Potentiality Is Realized in Louisiana

Potentiality broke a close fifth out of the gate, then seized the lead after the first quarter en route to a 1 1/2-lengths victory in Friday’s $100,000 Island Whirl Handicap at Louisiana Downs.

The 4-year-old colt, ridden by Earlie Fires, covered the seven furlongs in a near-record 1:22.2 and paid $22.40, $5.80 and $3.80 as a 10-1 outsider. Favored Black Tie Affair paid $2.60 and $2.40 for second, and Ankles returned $3.60 to show.

Trained by Tom Proctor, Potentiality earned $60,000 for his fifth victory in seven starts and increased his career earnings to $113,766 for Glen Hill Farms.

Friday’s card launched a weekend of racing that peaks Sunday with the $1 million Super Derby XI.

Very Shortley took the lead shortly after the break and led the rest of the way to win the Devil’s Bag Purse at Arlington International Racecourse in Chicago.

Very Shortley, ridden by Kerwin Clark, finished the one mile in 1:37 over a sloppy track.

Big Mukora rallied in the middle of the stretch to take second, 3 1/4 lengths behind. Big Mukora was another 7 1/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher Old Stories.

Very Shortley, the favorite, returned $5.40, $3 and $2.20. Big Mukora paid $3.80 and $2.40 and Old Stories returned $2.20.