Keeneland Race 9

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)

Prize Money: $2,873,563

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.

Distance: 1710m
Track: Firm
Weather: Fine
Surface: Dirt
Class: OPEN

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Damavand (1) 41
Trainer: Todd Pletcher(USA)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $100,222
Win / Place: 50% / 50%

2 yo Dark Bay/Brown Colt

Sire: NOT THIS TIME (USA)

Dam: TEMPERS RISING (USA)

Dam's Sire: Bayern

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 1-0-0

Distance

1: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 1-0-0

Track

1: 1-0-0

Season

2: 1-0-0

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

2: 1-0-0

Dirt

2: 1-0-0

Firm

2: 1-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

2: 1-0-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1710m

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.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 11	4/10/26	Keeneland	1710m	MDN 2	3	John R Velazquez	54kg	Fast	1:44.57	58.9 km/h	0.3L	7-2	$3.74	27	$158,046	$90,639	1. Damavand 2. Belzoni 3. Barrel Roll
4th of 12	7/9/26	Saratoga	1207m	MDN 2	4	John R Velazquez	56kg	Fast	1:10.21	61.9 km/h	9.4L	9-6	$4.42	-	$159,722	$9,583	1. Dargham 2. Hullabaloo Ray Ray 3. Motawaali

Place

Date

Track

Distance

Class

Barrier

Jockey

Weight

Cond.

Race Time

Avg. Speed

Margin

800/400

Days

Prize

Prize Won

Result

1st of 11

4/10/26

Keeneland

1710m

MDN 2

John R Velazquez

54kg

Fast

1:44.57

58.9 km/h

0.3L

7-2

$3.74

$158,046

$90,639

1. Damavand

2. Belzoni

3. Barrel Roll

4th of 12

7/9/26

Saratoga

1207m

MDN 2

John R Velazquez

56kg

Fast

1:10.21

61.9 km/h

9.4L

9-6

$4.42

$159,722

$9,583

1. Dargham

2. Hullabaloo Ray Ray

3. Motawaali

Salahudin (2) 111
Trainer: Bob Baffert(California Usa)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $554,084
Win / Place: 100% / 100%

Picket Fence

2 yo Dark Bay/Brown Colt

Sire: UNCLE MO (USA)

Dam: WEEKEND STRIKE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Smart Strike

100

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 3-0-0

Season

3: 3-0-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

3: 3-0-0

Dirt

3: 3-0-0

Firm

3: 3-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

3: 3-0-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1308m - 1609m

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.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 7	12/9/26	Churchill Downs	1609m	G3 OPEN 2	5	Jose Ortiz	55.5kg	Fast	1:36.54	60.0 km/h	0.5L	7-1	$1.99f	34	$416,667	$252,375	1. Salahudin 2. He Is No Lie 3. Caribbean Life
34 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 7	9/8/26	Ellis Park	1408m	LR OPEN 2	6	Florent Geroux	54.5kg	Fast	1:23.34	60.8 km/h	4.5L	5-1	$2.34f	23	$356,633	$215,335	1. Salahudin 2. Grand Yaupon 3. Bearamour
1st of 9	17/7/26	Ellis Park	1308m	MDN 2	9	Florent Geroux	54kg	Fast	1:18.13	60.3 km/h	2.0L	4-1	$1.57f	-	$145,138	$86,374	1. Salahudin 2. Jokester 3. Radnor Lake

Hughes (3) 1111
Trainer: Bob Baffert(California Usa)
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $678,850
Win / Place: 100% / 100%

Dominant Win Last Start

Picket Fence

2 yo Bay Colt

Sire: INTO MISCHIEF (USA)

Dam: K P DREAMIN (USA)

Dam's Sire: Union Rags

100

Rating

Stats

Career

4: 4-0-0

Distance

1: 1-0-0

Season

4: 4-0-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

4th Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

4: 4-0-0

Dirt

4: 4-0-0

Firm

4: 4-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

4: 4-0-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1006m - 1710m

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.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 6	3/10/26	Santa Anita Park	1710m	G1 OPEN 2	2	Juan J Hernandez	55.5kg	Fast	1:43.22	59.6 km/h	6.0L	5-1	$1.30f	27	$431,034	$258,621	1. Hughes 2. Net Par 3. Imperial Honor
1st of 5	6/9/26	Del Mar	1408m	G1 OPEN 2	4	Juan J Hernandez	56kg	Fast	1:22.57	61.4 km/h	4.8L	2-1	$1.20f	29	$416,667	$250,000	1. Hughes 2. Phone Booth 3. Dang Son
1st of 5	8/8/26	Del Mar	1207m	G3 OPEN 2	3	Juan J Hernandez	54.5kg	Fast	1:09.61	62.4 km/h	7.8L	1-1	$2.50f	48	$213,980	$128,388	1. Hughes 2. Phone Booth 3. Kennyten
48 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 6	21/6/26	Los Alamitos	1006m	MDN 2	2	Joel Rosario	55.5kg	Fast	0:57.22	63.3 km/h	6.0L	4-1	$1.60f	-	$69,735	$41,841	1. Hughes 2. Mosigma 3. Midnight Ovation

