Potesta Makes First Stakes Start a Winning One

Potesta made her first career stakes appearance a winning one on Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park, edging Eden’s Moon in a dramatic stretch run in the Hollywood Oaks (G3).

Eden’s Moon set the pace in the early going under Rafael Bejarano. Potesta and Joe Talamo tackled the pacesetter on the far turn and the two hooked up the length of the stretch with Potesta bravely getting her nose down on the wire. The winner covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.22.

“It was all the horse today,” said Talamo. “Eden’s Moon is a real nice filly so I knew I was going to need a lot of horse to get by. That’s why I waited longer than I wanted to. I figured it would pay off the last part, which it did. We just got up. She’s unbelievable. (Trainer) Mike (Mitchell) has done an unbelievable job with her. That was her third career start and she just beat a Grade 1 winner. When they can get headed and come back like that, that’s a real nice horse. I really think the sky’s the limit with her.”

The daughter of Macho Uno is owned by Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino and is trained by Mike Mitchell.

Potesta/Benoit photo