Final Boss opened up his 2026 season better than ever on Saturday as he dug deep at 31-to-1 odds to score a Grade 2 triumph in the $200,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita.

Poised in a beautiful spot in third turning for home, Final Boss and leading jockey Juan Hernandez powered through the stretch and repelled the 9-to-5 favorite El Potente to prevail by a half-length on Santa Anita Handicap Day at the Great Race Place.

Racing in the blue and orange silks of co-owner Michael Talla, Final Boss earned his sixth career win and has now earned $378,800 for trainer John Sadler.

“I just smooched at him a little bit near the quarter pole and the horse won the race,” Hernandez said. “I think the last couple of times he was a little rank. To be honest, it was kind of my fault because I was chasing a little bit. Today, he broke good, but I left him alone. That was the key. He relaxed and finished really strong.”

Sadler and assistant trainer Juan Leyva pulled the right strings with Final Boss after he tailed off in his last two starts of 2025. They kept him in the stable but freshened him up and the horse responded on the big stage Saturday.

David Ingordo secured Final Boss for Mr. Talla and West Point at the 2022 Keeneland September yearling sale.