Making his debut for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Hughes (Into Mischief–K P Dreamin, by Union Rags) justified his 3-5 favoritism to win by open lengths thus become a ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ at Los Alamitos on Sunday afternoon.
Brushing slightly out of post 2, Hughes went to the front and was quickly joined by fellow firsters Midnight Ovation (Olympiad) and High Pronto (Hightail). With Midnight Ovation briefly backing out as the favorite and High Pronto continued to slug it out through a sharp :21.81 quarter, the leading duo straightened for home in unison as Midnight Ovation took the overland route.
Drawing away from his nearest rival in midstretch, the $675,000 Keeneland September graduate was as good as gone, drawing increasingly clear late to score by six lengths. Mosigma (Mo Donegal) closed to be second while Midnight Ovation held on for third.