Baffert preps Cherokee Nation, Potente for Santa Anita Derby

Cherokee Nation and Potente, two of trainer Bob Baffert’s expected contenders in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4, worked a half-mile in 48 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday.

Cherokee Nation, who worked three furlongs in 38.20 seconds on March 14, gained national attention with a 10-length win in a maiden race at a mile on Feb. 27 in his sixth start. Cherokee Nation was timed in 1:34.50 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100.

Through Thursday, Commandment has the highest Beyer Speed Figure of the year among 3-year-olds, a 101 earned in a neck victory in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28. Chief Wallabee, second in the Fountain of Youth, earned a 100.

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Potente is unbeaten in two starts – a maiden race at six furlongs on Jan. 31, and a head win in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 7. The San Felipe Stakes is the leading prep race for the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles.

On Friday, Meaning, winner of the Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on Feb. 8 in her first start of 2026, worked five furlongs in 1:00.20. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Meaning is a probable starter in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on April 4.

The Baffert-trained Explora, second in the Las Virgenes, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40. She won the third stakes of her career in her seventh start in Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park on March 1. Explora drew the outside post and was made the even-money favorite for the Grade 2 Fantasy set for next Friday at Oaklawn.

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