Keeneland Race 9 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)
HUGHES (5) is shaping as an exciting colt on the rise, bolting in to score the American Pharoah over this trip at Santa Anita by 6L. That's the standout performance of this crop and he continues to raise the bar with racing and increased distances. Maps to get every chance and can make it a perfect 5. AMERICAN HISTORY (6) is a track and trip winner last start, winning by 1L in the Breeders' Futurity when coming from off the speed. He's untapped and can track HUGHES' every move after drawing alongside him. Can make an impact. COACH POPE (7) jumped the $1.72 favourite ahead of AMERICAN HISTORY last start, but couldn't hold him off in the Breeders' Futurity. Expecting him to work forward from the draw and he can put his best foot forward. SALAHUDIN (3) maps to get his chance and from a good draw, he can make his presence felt.
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Broke through in a Mdn at this track last start, sitting just off the lead and digging in to beat Belzoni by a neck on fast ground. That showed good early improvement from his Saratoga debut, where he was fourth and beaten just over nine lengths by Dargham. He is one from one at this venue and trip, but the rise from Mdn grade into this level asks for a sizeable step forward.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 04/10/2026 | 27 | MDN 2 | $158,046.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 54kg | 1:44.57 | 7-2-1 | 3 |
| 0.3L | $3.74 |
| 4/12 | 07/09/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $159,722.00 | Saratoga | 1207m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 56kg | 1:10.21 | 9-6-4 | 4 |
| 9.4L | $4.42 |
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes after two months off, having remained unbeaten with a G3 win at Churchill Downs when a short odds-on favourite, beating He Is No Lie by half a length. The run prior was a dominant Listed win at Ellis Park, where he put four and a half lengths on Grand Yaupon. He has earned respect, though 1710m is new ground and this demands another professional performance.
Last Starts 49 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 12/09/2026 | 34 | G3 OPEN 2 | $416,667.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 55.5kg | 1:36.54 | 7-1-1 | 5 |
| 0.5L | $1.99 |
| 1/7 | 09/08/2026 | 23 | LR OPEN 2 | $356,633.00 | Ellis Park | 1408m | Fast | Florent Geroux | 54.5kg | 1:23.34 | 5-1-1 | 6 |
| 4.5L | $2.34 |
| 1/9 | 17/07/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $145,138.00 | Ellis Park | 1308m | Fast | Florent Geroux | 54kg | 1:18.13 | 4-1-1 | 9 |
| 2.0L | $1.57 |
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes in with a perfect four-from-four record and has now won two G1 races in succession, most recently by six lengths at Santa Anita after pressing forward as a prohibitive odds-on favourite. He had already won a G1 at Del Mar by just under five lengths, so the form has both depth and dominance. Proven at this distance and rated strongest on recent form, he is clearly the one to beat.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 03/10/2026 | 27 | G1 OPEN 2 | $431,034.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1710m | Fast | Juan J Hernandez | 55.5kg | 1:43.22 | 5-1-1 | 2 |
| 6.0L | $1.30 |
| 1/5 | 06/09/2026 | 29 | G1 OPEN 2 | $416,667.00 | Del Mar | 1408m | Fast | Juan J Hernandez | 56kg | 1:22.57 | 2-1-1 | 4 |
| 4.8L | $1.20 |
| 1/5 | 08/08/2026 | 48 | G3 OPEN 2 | $213,980.00 | Del Mar | 1207m | Fast | Juan J Hernandez | 54.5kg | 1:09.61 | 1-1-1 | 3 |
| 7.8L | $2.50 |
| 1/6 | 21/06/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $69,735.00 | Los Alamitos | 1006m | Fast | Joel Rosario | 55.5kg | 0:57.22 | 4-1-1 | 2 |
| 6.0L | $1.60 |
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Produced a high-quality G1 win at this track last start, coming from well back to beat Coach Pope by a length and doing his best work late. That followed a seven-and-a-half-length debut Mdn win at Saratoga when among the outsiders, so he has quickly built a serious profile. Unbeaten, proven at this venue and trip, and a genuine danger to the top pick.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 03/10/2026 | 42 | G1 OPEN 2 | $933,908.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 55.5kg | 1:44.88 | 6-3-1 | 6 |
| 1.0L | $6.00 |
| 1/9 | 22/08/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $164,051.00 | Saratoga | 1308m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 56kg | 1:17.55 | 5-1-1 | 6 |
| 7.8L | $10.61 |
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Kept fighting when second in a G1 at this track last start, beaten a length by American History after being sent out odds-on favourite. Before that he thrashed a Churchill Downs Mdn by over 12 lengths, so there is ability, and he has placed at all three starts. The issue is whether he can turn the tables on a rival who had his measure here.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/6 | 03/10/2026 | 21 | G1 OPEN 2 | $933,908.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 55.5kg | 1:44.88 | 3-1-2 | 1 |
| 1.0L | $1.72 |
| 1/12 | 12/09/2026 | 35 | MDN 2 | $166,667.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 54kg | 1:35.77 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 12.5L | $1.40 |
| 2/8 | 08/08/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $164,051.00 | Saratoga | 1308m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 56kg | 1:16.41 | 2-2-2 | 2 |
| 0.5L | $13.51 |
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Back after two months on the sidelines, following a narrow G3 second at Churchill Downs where he pressed forward and was run down late by Salahudin, beaten half a length. His prior G3 fourth at Del Mar was much weaker, beaten over 14 lengths by Hughes after failing to finish off. The first attempt at 1710m is a query, but he can run into a minor placing if repeating the latest effort.
Last Starts 49 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 12/09/2026 | 35 | G3 OPEN 2 | $416,667.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | Fast | Joel Rosario | 55.5kg | 1:36.54 | 3-2-2 | 6 |
| 0.5L | $5.68 |
| 4/5 | 08/08/2026 | 41 | G3 OPEN 2 | $213,980.00 | Del Mar | 1207m | Fast | Emisael Jaramillo | 54.5kg | 1:09.61 | 5-4-4 | 2 |
| 13.6L | $3.30 |
| 2/8 | 28/06/2026 | 44 | LR OPEN 2 | $313,808.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Emisael Jaramillo | 54.5kg | 1:09.98 | 1-1-2 | 6 |
| 0.1L | $5.57 |
| 1/7 | 15/05/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $90,782.00 | Santa Anita Park | 905m | Fast | Emisael Jaramillo | 54.5kg | 0:51.88 | 1-1-1 | 6 |
| 8.0L | $1.40 |