Kentucky Derby Roundup: Hughes takes the Juvenile

The Breeders’ Cup is over, and we’re less than six months away from the 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Catch up on the latest news and developments on the 2026-27 Road to the Kentucky Derby with the weekly Kentucky Derby Roundup on TwinSpires Edge.

Hughes stays unbeaten in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

Hughes virtually locked up champion two-year-old male honors with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland last Friday, in the process cementing his credentials as an early favorite for the 2027 Kentucky Derby.

The bay colt brought an unblemished 4-for-4 record into the Breeders’ Cup, highlighted by wins in the American Pharoah (G1), Del Mar Futurity (G1), and Best Pal (G3). The Juvenile marked his first start outside California, but Hughes shrugged off the change in scenery, pressing and setting fractions of :23.36, :46.65, and 1:10.86 before kicking away to win the 1 1/16-mile race by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:42.27.

Winning the Juvenile earned Hughes 30 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Added to the 10 points he earned in the American Pharoah, Hughes has accumulated 40 points, topping the current qualification leaderboard.

Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner American History closed for second place in the Juvenile, edging Iroquois (G3) conqueror Salahudin by a head. They’ve accumulated 25 points and 19 points on the American Road to the Kentucky Derby, respectively, ranking second and third on the leaderboard.

If Hughes prevails in the Kentucky Derby, he’ll make history for both his sire (Into Mischief) and trainer (Bob Baffert). Into Mischief has sired a record-equaling three Kentucky Derby winners. Baffert has trained a record-equaling six winners of the Run for the Roses. A triumph from Hughes on the first Saturday in May will place Into Mischief and Baffert alone atop their leaderboard categories.

U. S. S. Valor the individual favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1

U. S. S. Valor, unbeaten winner of the Champagne (G1) on the American Road to the Kentucky Derby, emerged as the 6-1 individual favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1.

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 opened for betting last Wednesday and closed Friday, shortly before the running of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The “All Other Colts & Geldings Foaled in 2024” option unsurprisingly proved popular this far out from the Kentucky Derby, closing as the even-money overall favorite among 40 betting interests.

Hughes settled as the second individual choice at 8-1, with the caveat that bettors couldn't factor in his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile triumph in their figuring.

The complete list of possible payoffs for $2 win and exacta wagers can be viewed on the Kentucky Derby website.

Powerline overcomes trouble in Keeneland maiden win

Powerline, a 78-1 chance in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1, broke his maiden in eye-catching fashion on Saturday at Keeneland, the day after Pool 1 closed.

Making his third start, the son of 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline only belatedly broke from the starting gate and raced rankly in the early stages of the race. But despite rushing up into contention and taking a wide journey around the turn, Powerline finished strongly down the homestretch to win by one length in 1:22.26.

Read more about Powerline and other recent maiden winners in this week’s edition of Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Jas handles switch to dirt in Street Sense

Jas started his career on turf and showed stakes-caliber talent when finishing second in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile. But switching to dirt proved to be no obstacle for the son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, as Jas demonstrated fine form over the Churchill Downs dirt to win the Oct. 25 Street Sense (G3) on the American Road to the Kentucky Derby.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jas

Jas raced forwardly in the Street Sense and dug deep down the homestretch to repulse a challenge from Staunch and win by a neck, completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.99. He currently ranks fifth on the American Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 10 points.

American Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Hughes (40 points)
2. American History (25 points)
3. Salahudin (19 points)
4. Coach Pope (11 points)
5. Jas (10 points)

European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby top five

1. Noble Exhibit (13 points)
2. Haffner (10 points)
3. Amusingly (10 points)
4. Giant Sequoia (10 points)
5. Burning Up (7 points)