Following March 7 victories that earned them 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1), Potente and The Puma have joined the leaderboard in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll.
After a front-running maiden victory, Speedway Stables' Potente showed a new dimension Saturday rating off the pace and running down Robusta in the final strides of the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. Now 2-for-2 and trained by six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, the son of Into Mischief placed seventh in the weekly poll voted on by national media.
The Puma was also game in victory on the opposite coast, rallying to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs for 2023 Derby-winning trainer Gustavo Delgado and owners OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing. The son of Essential Quality makes his leaderboard debut in ninth, one spot ahead of Further Ado, who he beat by three-quarters of a length Saturday.
The top six placings remained unchanged with Remsen Stakes (G2) and Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Paladin still holding a firm lead over Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Commandment.
An eye-catching victory at Santa Anita Saturday in the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) also moved reigning Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner Splendora into the top 10 of the NTRA's Top Thoroughbred Poll, placing eighth.
