Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Potente

Mar 10, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Potente and jockey Juan Hernandez win the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Speedway Stable’s three-year-old colt named Potente moved his career mark to two-for-two and also picked up 50 points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series after winning the $201,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita on March 7. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and ridden by Juan Hernandez, the winner got up in the final jumps to post a head victory and complete 1 1/16 miles in a solid 1:42.92.

Also picking up Derby qualifying points were Robusta, So Happy, Secured Freedom, and Brant, who received points on a 25-15-10-5 basis.

“This horse has a lot of talent,” Hernandez said of the winner. “He’s big, he’s strong, and he showed up today. As we turned for home, I swung out a little bit, and it took me a little while to get going, because, like I said, he’s very big. But man, he’s a really, really nice horse. It’s only his second start, and he’s improving. I think he’s going to be even better next time.”

Potente began his career at Santa Anita on Jan. 31 and led at every call in posting a game win while traveling six furlongs on the dirt. He has banked $162,000 from his two starts to date.

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Pam and Marty Wygod and was purchased for a whopping $2.4 million as a yearling at Saratoga in 2024. He is the first Kentucky Derby contender produced from the stakes-placed Awesome Again mare Sweet Sting. His second dam is champion and $2.2 million earner Perfect Sting, who was victorious in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1).

Potente has recorded Brisnet Speed ratings of 90 and 97 from his pair of career runs to date. He has a pedigree that suggests that he will be capable of handling more ground on the Triple Crown Trail, and he will be a major runner this season if he continues to improve going forward, as well. The horse could make his next appearance in the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita on April 4.