Hughes tackles the two-turn challenge in the American Pharoah

Undefeated in three starts and a brilliant winner of the Del Mar Futurity (G1), Bob Baffert’s colt will test the 1,700-meter distance for the first time this Saturday at Santa Anita Park. The trainer will send out four of the six entrants. Among the fillies, Holmby will headline the Oak Leaf Stakes (G2), which also serves as a Breeders’ Cup qualifier

ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario).- So far, Hughes has passed every test with total authority; this Saturday, he will have to answer a brand-new question. Undefeated in three starts and already a Group 1 winner, the son of Into Mischief will tackle a two-turn race for the first time when he headlines the American Pharoah Stakes (G1-1,700 m, $300,000), one of the major attractions of the weekend at Santa Anita Park.

The event will also serve as a direct stepping stone toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on October 30 at Keeneland, as it forms part of the Challenge Series and will grant the winner an all-expenses-paid berth.

Bob Baffert will hold a commanding presence with four of the six entrants, though all eyes will be squarely on Hughes.

Campaigning for Front Row Club, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, and partners, the colt arrives off a formidable performance in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), where he extended his unbeaten streak by drawing off to a 4 3/4-length victory over 1,400 meters.

Prior to that, he had captured the Best Pal Stakes (G3-1,200 m), also at Del Mar, building a flawless record that he must now carry into a considerably more demanding distance.

Purchased for $675,000 as a yearling at the 2025 Keeneland September Sale, Hughes will once again have Juan Hernández in the irons, his winning partner in both the Futurity and the Best Pal.

Among his rivals, he will reencounter Dang Son, who finished third in the Del Mar Futurity during his stakes debut.

The son of Good Magic, trained by Doug O’Neill for Calumet Farm, had previously broken his maiden over the mile on the turf at Del Mar, a detail that at least provides him with experience at a comparable distance. Emisael Jaramillowill ride.

Baffert Holds More Cards

While Hughes stands as the headliner, Baffert boasts three additional intriguing options. Imperial Honor made a stunning first impression on debut September 7 at Del Mar. The son of Honor A. P. took the lead early and coasted home to a 5 1/4-length victory over 1,100 meters.

Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman shelled out $725,000 for him in April at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, and he will now be guided for the first time by Joel Rosario.

Domus, a son of the famed Uncle Mo, also won on debut at Del Mar before finishing fourth in the Del Mar Futurity. Homebred by Baoma Corp., he will be ridden for the first time by Kazushi Kimura.

The trainer’s fourth representative will be Emancipate, another son of Uncle Mo, bred and owned by Cicero Farm. He comes off a maiden victory in his second career start over 1,200 meters at Del Mar and will feature Mike Smithaboard.

In addition to awarding a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup, the American Pharoah forms part of the qualifying path for the 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Holmby Also Tests the Distance

The 2-year-old fillies will face a similar examination in the Oak Leaf Stakes (G2-1,700 m, $200,000), where Holmbywill attempt to regain lost ground after finishing third in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1).

Also trained by Baffert, the daughter of Corniche won her first two outings. She debuted with a victory at Del Marand then returned to capture the Sorrento Stakes (G3-1,200 m) by a neck.

In the Del Mar Debutante, contested over 1,400 meters, she tracked the pace closely but proved no match for the remarkable superiority of Miss Monica (Early Voting), ultimately finishing third. She will now gain her first experience around two turns, with Ricky González returning to the saddle.

Free Closer, fourth in the Debutante, looms as one of her principal adversaries. The daughter of Pavel, trained by Michael McCarthy, had previously won the CTBA Stakes (L) by a staggering 8 1/4 lengths and will now feature Joel Rosario.

Baffert will also send out Quattro Passi, who comes off a 9 1/4-length maiden score over 1,200 meters, and Deluge, unbeaten in one start after a successful debut over 1,000 meters on the Del Mar turf.

Quattro Passi, a daughter of Girvin, will be ridden by Mike Smith, while Juan Hernández gets the call aboard Deluge (Maximus Mischief).

The Oak Leaf will deliver an all-expenses-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and will also distribute qualification points for next season's Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Santa Anita Park thus puts its premier juveniles to a test that often proves decisive: stepping away from sprints for good and proving they can sustain their high quality around two turns.

Hughes enters with a perfect record as the marquee star ahead of the pivotal American Pharoah; Holmby arrives with something to prove following her defeat to Miss Monica. For both, Keeneland awaits just four weeks down the road.