations.

“He started off at Gulfstream, then goes to Tampa, back to Gulfstream, back and forth,” Delgado explained. “Then, after I thought he won the Florida Derby, he goes to the Kentucky Derby and scratched. Travel, travel, and more travel. Then there was all the smoke from the fires in Canada before the Haskell. The day of the Haskell, there was too much rain and the inside was very bad. So, we come out of there, it’s a short trip to Saratoga, and he’s happy here and can relax. The weather is very good for him here, no shipping and no traveling.”

Campaigned by JR Ranch, Marquee Bloodstock, High Step Racing and OGMA Investments, The Puma brings Delgado back to the Travers three years after his Kentucky Derby winner Mage contested the prestigious 1 1/4-mile test for sophomores and finished seventh to conclude his career.

The Puma was a $150,000 purchase at the OBS spring sale of 2-year-olds in training and is out of the Grade 3-placed Declaration of War mare Eve of War.

These 35 graded-stakes winners worked across the country Friday morning:

Book'em Danno (Bucchero), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 Forego, 2024 Woody Stephens), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Monmouth Park on Friday morning. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Monmouth Park. In his last start, he won the Mr. Prospector going six furlongs on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 17 for trainer Derek Ryan.

Carson's Run (Cupid), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Saratoga Derby Invitational), worked four furlongs in 51.6 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 42nd fastest of 48 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed fifth in the Bowling Green (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 11 for trainer Miguel Clement.

Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 Turf Classic, 2025 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational), worked four furlongs in 49.7 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 27th fastest of 33 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed third in an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 23 for trainer Chad Brown.

Eclatant (Into Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2026 Madison), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 30 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she won the Chicago (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 20 for trainer Brad Cox.

Englishman (Maxfield), a Grade 1 winner (2026 Woody Stephens), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 26th fastest of 49 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start, he won the Woody Stephens (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Kentucky Oaks), worked five furlongs in 59.4 seconds at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of 30 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she won the Iowa Distaff going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Prairie Meadows on July 10 for trainer Brad Cox.

Lush Lips (Ten Sovereigns), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Turfway Park on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of 12 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Turfway Park. In her last start, she won the Honey Fox (G3) going one mile on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

R Disaster (Awesome Slew), a Grade 1 winner (2026 Derby City Distaff), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 113 works at the distance. Her previous work was 17 days ago going three furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she won the Derby City Distaff (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 2 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Renegade (Into Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2026 Arkansas Derby), worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 98th fastest of 113 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the Jim Dandy (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 1 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Salamis (Speightstown), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Hollywood Derby), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 33 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he won an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 23 for trainer Chad Brown.

Call Sign Seven (Speightstown), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Seabiscuit Handicap), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the 33rd fastest of 89 works at the distance. His previous work was 181 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Capture the Flag (Quality Road), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Mac Diarmida), worked four furlongs in 50.5 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 94th fastest of 113 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed sixth in an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 23 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Desvio (Yoshida), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Sycamore), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Fair Hill on Friday morning. It was the faster of two works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going five furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start, he placed fourth in the Bowling Green (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 11 for trainer Madison Meyers.

Local Knowledge (Yaupon), a Grade 2 winner (2026 Amsterdam), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 90th fastest of 113 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the Amsterdam (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 31 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Maida (Improbable), a Grade 2 winner (2026 Honorable Miss), worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Laurel Park on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 12 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start, she won the Honorable Miss (G2) going six furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 26 for trainer Brittany Russell.

Margie's Intention (Honor A. P.), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Black-Eyed Susan), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 30 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she won the Allaire DuPont Distaff going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Laurel Park on May 15 for trainer Brad Cox.

Mi Hermano Ramon (Creative Cause), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Seabiscuit Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 35 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Eddie Read (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Del Mar on July 26 for trainer Mark Glatt.

Supercharger (Constitution), a Grade 2 winner (2026 Secretariat), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 33 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the Secretariat (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 1 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Knightsbridge (Nyquist), a four-time Grade 3 winner, worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the slowest of three works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he won the Monmouth Cup (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 18 for trainer Bill Mott.

Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Zuma Beach, 2022 Del Mar Juvenile Turf), worked five furlongs in 58.8 seconds at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 35 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start, he won an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Del Mar on July 18 for trainer John Sadler.

Yes I Am Free (Uncaptured), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, 2022 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint), worked three furlongs in 37.2 seconds at Mountaineer on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of six works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed fifth in an allowance race going five furlongs on the main track at Mountaineer on June 28 for trainer Jeff Fletcher.

Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Gazelle), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 91st fastest of 113 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she placed 10th in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 2 for trainer Chad Brown.

Big City Lights (Mr. Big), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Palos Verdes), worked six furlongs in 1:15.2 at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the only works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start, he won the Thor's Echo going six furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on May 23 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Bullard (Gun Runner), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Bob Hope), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 30 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he placed second in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Prairie Meadows on July 11 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Deep Flame (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2026 Maxfield), worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 30 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he won the Maxfield (G3) going seven furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Brad Cox.

Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Best Pal), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 89 works at the distance. His previous work was 14 days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start, he placed fourth in the Iowa Derby going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Prairie Meadows on July 11 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Governor Sam (Improbable), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Quick Call), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 48 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed third in the Van Clief going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 1 for trainer George Weaver.

Layabout (Laoban), a Grade 3 winner (2026 William L. McKnight), worked six furlongs in 1:18.2 on turf at Palm Meadows on Friday morning. It was the fastest of four works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed fourth in the Arlington Million (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 1 for trainer Patrick Biancone.

Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution), a Grade 3 winner (2026 Delaware Oaks), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Delaware Park on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 31 works at the distance. Her previous work was 14 days ago going four furlongs at Delaware Park. In her last start, she won the Delaware Oaks (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Delaware Park on June 13 for trainer Michael Stidham.

No Mo Candy (Uncle Mo), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Pebbles), worked three furlongs in 37.0 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of eight works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she placed 10th in the Ladies Marathon Invitational (G3) going 1 5/16 miles on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Pass the Hat (Collected), a Grade 3 winner (2026 Poker), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 39 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he placed third in the Kelso (G3) going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on July 5 for trainer Bill Mott.

Scalable (Speightstown), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Monmouth Oaks), worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 70th fastest of 113 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she placed fourth in the Molly Pitcher (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 18 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Taking Candy (Twirling Candy), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Fair Grounds), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 33 works at the distance. His previous work was 24 days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start, he placed second in the River City (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 8 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

The Puma (Essential Quality), a Grade 3 winner (2026 Tampa Bay Derby), worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed fourth in the Haskell (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 18 for trainer Gustavo Delgado.

West Hollywood (Uncle Mo), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Saranac), worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed fourth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 19 for trainer Brad Cox.