Bob Baffert’s Potente Takes the Win at San Felipe Stakes in Santa Anita

Potente Triumphs in San Felipe Stakes

In a surprising turn of events just two days before Saturday’s San Felipe Stakes, trainer Bob Baffert expressed uncertainty about entering the colt Potente in the prestigious Grade 2 race. The decision stemmed from a lack of alternative options at Santa Anita Park.

"I’m throwing him in there in the deep end of the pool," Baffert remarked. “You just need to get races into these horses, and that’s what we’re doing. We’ll see what happens.”

It appears Potente has proven to be quite adept in this environment. The colt, sired by Into Mischief and purchased for $2.4 million as a yearling, navigated the 1 1/16-mile race effectively, managing to clinch victory by a narrow head over the 67-1 long shot Robusta, ridden by Juan Hernandez.

This race marked just Potente’s second career start, having previously won a six-furlong contest on January 31 at Santa Anita. Reflecting on the challenge, Baffert commented, "It was asking a lot. When he broke his maiden, he really didn’t run that fast, but [Kazushi] Kimura, who rode him, said he wants to go long… I knew there was going to be a fast pace because there always is in these races. For him to pull it off, that was so exciting.”

The pace was indeed brisk, with Baffert’s favorite, Brant, returning after a four-month layoff, and So Happy pushing through six furlongs in a swift 1 minute, 10.42 seconds. However, both horses faded in the stretch, with So Happy finishing third, 2 1/2 lengths behind, and Brant coming in fifth, seven lengths back. Despite taking the lead in the upper stretch, Robusta could not maintain his position against Potente’s late charge.

Hernandez, who celebrated his 34th birthday with the win, noted Potente’s potential: "This horse has a lot of talent. He’s big, he’s strong, and he showed up today… I think he’s going to be even better next time."

Potente’s victory paid $18.20 as the 8-1 fourth choice in the field of seven, completing the distance in 1:42.92. This time was slightly slower than last year’s San Felipe win by Journalism, who subsequently triumphed in the Santa Anita Derby and Preakness. With this win, Potente earned 50 Kentucky Derby points, significantly enhancing his chances for a spot at Churchill Downs. Baffert indicated that Potente would compete once more before the Derby, potentially in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

Doug O’Neill, trainer of Robusta, confirmed his colt would also be entering the Santa Anita Derby next.

The San Felipe Stakes was not the only Derby prep race that day, nor the only one with unexpected results. At Tampa Bay Downs, The Puma, who had failed to win in his previous two starts, surprised fans by capturing the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby at 7-1 odds, edging out top choices Further Ado and Canaletto. The Puma, a son of Essential Quality, completed the race in 1:43.23 with Javier Castellano aboard.

At Santa Anita, British Isles secured his first stakes win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, beating competitors Vodka Vodka and Getaway Car. Ridden by Diego Herrera, British Isles returned $16.40 after the race, which lasted 2:05.17 over 1 1/4 miles.

Baffert and Hernandez continued their winning streak, taking the Grade 1 B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile with Splendora, who won decisively, completing the mile in 1:35.16. Hernandez attributed their success to Baffert’s guidance, stating, “Bob just told me, ‘Don’t look back and just run.’ That is what we did.”

The day was marked by Hernandez’s impressive performance, earning him multiple victories on the card, including a win in the Grade 2 Frank E. Kilroe Mile aboard Final Boss, who triumphed at long odds of 31-1.

In another noteworthy moment, Surfin’ U.S.A., a 3-year-old filly owned by Times sportswriter Eric Sondheimer and Barry Siegel, celebrated a victory in an $80,000 optional claiming race, reinforcing the day’s surprises at Santa Anita.