Baffert may have BC Juvenile favorite in Hughes

ARCADIA, Calif. - No trainer has won more runnings of the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita or the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at various locales across the nation than trainer Bob Baffert, who could easily add to his total this year with Hughes.

On Saturday, Hughes extended his unbeaten streak to four races with an authoritative six-length win in the American Pharoah Stakes.

On Oct. 30, Hughes may go favored in the BC Juvenile at Keeneland following the decision on Sunday to withhold U. S. S. Valor, the winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, from the BC Juvenile in favor of a 3-year-old campaign next year.

Baffert said on Sunday that Hughes emerged from his race in good condition.

In the $300,500 American Pharoah Stakes, Hughes ($2.60) started at 1 1/16 miles for the first time. Ridden confidently by Juan Hernandez, Hughes stalked the pace to the end of the backstretch before taking the lead on the turn. The outcome was essentially determined in early stretch.

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Hughes was timed in 1:43.22 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100.

“It was a good schooling for him,” Baffert said in the winner’s circle. “It was a very respectable time.”

Baffert was impressed by the way Hernandez coaxed patience from Hughes after the colt won three sprints during the summer, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 6.

“He was a little bit keen, but that’s the first time he’s ever gone two turns,” Baffert said. Hernandez “got him to settle and he shut it down and that’s what you need.

“You need a horse to shut it off and he did.”

Hughes, who is by Into Mischief, races for a partnership that includes Front Row Club syndicate, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stable. Purchased for $675,000 as a yearling at the 2025 Keeneland September Sale, Hughes has earned $480,000.

Baffert has won the BC Juvenile six times, most recently with Citizen Bull at Del Mar in 2024. Baffert has won 14 runnings of the American Pharoah Stakes, which was known as the Norfolk Stakes through 2011. Baffert has won seven of the last nine runnings of the American Pharoah.

Of his six wins in the BC Juvenile, three won the American Pharoah in their preceding starts – Game Winner (2018), Corniche (2021) and Citizen Bull.

Baffert’s other three BC Juvenile winners had a variety of prep races in their previous starts.

Midshipman was second in the 2008 Norfolk. Vindication won the Kentucky Cup Juvenile at Turfway Park before his win in the 2002 BC Juvenile, while New Year’s Day won a maiden race at Del Mar in August 2013 before his victory in the BC Juvenile.

Hughes, Baffert says, may join that list.

“We have a good horse,” Baffert said. “We need to show up.”

Baffert and Aidan O’Brien, of Ireland, are tied for first with 21 wins on the all-time list of Breeders’ Cup wins.

California trainer Leonard Powell is winless with three Breeders’ Cup starters in his career, but will have an intriguing runner in the BC Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 30 with Domain Expansion.

Second in a maiden race on turf at Del Mar on Sept. 5 in her only previous start, Domain Expansion closed from fourth to record an upset win in Saturday’s Grade 2 Oak Leaf Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on dirt.

Domain Expansion, ridden by Adrian Escobedo, won the Oak Leaf Stakes at 14-1 by seven lengths, finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.44. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 88.

“It’s legit,” Powell said on Sunday morning in reference to the Beyer figure.

The Beyer figures of the last five winners of the BC Juvenile Fillies have ranged from 94 for Echo Zulu in 2021 at Del Mar to 79 for Just F Y I at Santa Anita in 2023.

Domain Expansion closed from seventh on Sept. 5. She showed a sharp rally from fourth on the turn to reach the front in early stretch of the Oak Leaf Stakes.

“I knew she was a filly with a lot of talent,” Powell said. “The competition had more experience than us, but I knew the talent was there.

“The thing is she has tactical speed. She took back and seems like stamina is not an issue. It’s two good assets to have, stamina and tactical speed.”

Domain Expansion was the first graded stakes win for 39-year-old jockey Adrian Escobedo, who began riding in 2021 and has a background riding in Arizona and California on all breeds.

Domain Expansion will be his first Breeders’ Cup mount.

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