Potente And Cherokee Nation for Baffert among 7 3-Year-Olds set to go in the Santa Anita Derby Saturday

Potente and Cherokee Nation from the Bob Baffert barn are among a field of 7 3-year-olds set to go in the Grade I, $500,000 Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Santa Anita Park.

Potente comes in with a perfect 2-for-2 record for owner Speedway Stable. A $2.4 million auction buy as a yearling, Potente most recently edged Robusta by a head when winning the GII San Felipe going 1 1/16 miles on March 7 at Santa Anita. That effort followed a debut win against maidens sprinting six furlongs at Santa Anita in January.

By Into Mischief, Potente will break from post 2, right next door to stablemate Cherokee Nation, who drew the rail. Potente will be ridden by Juan Hernandez, who was also aboard in the San Felipe.

Cherokee Nation comes in owning the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field. After finishing fifth in the GIII Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 7, Cherokee Nation returned to the maiden ranks going one mile 20 days later and aired by 10 lengths at Santa Anita. The effort earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, which is tied for second-highest posted by a 3-year-old this year. A colt by Not This Time, Cherokee Nation commanded $1.15 million at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale. He is owned by an extensive ownership group that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. Cherokee Nation will be ridden by Florent Geroux for the first time.