Hughes a runaway winner of Del Mar’s Best Pal S. (G3)

Hughes toyed with his competition in Saturday’s Best Pal S. (G3) at Del Mar, romping to a 7 ¾-length win to give Bob Baffert his 13^th winner of the race for 2-year-olds.

After his June 21 debut six-length score, for which he was named a TDN Rising Star, Hughes was post time favorite in the six-furlong Best Pal. The bay colt went right to the lead, with Kennyten glued to his flank in the first furlong.  First-time starter You Want Some then made a run, with Hughes shaking him off with three furlongs to run.

Kennyten made another run at the pacesetter, but Hughes would have none of it and easily sprinted clear at the top of the stretch. With Juan Hernandez looking back for the competition, Hughes kept widening his lead and coasted under the wire in 1:09.61.

“It was beautiful,” Baffert said. “The second time out is always important. He had been training well and we knew he had a lot of speed. Juan got him into a good groove, a good flow. He’s always shown he was special and I’m happy for the group at Del Mar. They’re a new group. We love Del Mar and now we’ll go on to the (GI Del Mar) Futurity (on Sept. 6).”

Baffert was referring to the ownership group of Front Row Club, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor Racing LLC, Albaugh Family Stables, LLC, Robert  Masterson, Robert E., Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan.

Hughes is a son of Into Mischief, the seven-time champion sire who stands at Spendthrift Farm. The farm was owned by the late B. Wayne Hughes and is now run by his son-in-law and daughter.