El Potente will miss Shoemaker Mile because of a fever

El Potente will miss Santa Anita's Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on Monday because of a fever.

Trainer Dan Blacker posted on X that the 7-year-old son of Temple City will return at Del Mar.

"So disappointed for owner Mike Way, who has been so patient with this horse and always done right by him," Blacker wrote.

El Potente opened the year in February with a gate-to-wire win in the Thunder Road (G3) at Santa Anita, which he won last year as well. Then was second by a half-length to long-shot Final Boss last out in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G2).

He has a career record of 18: 7-3-3 and earnings of $384,796. He had drawn post position 1 for the Shoemaker Mile, and regular rider Hector Berrios had the mount.

The eight horses now expected for the 2026 Shoemaker Mile include four from last year's field, in which the top six horses were separated by 1 1/2 lengths: winner King of Gosford, runner-up Mi Hermano Ramon, fourth-place Formidable Man and sixth-place Seal Team. Formidable Man, the beaten favorite last year, will likely be favored this year. The Shoemaker Mile will be his first start since the Breeders' Cup Mile on Nov. 1, where he finished second to Notable Speech.