Potente a 'Heart Horse' For Farrell

It was love at first sight for Marette Farrell when she laid eyes on a colt by Into Mischief   at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Following her gut, the bloodstock agent navigated a tense bidding war to secure one of the sale's standout individuals for Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stables at a whopping $2.4 million. 

Amidst feelings of apprehension and excitement, Farrell decided to go all in on a horse she believed had a bright future, not just on the track, but in terms of stallion potential. 

After signing the ticket, Farrell stated, "I'm still shaking because I loved this horse, but I really had hoped I wouldn't have to go to this amount of money, and they (Fluor and Weiner) knew that we loved the horse. I hope he's a lucky horse, I hope he's a good horse. They deserve this, and so does the horse.

"I loved that he was out of an Awesome Again mare, which brings in the Deputy Minister and Blushing Groom," she said. "I also believe in top stallions having a gene pool that brings in some outside strains. In his female family, he has In Reality, Rough and Tumble, etc." 

Farrell's keen eye for talent once again proved prophetic as the Into Mischief colt she scouted rose up the sophomore ranks this season. Now racing under the name Potente , the striking colt has validated every bit of Farrell's early praise, transforming from a promising prospect into a definitive top contender for this year's Kentucky Derby (G1). 

"It was a very dramatic finale. When I was making that last bid, I was trying to think, 'Is Peter going to be upset with me if I buy this horse? Or is he going to be upset with me if I don't buy this horse?'

"After talking him up so much, I said, 'Damn it! You've got to go with it, make that last bid!' He's a heart horse for me. There was just something very special about him. I really, really love that horse. I'm very proud of him."

Under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Potente followed a sharp January debut victory with a win in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park, fueling Kentucky Derby aspirations for Speedway Stables. 

Speedway Stables has campaigned many top prospects over the years, including 2021 champion 2-year-old Corniche  , 2019 Santa Anita Derby (G1) Roadster  , and 2017 Pacific Classic (G1) winner Collected  . 

They have also campaigned top fillies and mares such as Hard Not to Like , Cavalieri , and Leigh Court .

Farrell, who buys just a couple of horses a year for Speedway Stables, said they often went for fillies with good pedigrees because they would have residual value. She said after campaigning Collected, Fluor said to her, "I really love those fillies, but there's something about that Derby."

Potente sits primed to be Speedway's most legitimate threat to claim the Run for the Roses.

"It's a tough regime to get into the Derby. They not only have to be an athletic horse, but they have to be strong, powerful, forward—mentally and physically—to handle that campaign," Farrell said. "We all dream that there's a possibility that he could be that kind of horse, but that's always a dream; it doesn't always come true.

"I feel so lucky—he has a great trainer in his corner; Peter and K.C. believed in what (Farrell and Zoe Cadman said about the horse), and went with us. Thank God, I can breathe a sigh of relief. We're almost there."

Potente was bred in Kentucky by Pam and Martin Wygod out of the Awesome Again mare Sweet Sting, who is out of the champion grass mare and 2000 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) winner, Perfect Sting. He was offered at the Saratoga Sale by Lane's End, agent for Pamela Wygod & The Wygod Family Revocable Trust.

"We love all the connections, and we love to honor Marty Wygod," said Farrell after the purchase of Potente as a yearling. "He was such a big supporter of our Thoroughbred business and so successful." 

Martin Wygod, a well-known breeder and owner, died in April of 2024. He and his wife, Pam, bred many stakes winners, including champion Sweet Catomine  and multiple grade 1 winner Life Is Sweet , both out of their homebred mare Sweet Life.

"Sometimes you can't define what it is about a horse, you just have to trust your gut and hope that your gut instinct is right," Farrell said. "(Potente) has shown me he's really talented. He's got his chance in the starting gate, like all the others—I wish them all safe trips and hope for the best. 

"It's a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Kentucky Derby, to be a part of all of that is incredible. That's what every breeder, owner, and every agent, like me, dreams about."