El Potente may end layoff with Eddie Read Stakes
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El Potente, the winner of two Grade 3 races at a mile on turf since the beginning of 2025, is on schedule to start for the first time since early March in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar on July 26.
Trained by Dan Blacker for Mike Way, El Potente was withdrawn from the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 25 because of illness. El Potente has since had three workouts, the most recent of which was five furlongs in 1:01 at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Blacker said on Sunday that the $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf is a “possible first target” for El Potente. Another option is the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 22.
Blacker said he saw increased enthusiasm from El Potente in Saturday’s workout.
“He’s doing much better,” he said. “When they have a virus it takes a while to get their energy back.
“He’s bright and alert in the barn. His first couple of works were quiet for him. He still worked okay. He’s back to himself again.”
El Potente, a 7-year-old horse by Temple City, has won 7 of 18 starts and earned $384,796. He won the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in February for the second consecutive year, and was second by a half-length to the now-retired Final Boss in the Grade 2 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita on March 7 as the 9-5 favorite.
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