Kentucky Derby Prep Races: “El Potente” Strong Performance

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Kentucky Derby Prep Races Odds and News

“El Potente” Breaks Through with Thunder Road Stakes Victory

The Kentucky Derby Prep Races may be in full swing. Still, older horses continue to make headlines, with “El Potente” delivering a standout performance in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita. 

With Kentucky Derby betting intensifying and Kentucky Derby odds shifting for top three-year-olds, “El Potente”’s breakthrough victory highlights the importance of patience and development in thoroughbred racing.

“El Potente” Scores First Stakes Win with a Dominant Finish

Coming into the Thunder Road Stakes as the 3-2 favorite, “El Potente” did not disappoint. The six-year-old tracked early leader Air Force Red through sharp opening fractions of 22.63, 46.17, and 1:09.43 before taking control at the top of the stretch. Under jockey Hector Berrios, he surged forward and pulled away to win by three lengths, stopping the clock at 1:32.39 for the mile.

Seal Team, trained by Richard Mandella and sent off as the 5-2 second choice, rallied late to grab second. Air Force Red, who set the pace, held on for third, while longshot Zio Jo rounded out the superfecta at 11-1 odds.

A Testament to Patience and Development

Trained by Dan Blacker, “El Potente” has been a model of consistency since moving to Santa Anita from Oaklawn Park in early 2023. He has won six times in 10 starts at the California track and never finished worse than third. The Thunder Road marked his second attempt at stakes company, following a narrow third-place finish in the restricted Lure Stakes last October.

Blacker credited Berrios for getting “El Potente” to settle early, which allowed the horse to unleash a strong finishing kick. The trainer also emphasized that patience was key in allowing the son of Temple City to mature into a stakes-caliber horse.

What’s Next for “El Potente”?

With his first stakes win secured, “El Potente”’s connections will likely look for bigger races. Given his consistency on turf and ability to handle a mile, options such as the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in March or other graded stakes on the West Coast could be in play.

His victory also elevated the reputation of My Way Racing LLC, his ownership group, which allowed the horse to develop at his own pace. Now, at six years old, “El Potente” appears to be hitting his peak, making him a contender to watch in the coming months.