Deadspin: Hughes Finds Another Gear, Wins Breeders Juvenile by 2 1/4 Lengths

Hughes Pulls Away Late

Hughes held a position near the front through the race before drawing clear in the stretch. American History finished second, Salahudin was third, and Coach Pope placed fourth.

The 4-5 favorite returned $3.64 for a $2 win bet, $2.58 to place and $2.10 to show. American History paid $3.30 to place and $2.54 to show; Salahudin paid $2.72 to show.

Co-owner Tom Ryan said Hughes’s name helped make the horse’s success a memorable story. Ryan’s father-in-law is Pat Hughes, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and 10-year NHL veteran.

Baffert Sees More Potential

Trainer Bob Baffert said a training session with jockey Rafael Bejarano helped him understand Hughes’s ability. He said the colt had not faced a test like the one at the three-quarter pole.

Baffert said Hughes “caught another gear” when challenged. Hughes, named in part for U.S. Olympic hockey hero Jack Hughes, won for the fifth time in five races.

Derby History And Baffert

Winning the Juvenile does not guarantee a Kentucky Derby victory. Since the Breeders’ Cup began in 1984, only Street Sense in 2007 and Nyquist in 2016 have won both races.

Baffert has trained six Kentucky Derby winners, tying Ben A. Jones for the most in the race’s 152-year history. His most recent Derby win came with Authentic in 2020. Medina Spirit finished first in 2021 but was later disqualified after failing a drug test.

Other Friday Winners

Emphatic beat Miss Monica by 1 1/2 lengths in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies. Miss Monica, the 2-1 favorite, rallied after being bumped at the start but could not catch the winner.

The Breeders’ Cup continues Saturday in Lexington with nine races for horses aged 3 and older. The $7 million Classic features Golden Tempo, Sovereignty and defending champion Forever Young.