$2.4 Million Purchase Potente Leads Maiden Watch

This column highlights the performances of 3-year-old maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

This week's Maiden Watch is highlighted by the $2.4 million yearling purchase, Potente.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old son of leading sire Into Mischief  went gate to wire on debut in a 6-furlong dirt race at Santa Anita Park Jan.31. As the 3-5 favorite under jockey Kazushi Kimura, Potente broke alertly and went immediately to the lead, but was quickly pressured by Captain Shreve, who sat a neck off of him in the first quarter in :22.77. As they rounded the turn, they continued head-to-head through the half in :45.62 and went into the stretch together. Potente on the inside was able to fend him off in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length. Captain Shreve was second.

Baffert alluded that a stretch-out could be next for Potente. From the winner circle at Santa Anita, he shared with track publicity, "His class showed up today. Now he's ready. He's not a sprinter; he wants two turns. Kimura said he's definitely two turns. He's a beautiful horse." 

Potente was the second-highest purchase at The Saratoga Sale in Upstate New York in 2024, where agent Marette Farrell acquired him on behalf of owner Speedway Stables. He is out of the Awesome Again mare Sweet Sting. His second dam is champion grass mare Perfect Sting, winner of 14 races from 21 starts, including three grade 1s. Her most notable win came in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Churchill Downs. 

Potente finished the race in 1:10.65 and paid $3.20 for the win. He earned a 79 Beyer Speed Figure and a 94 Equibase Speed Figure. 

Lion Lake Makes Splash at Gulfstream Park

A day earlier on Jan. 30 at Gulfstream Park, Lion Lake, the 3-year-old daughter of Dark Angel, broke her maiden in her fourth try. As the post-time favorite, under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, she raced off the pace early on after bumping with another horse into the first turn. She settled 5 1/2 lengths off the pace makers Sorella Bella and Pan Pan, and began to make her move on the far turn, picking off rivals one by one. As they straightened out for the stretch drive, Lion Lake came wide around three horses and kicked clear of them. She fended off a late bid by first-time starter Rules and Regs to win by three-quarters of a length. She completed the 7 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1.30.25 and paid $5.20 for a $2 win wager. 

Lion Lake is out of the Cape Cross mare Urjuwaan, making her a full sister to  Alfareeq, a group 1 winner in the United Arab Emirates. Lion Lake was purchased at Goffs Orby Yearling Sale by Corbin Blumberg for the equivalent of $162,366. 

Lion Lake is trained by Brendan Walsh and owned by Emcee Stables. She earned a 76 Beyer Speed Figure and a 78 Equibase Speed Figure.