American History (4) 11
Trainer: Todd Pletcher(USA)
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $662,014
Win / Place: 100% / 100%

Unbeaten Jockey / Horse Combo

Going for the Hat-Trick

2 yo Chestnut Colt

Sire: CONSTITUTION (USA)

Dam: BLOODY POINT (USA)

Dam's Sire: War Front

100

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 2-0-0

Distance

1: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 1-0-0

Track

1: 1-0-0

Season

2: 2-0-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

2: 2-0-0

Dirt

2: 2-0-0

Firm

2: 2-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

2: 2-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 2-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1308m - 1710m

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.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 6	3/10/26	Keeneland	1710m	G1 OPEN 2	6	John R Velazquez	55.5kg	Fast	1:44.88	58.7 km/h	1.0L	6-3	$6.00	42	$933,908	$571,786	1. American History 2. Coach Pope 3. Q B Rocket
42 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 9	22/8/26	Saratoga	1308m	MDN 2	6	John R Velazquez	56kg	Fast	1:17.55	60.7 km/h	7.8L	5-1	$11	-	$164,051	$90,228	1. American History 2. Art Museum 3. Shocked

Coach Pope (5) 212
Trainer: Kenneth G Mcpeek(USA)
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $313,213
Win / Place: 33% / 100%

2 yo Bay Colt

Sire: TAPIT (USA)

Dam: GAMBLE'S GHOST (CAN)

Dam's Sire: Ghostzapper

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 1-2-0

Distance

1: 0-1-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-1-0

Track

1: 0-1-0

Season

3: 1-2-0

1st Up

1: 0-1-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-1-0

Metro

3: 1-2-0

Dirt

3: 1-2-0

Firm

3: 1-2-0

Anti-Clockwise

3: 1-2-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1308m - 1710m

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.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 6	3/10/26	Keeneland	1710m	G1 OPEN 2	1	Jose Ortiz	55.5kg	Fast	1:44.88	58.7 km/h	1.0L	3-1	$1.72f	21	$933,908	$184,447	1. American History 2. Coach Pope 3. Q B Rocket
1st of 12	12/9/26	Churchill Downs	1609m	MDN 2	2	Jose Ortiz	54kg	Fast	1:35.77	60.5 km/h	12.5L	1-1	$1.40f	35	$166,667	$95,956	1. Coach Pope 2. Fullback 3. Justification
35 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 8	8/8/26	Saratoga	1308m	MDN 2	2	John R Velazquez	56kg	Fast	1:16.41	61.6 km/h	0.5L	2-2	$14	-	$164,051	$32,810	1. Gaudreau 2. Coach Pope 3. U S S Valor

He Is No Lie (6) 1242
Trainer: Doug F O'neill()
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $210,688
Win / Place: 25% / 75%

2 yo Dark Bay/Brown Colt

Sire: EARLY VOTING (USA)

Dam: TRUTH IN THE LIES (USA)

Dam's Sire: Hold Me Back

Rating

Stats

Career

4: 1-2-0

Season

4: 1-2-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-1-0

Metro

4: 1-2-0

Dirt

4: 1-2-0

Firm

4: 1-2-0

Anti-Clockwise

4: 1-2-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

905m - 1609m

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.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 7	12/9/26	Churchill Downs	1609m	G3 OPEN 2	6	Joel Rosario	55.5kg	Fast	1:36.54	60.0 km/h	0.5L	3-2	$5.68	35	$416,667	$82,083	1. Salahudin 2. He Is No Lie 3. Caribbean Life
35 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 5	8/8/26	Del Mar	1207m	G3 OPEN 2	2	Emisael Jaramillo	54.5kg	Fast	1:09.61	62.4 km/h	13.6L	5-4	$3.30	41	$213,980	$12,839	1. Hughes 2. Phone Booth 3. Kennyten
41 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 8	28/6/26	Churchill Downs	1207m	LR OPEN 2	6	Emisael Jaramillo	54.5kg	Fast	1:09.98	62.1 km/h	0.1L	1-1	$5.57	44	$313,808	$61,297	1. Blessed Flyer 2. He Is No Lie 3. Captain Luke
44 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 7	15/5/26	Santa Anita Park	905m	MDN 2	6	Emisael Jaramillo	54.5kg	Fast	0:51.88	62.8 km/h	8.0L	1-1	$1.40f	-	$90,782	$54,469	1. He Is No Lie 2. Cupid Cowboy 3. Jonny's Cap

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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