Bob Baffert tuned up his four Breeders' Cup contenders at Churchill Downs

Hughes, Salahudin, Miss Monica, and Explora completed their final workouts this Sunday, with excellent times over 800 meters. The trainer hopes to play a leading role once again at Keeneland, especially with his undefeated colts

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (From a Special Envoy).— Bob Baffert has almost everything ready to face a new edition of the Breeders' Cup. This Sunday, over the Churchill Downs track, the American trainer presented four of his top contenders in their final works before traveling to Keeneland, where the 14 races of the world's most important series will be held this coming Friday and Saturday.

The workouts left excellent impressions, especially given the speed displayed by his representatives. Hughes (Into Mischief) covered 800 meters in 47s1/5, while Miss Monica (Early Voting) and Salahudin (Uncle Mo) posted exact times of 47s. For her part, Explora (Blame) completed the same distance in 48 seconds.

The first of the major stars is Hughes, one of the favorite contenders for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1-$2,000,000),who arrives undefeated after four starts, won by a combined margin of 24 1/2 lengths. The colt enters off victories in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and the American Pharoah Stakes (G1), making it clear that he possesses exceptional talent.

Rafael Bejarano was in the irons during the breeze, which fully satisfied Bob Baffert.

“Rafael Bejarano also worked him last week. I always try to put another horse outside of him to keep him focused,because when he works alone he can be a little lazy. He moves very well over the track and is very athletic,” explained the trainer.

Another undefeated colt raising huge expectations is Salahudin, who will carry the colors of Zedan Racing Stables in the same Juvenile. The son of Uncle Mo has won all three of his starts, including the Iroquois Stakes (G3) held on September 12 at Churchill Downs.

This time he worked solo with Florent Geroux aboard, responding in excellent fashion.

“We usually work him in company and with Irad Ortiz Jr., who knows him well. He knows he's not particularly quick out of the gate, but he has a beautiful stride. We would love it if the race were here, because he loves Churchill Downs.He's a horse that gets better every week,” highlighted Bob Baffert.

Florent Geroux returned to action on Saturday after seven weeks on the sidelines due to six fractured ribs. He had ridden Salahudin in his first two victories before José Ortiz replaced him in the Iroquois. It has not yet been determined who will ride him at Keeneland.

Among the fillies, Miss Monica targets Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1-$2,000,000). Undefeated in two starts, the daughter of Early Voting comes off a 6 1/4-length victory in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and will race two turns for the first time.

“We don't know yet how she will handle it, but I haven't seen any sign indicating she can't adjust,” commented Bob Baffert regarding the filly, who worked with retired jockey Joe Talamo in the irons.

Finally, Explora prepares to contest the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1-$1,000,000), seeking to return to winning ways after finishing a narrow second in the Dogwood Stakes (G3) on September 19. Prior to that, she had won the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

José Ortiz was in charge of riding her during her breeze, and Bob Baffert was equally pleased.

“She moved really well. José Ortiz knows her because he's been working with her for a while. It will be a tough race, and she will have to step up, but I really like how she's coming into it,” he assured.

With two undefeated colts, an unbeaten filly, and a top-class sprinter, Bob Baffert will arrive at Keeneland with a formidable squad. The final works are in the books, and now the time has come to confirm on race day everything his horses have been promising in the mornings.