Hughes leads Baffert brigade in American Pharoah

In search of his 14th success in the $300,000 American Pharoah (G1), Bob Baffert will saddle four of the six entries in Saturday’s Santa Anita renewal. Bettors, though, are likely to focus on only two.

Hughes has been the dominant juvenile in Southern California so far this season. After a six-length debut win at Los Alamitos in June, the son of Into Mischief swept both of Del Mar’s graded stakes for two-year-olds, the Best Pal (G3) by 7 3/4 lengths and the Del Mar Futurity (G1) by 4 3/4 lengths. The colt’s two-turn abilities will be tested Saturday over 1 1/16 miles.

Imperial Honor, meanwhile, stretches out from 5 1/2 furlongs following a convincing debut score at Del Mar on Labor Day. The son of Honor A. P. is out of a half-sister to leading turf star Deterministic.

The winner of the American Pharoah receives an automatic bid to the Oct. 30 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), while the top five finishers receive Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1, respectively.

Baffert is also well positioned to win the $200,000 Oak Leaf (G2) for a 15th time, saddling Sorrento (G3) winner and Del Mar Debutante (G1) third Holmby, as well as last-out maiden winners Quattro Passi and Deluge.

The 1 1/16-mile Oak Leaf is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Juvenile Fillies (G1) and will award Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1 to the top five.

Grade 1 veteran Thought Process figures to be strongly favored to bounce back from a surprise loss in the John C. Mabee (G2) in the $200,000 Rodeo Drive (G2). A five-time stakes winner, including the Gamely (G1), Thought Process is unbeaten in four starts over Santa Anita’s turf course.

The 1 1/4-mile Rodeo Drive is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

Other Saturday stakes that might yield Breeders’ Cup starters are the $100,000 Chillingworth (G3), a 6 1/2-furlong dash for fillies and mares, and the $100,000 Speakeasy S., a five-furlong turf sprint for two-year-olds.