Into Mischief’s Potente gets first Derby points with thrilling San Felipe S. (G2) win

Into Mischief added another potential Kentucky Derby (G1) starter to his arsenal on Saturday when Potente won San Felipe S. (G2) in nail-biting fashion over Robusta.

Potente, who was making his stakes debut, also 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, putting him seventh on the list.

Into Mischief is also the sire of Fountain of Youth S. (G2) winner Commandment and Sam F. Davios S. winner Renegade, both of whom are in the top 12 in the Derby points standings.

Potente, who won his Jan. 31 debut going six furlongs, was making a significant jump in class and distance in Saturday’s contest. Stablemate Brant went to the lead at the outset, with Potente tracking fourth through a half-mile of :46.62. Behind a wall of horses after six furlongs, Potente was forced to go four-wide into the stretch. Robusto, meanwhile, had taken over front Brant and looked like a winner with a furlong to go. Potente was just hitting his best stride however, and took the lead in the final jump to win by a nose in 1:42.92 on a fast track.

“I knew the pace was going to be hot,” trainer Bob Baffert of his two runners. “I think Brant was a work away from this race. He got tired. Potente is bred to go that far. He was ready for that. Kimura told me he thought the horse was a two-turn horse. That horse that ran second (Robusta) is not a bad horse that he beat.  He beat Cherokee Nation. We’re moving forward with Potente. He’ll have another start before the Kentucky Derby.”

Owned by Speedway Stables LLC, Potente has earned $162,000 in his two wins. The bay colt was bred by Pam and Martin Wygod. Out of stakes-placed Sweet Sting, Potente’s second dam is $2.2 million earner, Breeders’ Cup winner and Champion Turf Female Perfect Sting.

At $2.4-million, the second highest hip sold at the Saratoga Sale in 2024, Potente is also the priciest Into Mischief yearling sold that year and one of seven yearlings to hit the seven-figure price tag that sales season