Hughes Wins Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Sets Sights on Derby
The undefeated colt led from the start to secure a $2 million prize, marking the first of five Grade 1 races on the opening day of the Breeders' Cup.
By Samantha Reed ·
Hughes did not wait for his rivals to close the gap. The unbeaten favorite took command of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Friday at Keeneland and held a 2 1/4-length advantage over American History when the finish line arrived. The result positions the bay colt as an early contender for the Kentucky Derby next May.
Trainer Bob Baffert, a Hall of Famer, guided Hughes to his fifth victory. The colt, named after U.S. Olympic hockey player Jack Hughes, faced a field of eight that included three other undefeated 2-year-olds. Jockey Flavien Prat moved Hughes into contention immediately and then extended the lead past Coach Pope.
This race was tighter than Hughes' previous four wins, which all came by margins of at least six lengths. The colt covered 1 1/6 miles in 1:42.27. Bettors who backed the even-money favorite received payouts of $3.64, $2.58, and $2.10.
American History, trained by Todd Pletcher, finished second by a head. Salahudin, also trained by Baffert, took third place. Both runners paid $3.30 and $2.72 respectively in their respective betting categories.
Baffert described Hughes as a superior 2-year-old. He noted that the team brought the horse up slowly and that everything worked out for him on the day. The colt is a son of Into Mischief and K P Dreamin by Union Rags.
The Juvenile headlined the first day of the season-ending World Championships. The schedule featured five million-dollar Grade 1 stakes races for the world's best 2-year-olds under a clear late afternoon sky.
Other results included a win for Emphatic in the Juvenile Fillies. The undefeated favorite held off a late rally by Miss Monica to improve to 4-0. Sun Goddess won her sixth straight start in the Juvenile Fillies Turf by three lengths.
In the Juvenile Turf, substitute jockey Ryan Moore rode 7-2 choice Haffner to a 1 3/4-length victory. This win gave trainer Aiden O'Brien the Breeders' Cup record for the moment, surpassing Baffert. O'Brien entered the day tied with 21 career victories. The win was his ninth of the day and one of two Breeders' Cup victories for him on Friday.
Source: KSL.com
