Correll’s Corner: Potente lives up to hype

Potente lives up to hype

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

TRINITY, Fla. – The Puma pounced late and mauled the two favorites, Further Ado and Canaletto, to win the Tampa Bay Derby. The son of Essential Quality picked up 50 points and a spot in the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

Potente proved his maiden win a month ago was no fluke as he took down the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita in his first try against winners. He has enough points, but the question for him will be if he has the seasoning to be ready for the first Saturday in May.

I will list the horse, sire, most recent race it was in and the trainer.

Paladin (Gun Runner) won the Risen Star and has two mile-and-an-eighth races under his belt. Trainer Chad Brown.

Potente (Into Mischief) won the San Felipe at Santa Anita. Bob Baffert.

Renegade (Into Mischief) won the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay. Todd Pletcher.

Nearly (Not This Time) won the Holy Bull at Gulfstream. Todd Pletcher.

Commandment (Into Mischief) won the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream. Brad Cox.

Class President (Uncle Mo) won the Rebel at Oaklawn. Todd Pletcher.

Silent Tactic (Tacitus) was second in the Rebel. Mark Casse.

Chief Wallabee (Constitution) was second in the Fountain of Youth. Bill Mott.

The Puma (Essential Quality) won the Tampa Bay Derby. Gustavo Delgado.

Further Ado (Gun Runner) was second in the Tampa Bay Derby. Brad Cox.

Canaletto (Into Mischief) was third in the Tampa Bay Derby. Chad Brown.

Iron Honor (Nyquist) won the Gotham. Chad Brown.