Potente, Litmus Test the Baffert duo for Kentucky Derby 152

Bob Baffert will have two chances to capture a record seventh Kentucky Derby (G1) May 2^nd at Churchill Downs with Litmus Test in post 4 and Potente in post 14.

Potente, owned by Speedway Stables LLC, is the more highly-regarded of Baffert’s duo. The bay son of Into Mischief won his Jan. 31 debut, then came back to take the San Felipe S. (G2) and most recently finished a good second to So Happy in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Potente turned in a bullet work at Churchill Downs on April 26, blazing five furlongs in :56 4/5.

“I didn’t think he was going that fast, I look down [at the stopwatch] and go ‘Oh, he was going a little fast,’ but he had a hold of him the whole way,” Baffert said. “It looks like it took nothing out of him, so that’s the important thing. You don’t really want to see them work that fast, but I’ve had horses work that fast and run really well.”

Unlike Potente, Litmus Test has plenty of 2-year-old experience, winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and finishing less than two lengths behind Ted Noffey in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). This year, the son of Nyquist was third in the Rebel S. (G2) and unplaced in the Arkansas Derby (G1) following a comprised start.

Litmus Test is owned by the conglomerate of SF Racing,LLC (G.Murphy), Starlight Racing (J.Wolf, et al.), Madaket Stables,LLC (S.Kumin), Stonestreet Stables,LLC (B.Banke), Bashor Racing,LLC (D.Bashor), Determined Stables (M.Doorman), Golconda Stable (E.Friman), Waves Edge Capital,LLC (W.G.Slager) and Catherine Donovan.

Baffert has secured Juan Hernandez to ride Potente and Martin Garcia for Litmus Test.

The Derby will be run at 6:57 pm ET and can be seen on the NBC family of networks.