ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Renowned Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has unveiled another promising 3-year-old colt in his stable. Potente made an impressive debut on Saturday at Santa Anita, winning the $70,000 opener by three-quarters of a length while leading from start to finish.
Purchased by Saratoga’s Speedway Stables for $2.4 million in August 2024, Potente was the second-highest priced horse at the yearling sale. With jockey Kazushi Kimura aboard, Potente completed six furlongs in 1:10.65, paid $3.20, and entered the race as the favorite, carrying a record of three wins and five losses.
“His class showed up and they were ready to go,” said Baffert. “He’s a beautiful horse.” Captain Shreve finished second, while Deep Tracks—a horse that sold for $1 million at auction—claimed third place.
Baffert currently boasts two stallions ranked in the top 20 on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, which determines eligibility for May’s Kentucky Derby. The qualifying threshold was third place, with Brandt positioned at 16th.
The field was narrowed to five runners after three Baffert-trained horses—Crude Velocity, Duntov, and Ruler of Law—were sidelined due to injuries as per veterinary orders.
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Fan Take: For horse racing enthusiasts, Potente’s strong debut under Bob Baffert’s guidance signals exciting new talent on the horizon for one of the sport’s icons. This development not only adds intrigue to the upcoming Derby season but also highlights the evolving competition shaping the future of Thoroughbred racing.
