BY BROCK SHERIDAN

El Potente, which translates to “the powerful,” lived up to his moniker with a clear victory in the Grade 3 Thunder Road, a $100,000 test for 4-year-olds and older going a mile on the turf at Santa Anita Saturday. Trained by Dan Blacker and ridden by Hector Berrios, the 6-year-old El Potente earned his first stakes victory while winning for the second time in two starts this year.

He entered the Thunder Road after taking a second condition, $80,000 optional claiming by two lengths going a mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 4.

“He responded perfectly,” Berrios said of the winner.

Sent to the post as the 3-2 favorite after previous favorite Seal Team (GB) prematurely broke through his gate before the start, El Potente settled nicely behind Air Force Red as they headed into the clubhouse turn. El Potente continued to race in second, a length-and-a-half behind Air Force Red, through quarter-mile fractions of :22.63 and :46:17 before drawing even with the leader around the far turn. Those turned for home together after six furlongs in 1:09.43 but El Potente took over in the stretch to win by three lengths in 1:32.39 on the firm turf. 

Seal Team made a late run to get second with Air Force Red hanging on for third. Zio Jo, Cabo Spirit, Astronomer, Lammas (GB), Wizard of Westwood and Packs a Wahlop completed the order of finish.

“A lot of credit goes to Hector,” Blacker said. “He really gets him to switch off and he runs for him too. You can see when he asks him to go, that turn of foot. I think he responds really well for Hector.

Owned by Mike Way’s My Way Racing LLC, El Potente paid $5 to win.

 

El Potente has not finished out of the top three since April of 2022 when fourth against $40,000 maiden claimers at Oaklawn Park. In ten starts since, he has six wins, two seconds and two thirds including a three-race winning streak at Santa Anita in 2023 that started with him taking a $50,000 maiden claiming in January of that year. His only previous start against stakes company came when third, less than a length behind winner Sumter in the $92,000 Lure going a mile on the Santa Anita grass in October.

“It was just patience,” Blacker said of El Potente’s long road to becoming a stakes winner. “He needed time to really mature and reach his peak. We just gave him time when he needed it. [Way] has been so patient and allowed him to do it. Now we are reaping the rewards.”

The dark bay or brown horse improved his career record to six wins in 14 starts with two seconds and two thirds. The $60,000 earned for winning the Thunder Road increased his lifetime bankroll to $248,796.

El Potente is by Temple City out of the stakes-placed Florida-bred mare Charmsil, by Silver Charm and was bred in Florida by Charmsil LLC. El Potente was the last foal and first stakes-winner out of Charmsil, who has five winners from nine starters and 10 foals. 

He is a graduate of the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Sales June Sale where McMahon and Hill Bloodstock as agent purchased him for $35,000 out of the Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds consignment.

Return to the February 1 issue of Wire to Wire