Churchill Downs Update: Baffert Considers Kentucky Jockey Club for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Third Salahudin

Nov 06, 2026

Zedan Racing Stables’ Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) third-place finisher Salahudin could make his next start in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) on Saturday, Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs, according to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Salahudin won his first two starts at Ellis Park, including the Ellis Park Juvenile, before earning 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a half-length victory in the Iroquois (GIII) on Sept. 12 at Churchill Downs. In last Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland, he broke sharply and was keen early under Tyler Gaffalione. He eventually settled down the backstretch and was bumped twice late before finishing third behind stablemate Hughes and Breeders’ Futurity (GI) winner American History.

“He’s a big horse and it’s hard to start and stop like he did,” Baffert said Monday on “At the Races with Steve Byk.” “I learned a lot about the horse and we’re going to take the blinkers off, and I think he’ll settle down. I wanted to take the blinkers off earlier, but he’s the type of horse that will fool you with how quiet he can be.”

The 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club is part of the Stars of Tomorrow II card, which is devoted to 2-year-olds. The race awards Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale. Nominations close Wednesday.

Salahudin and Hughes shipped back to Churchill Downs from Keeneland on Sunday. Hughes improved to 5-for-5 with a 2 ¼-length victory under Flavien Prat in the Juvenile, his third straight Grade I win. The Into Mischief colt had won the American Pharoah (GI) by six lengths at Santa Anita in his previous start.

“I really didn’t know how good he was before the (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile) because I didn’t really know what he was beating,” Baffert said of Hughes. “He was doing it so effortlessly. He came back from the American Pharoah and didn’t take a deep breath.”

Baffert, who now has a full-time division at Churchill Downs, plans to have horses at Santa Anita and Oaklawn Park this winter.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Friday’s nine-race card at Churchill Downs featured carryovers of $432,175 in the Jackpot 8, $67,520 in the 20-cent Derby City 6 and $3,897 in the Super Hi-5. First post was 1 p.m. … Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. took off his Friday mounts because of soreness after he was unseated before Race 6 on Wednesday. … Jockey Junior Alvarado plans to continue riding at Churchill Downs through the end of the Fall Meet. He has mounts at Belmont Park on Saturday but is named to ride at Churchill Downs on Friday and Sunday. … Godolphin’s Zimmer earned a 92 Brisnet Speed Rating for his 2 ¼-length victory in Thursday’s first-level allowance at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old son of Maclean’s Music is unbeaten in two starts for trainer Mike Stidham. … It was a busy Friday morning on the work tab with 161 horses recording published moves, including Wathnan Racing’s Travers (GI) winner Leading Change (five furlongs, 1:00.80). Also on the work tab was Bourbon Fueled Racing’s Street Sense (GIII) runner-up Staunch, who breezed a half-mile in :48.40. … Churchill Downs will host Military Appreciation Day presented by Coca-Cola on Sunday. Gates open at noon, and veterans and active-duty military personnel receive complimentary general admission with a valid military ID. The day includes tributes to veterans on the Big Board and recognition of the Woody Williams Foundation. A $45 lunch on Millionaires’ Row can be reserved through GOVX or by calling (502) 636-4450. … “Inside Churchill Downs” airs Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN Louisville. The show streams live at www.espnlouisville.com and is available on demand through the “Inside the Kentucky Derby” podcast on all major streaming platforms. … For the latest information about the Churchill Downs Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.