El Potente claimed victory in the $100,000 Thunder Road (G3) for the second consecutive year, delivering a commanding front-running performance under jockey Hector Berrios over the one-mile Santa Anita turf course on Saturday.
Conditioned by Dan Blacker, El Potente set early fractions of 22.92 seconds and 46.67 seconds, pressured early on by Namarrone (5-1) with Florent Geroux in the saddle. Pushing the pace into the second turn, El Potente hit the quarter pole in 1:10.20 and sailed to a decisive 3 3/4-length triumph, never seriously challenged down the stretch. Gas Meup, the second choice trained by Peter Yulton with a record of 7 wins and 5 losses, rallied from last to finish second, ridden by Mirko DeMuro. They were followed by Watsonville (11-1), Lord Bullingdon (19-1), and Namarrone.
Berrios commented, “My ride was flawless. We set the pace, but when Namarrone pressured us, El Potente responded fiercely. I asked him coming into the turn, and he gave me everything. On the downhill stretch, he just took off.”
The 7-year-old colt by Temple City completed the mile in 1:33.49. Last year, he won the Thunder Road by three lengths in 1:32.40. Trainer Blacker noted, “At the highest level, he performs best at the mile distance, as he proved once again today. We expected him to return and defend his title, and he delivered.”
Owned by My Way Racing LLC, El Potente has competed in 17 races, earning more than $340,000 with a record of 7-2-3. He was bred in Florida by Charmsill LLC out of the Silver Charm mare Charmsills.
Blacker added, “He’s a horse that naturally improved as he matured, which is not always the case. We’ve been fortunate that his talent has continued to develop. Credit goes to his owner, Mike Way, who has been patient and allowed him the time to thrive. Right now, he’s an exceptional horse.”
This win marked the 600th North American victory for Berrios, a 38-year-old jockey from Chile. He remarked, “It’s a thrilling milestone. Moving here has been a great decision, and I aim to build on this success. My agent Michael Barnes and my trainer have been very supportive.”
El Potente paid $4.00 for the win.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on February 8, 2026.
Fan Take: El Potente’s back-to-back Thunder Road wins highlight the growing importance of seasoned turf specialists in competitive mile races. This consistency not only enriches the sport’s narrative but also inspires owners and trainers to invest in longevity and develop horses that peak with age, keeping fans engaged season after season.
