Hughes, ridden by jockey Juan Hernandez, captured the Grade I, $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes on October 3, 2026 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, establishing the colt as the morning-line favorite for the upcoming Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
The victory in the key Kentucky Derby prep race positions Hughes as a leading contender for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, with the win also boosting his prospects on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Hernandez guided Hughes to a decisive win in the 1 1/16-mile event, which serves as a major stepping stone for two-year-olds targeting the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
