ugKentucky-bred Hughes, a precocious colt by Into Mischief, walked his beat in fine fashion in winning the 79th edition of the Del Mar Futurity (G1).
The bay colt teamed up with Juan Hernandez to take down the $180,000 winner’s prize in the $300,000 Del Mar feature and he did it as the prohibitive favorite in a compact field of five. Hughes covered seven furlongs in 1:22.57 and was wrapped up late as the easiest of winners.
The $675,000 yearling has now won all three of his career outings, including the Best Pal S. (G3) in August. Owned by Front Row Club LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor Racing LLC, Albaugh Family Stables LLC, Robert Masterson, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan, Hughes was bred in Kentucky by Breffini Farm and is produced from the Union Rags mare K P Dreamin.
“He sat off the speed horse,” said winning trainer Bob Baffert. “We knew the inside horse was really fast. Juan said if he had gone to the lead they would have gone faster, so he relaxed. We’re still learning about these horses. He’s the kind of horse who does most of his running at the end which is what you like to see. It’s very exciting to win this race.”
Hernandez said of the trip, “I was aware that this was seven-eighths and I know that can sometimes be a tough one for a young horse. So, I had that horse inside me, but I didn’t want to push on my horse too early. He was handling it all well. When we straightened out, he was lugging in just a bit. He did his job today.”