Into Mischief Colt Hughes Goes Four for Four, Earns Breeders' Cup Berth in the American Pharoah

Hughes, a son of Into Mischief, is still unbeaten. On Saturday he won the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes by a wide margin. His three earlier races were all wins, and together he won them by 18 1/4 lengths. Saturday added a question none of those had answered: could he handle a longer trip with a second bend? He answered it plainly, keeping his rhythm into the first turn and drawing clear through the stretch. The American Pharoah is a "Win and You're In" race, so the victory also gives him an automatic place in the Breeders' Cup. A clean record is a fine thing to carry into the fall. Going longer without losing a step is the part that will have horsemen watching where Hughes runs next.

With reporting from Thoroughbred Daily News.