Kentucky Derby Prep
Potente edges Robusta in 2026 San Felipe Stakes; So Happy, Secured Freedom eye Santa Anita Derby
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Potente rallied late to win the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes by a head over 67-1 longshot Robusta at Santa Anita Park, earning 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points and a 90 Beyer Speed Figure. Third-place So Happy and fourth-place Secured Freedom drew praise from their connections, who reported the horses in good shape and plan to enter them in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4.
The Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs on Saturday offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points but no clear favorite. Trainer Tommy Drury's undefeated Lockstocknpharoah faces his dirt debut against Bob Baffert's Buetane, the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Other contenders include Confessional and Incredibolt, setting up a competitive field.
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Incredibolt, trained by Riley Mott, will seek to recover from a poor showing in the Holy Bull Stakes when competing in Saturday's $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. The race offers qualifying points for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Mott expressed optimism about the colt's form and suitability for the track.
Promising colt Buetane will skip the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park due to a canceled flight from California. The $1.15 million Tiz the Law son, trained by Bob Baffert, was set to make his sophomore debut in the Kentucky Derby prep but now eyes the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. The race, offering key qualifying points, proceeds with a strong field led by Street Sense winner Incredibolt.