BY BROCK SHERIDAN

In his fifth year on the track, 6-year-old El Potente won his first stakes race last out in the Grade 3 Thunder Road at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 1. Trainer Dan Blacker is hoping the Florida-bred will build on that black-type success and his two-race winning streak Saturday when he returns for the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile, a $300,000 turf contest for eight 4-year-olds and older at the Great Race Place.

El Potente is among the top contenders as the 2-1 second choice in the program. 

Although his career got off to a slow start in his first two years on the track with two fourth place finishes in four starts, three of which were in the maiden claiming ranks in Southern California, El Potente made a big improvement after switching to Blacker’s barn.

In his first start for Blacker in January of 2023, El Potente was third in a $40,000 maiden claiming but won his next race at the $50,000 maiden claiming level two weeks later. He has since won five of eight starts with two seconds and a third. 

El Potente made his stakes debut as a 5-year-old in October of last year, finishing third behind Sumter in the $92,000 Lure going a mile on the turf at Santa Anita. He was then second, just a neck behind Kilroe-rival Zio Jo in a second level, $100,000 optional claiming going a mile on the turf on Nov. 17.

This year, he is undefeated in two starts including a two-length score in a second level, $80,000 optional claiming going a mile on the turf before kicking clear in the stretch to win the Thunder Road by three-lengths, earning a 104 Beyer Speed Figure. 

“It was just patience,” Blacker said after the Thunder Road. “He needed time to really mature and reach his peak. We just gave him time when he needed it and [owner] Mike [Way] has been so patient and allowed him to do it. Now we are reaping the rewards.”

Way, of Salina, Calif., and the largest shipper of peppers in North America, runs in the name of My Way Racing and has seen El Potente build his bankroll to $248,796.

El Potente is a graduate of the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Sales June Sale where McMahon and Hill Bloodstock selected him for $35,000 out of Eddie Herrera’s Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds consignment.
(El Potente’s Under Tack Video)

Hector Berrios gets the return mount and they have post three.

Mi Hermano Ramon, winner of the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf at Del Mar in November, looks to get back on track in the Kilroe.

Trainer Mark Glatt returns to Southern California with the 5-year-old gelding after shipping to Gulfstream Park for the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational on Jan. 25. Mi Hermano Ramon and jockey Luis Saez raced close to the pace in the nine-furlong Pegasus Turf but were shut off around the far turn, forced five-wide heading into the stretch and finished fifth, two-and-a-quarter lengths behind winner Spirit of St. Louis. 

Two starts back on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, he was second in the Grade 2 San Gabriel going nine furlongs on the grass. After a troubled start, Mi Hermano Ramon rallied to take a short lead in deep stretch before Johannes out finished him for the win. 

By Creative Cause, Mi Hermano Ramon has four wins, two seconds and a third in 11 lifetime starts with $402,980 in earnings for Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners and Red Barron’s Barn LLC.

Mi Hermano Ramon will be ridden from post one by Flavien Prat and they are the 8-5 favorite. 

 

Rounding out the field are Air Force Red with Juan Hernandez named to ride; Formidable Man will have Umberto Rispoli in the irons, Neat and jockey Jose Ortiz, Zio Jo has Kyle Frey taking the call, Almendares (GB) will have Antonio Fresu riding and Mike Smith will be in the saddle for Cabo Spirit.

Return to the February 28 issue of Wire to Wire