Santa Anita Derby: Baffert's Potente, Cherokee Nation lead 7

Potente and Cherokee Nation from the Bob Baffert barn, Grade 1 winner Intrepido and Robusta are among a field of seven 3-year-olds set to go in the Grade 1, $500,000 Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Santa Anita Park.

Potente comes in with a 2-for-2 record for owner Speedway Stable. A $2.4 million auction buy as a yearling, Potente most recently edged Robusta by a head when winning the San Felipe (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on March 7 at Santa Anita. That effort followed a debut win against maidens sprinting six furlongs at Santa Anita in January.

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By Into Mischief, Potente will break from post 2, right next to stablemate Cherokee Nation, who drew the rail. Potente will be ridden by Juan Hernandez, who was also aboard in the San Felipe.

Cherokee Nation comes in owning the highest Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form in the field. After finishing fifth in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) on Feb. 7, Cherokee Nation returned to the maiden ranks going one mile 20 days later and aired by 10 lengths at Santa Anita. The effort earned a 100 Beyer, which is tied for second-highest posted by a 3-year-old this year.

A colt by Not This Time, Cherokee Nation commanded $1.15 million at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale. He is owned by an extensive ownership group that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. Cherokee Nation will be ridden by Florent Geroux for the first time. 

Robusta, trained by Doug O’Neill, nearly won the San Felipe at odds of 67-1. By Accelerate, Robusta raced close to the pace in the San Felipe and had the lead in deep stretch but could not hold off the late charge from Potente. Robusta previously was sixth in the Lewis at odds of 36-1.

A homebred for Calumet Farm, Robusta again will have the services of Emisael Jaramillo, the leading jockey at the Santa Anita classic meet.

Intrepido, trained by Jeff Mullins, bypassed the San Felipe after just missing in the Lewis. Returning from a three-month-plus layoff in the Lewis, Intrepido dueled on the lead under Hector Berrios before being beaten by three-quarters of a length by the now-sidelined Plutarch. Last year, Intrepido won the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita before finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile following a slow start.

By Maximus Mischief, Intrepido is owned by Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. He was bought for $385,000 at last year’s OBS April sale of 2-year-olds in training. Intrepido will break from the far outside with Berrios again in the irons.

So Happy, trained by Mark Glatt, finished third in the San Felipe, 2 1/4 lengths back of Potente. It was the first time around two turns for the colt by Runhappy. Previously, So Happy won his debut sprinting in November at Del Mar and then scored in the San Vicente (G2) going seven furlongs in January at Santa Anita.

So Happy is owned by Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners. A $150,000 auction buy last year, So Happy will have regular rider Mike Smith aboard.