- Unbeaten favorite Hughes established himself as an early Kentucky Derby favorite by taking control through the far turn and pulling away for a 2 1/4-length victory over American History in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Friday at Keeneland.

Named for U.S. Olympic men's hockey hero Jack Hughes , whose overtime goal clinched the gold medal in last winter's Milan-Cortina Games, the bay colt trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert seized the moment on his biggest stage to date and didn't look back.

Tighter than three of his previous four victories, which came by at least six lengths, Hughes nonetheless set himself apart from an eight-horse field featuring three undefeated 2-year-olds.