Potente

Potente began his career as a 3-year-old and won his career debut outing going six furlongs on Jan. 31, 2026, at Santa Anita Park after being sent off as the 3-5 favorite. Potente wasted no time going up in class to face stakes company in his second lifetime start in the Grade 2 $200,000 San Felipe Stakes presented by DK Horse going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on March 7. Sent off as the 8-1 odds fourth-choice on the tote board in a seven-horse field in the San Felipe, Potente sat off the pace chasing fast fractions set by heavy favorite Brant and came with a closing rally in the stretch to pass horses and used a late surge to get past leading longshot Robusta to get the victory. The San Felipe was a points race on the road to the Kentucky Derby, and with his victory Potente earned 50 qualifying points.

Potente made his next start in the Grade 1 $500,000 Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles on April 4 as the 6-5 favorite on the tote board in a seven-horse field. Potente battled back and forth for the lead most of the race, KO'd pace challenger Robusta, and then took on the challenge of So Happy through mid-stretch until settling for a clear second behind So Happy, beaten 2 3/4 lengths. The runner-up finish was enough for 50 more qualifying points for a total of 100 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. 

Potente is trained by Bob Baffert. He was bred in Kentucky by the sire Into Mischief out of the dam Sweet Sting by Awesome Again.