Keeneland Racing: Hughes' Juvenile Win Cements Derby Odds

The race between Hughes and American History in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile came down to a final stretch duel that Hughes won by 2 1/4 lengths. The outcome positioned the bay colt as the leading candidate for the Kentucky Derby next May, a title he secured by taking control through the far turn and pulling away from the rest of the field.

Hughes entered the eight-horse race at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, as the even-money favorite. He had won his previous four starts by margins of at least six lengths. This victory was tighter, yet he still separated himself from a field that included three other undefeated 2-year-olds.

Jockey Flavien Prat guided Hughes into contention early. The colt surged past challenger Coach Pope and widened the gap before the final stretch. American History, trained by Todd Pletcher, finished second by a head. Salahudin, also trained by Bob Baffert, took third place.

The horse is named after Jack Hughes, the U.S. Olympic men's hockey player who scored the overtime goal for a gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Games last winter. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the son of Into Mischief and K P Dreamin by Union Rags completed the 1 1/6-mile race in 1:42.27. Payouts were $3.64 for a win, $2.58 for place, and $2.10 for show.

Baffert noted that the team brought the horse up slowly. He stated that the day was designed for the colt to shine. Baffert described Hughes as a superior 2-year-old. The performance took place under clear late afternoon skies during the first day of the season-ending World Championships.

The event featured five million-dollar Grade 1 stakes races with the world's best 2-year-olds. A scare in the fifth race briefly cast doubt on the status of Jose Ortiz. Ortiz, who rode Golden Tempo to victory in last year's Kentucky Derby, was aboard McCoy when he fell. Brian Hernandez Jr., riding Fusta, was involved in the spill. Both riders were cleared to continue. Ortiz told USA Network that he spent the afternoon on an exercise bike to recover for the Juvenile.

In the $2 million Juvenile Fillies, unbeaten favorite Emphatic held off a late rally from Miss Monica. Emphatic won by 1 1/2 lengths, improving her record to 4-0. This victory marked the first Breeders' Cup win for trainer Brandan Walsh. Miss Monica had lagged next to last through the backstretch before finding space to dart outside.

Sun Goddess, an Irish-bred favorite, won her sixth consecutive start in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf. She rolled to a three-length victory over Green Empress, with Curracloe finishing third. In the $1 million Juvenile Turf, substitute jockey Ryan Moore guided 7-2 choice Haffner to a 1 3/4-length victory. Haffner overtook Avec Toi at the 1/16th pole and held off 5-2 favorite Folsom Blues.

That win gave trainer Aiden O'Brien the Breeders' Cup record for the moment over Baffert. They entered the day tied with 21 victories. It was O'Brien's ninth race win of the day and one of two Breeders' Cup victories Friday. In the $1 million Turf Sprint, Libertango overtook Ruiva in the final furlong. The 5-2 favorite won by 1 1/4 lengths. Harper's Corner was disqualified from third to eighth after an objection, which elevated Mussab from fourth.