Study Guide: 2026 American Pharoah Stakes

Sep 29, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Hughes wins the Del Mar Futurity (G1) at Del Mar. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Six-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Bob Baffert conditions four of the six horses entered in Saturday’s $300,000 American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.

Held over 1 1/16 miles on dirt, the American Pharoah is a prominent Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 10-5-3-2-1 points to the top five finishers. It's also a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier awarding a Win and You're In berth to the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

Let’s learn about the 2026 American Pharoah entrants:

Dang Son

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Claiborne Farm
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo

Top Speed Rating: (86) when finishing third in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $84,500

Sire: Good Magic
Dam: Orate
Color: Bay

Dang Son has the pedigree to excel racing on dirt, but he scored his lone victory on grass in a one-mile maiden special weight. He exits a distant third-place finish against Hughes in the Del Mar Futurity and will need improvement to turn the tables.

Hughes

Hughes wins the Del Mar Futurity (G1) at Del Mar. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Front Row Club, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Albaugh Family Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Breffni Farm
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez

Top Speed Rating: (100) on two occasions, including when winning the Del Mar Futurity at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $300,000

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: K P Dreamin
Color: Bay

Hughes hasn’t been challenged in three starts, winning all by margins from 4 3/4 lengths to 7 3/4 lengths. He was much the best in the Del Mar Futurity and owns the two highest Brisnet Speed ratings in the American Pharoah field, so defeating Hughes will be anything but easy.

Net Par

Net Par wins the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Reddam Racing
Breeder: Reddam Racing
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Jockey: Victor Espinoza

Top Speed Rating: (87) when winning the Graduation S. at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $131,800

Sire: Pavel
Dam: Taffeta
Color: Gray/roan

Bred in California, Net Par has competed exclusively in races for fellow California-breds, most notably winning the Graduation S. by a nose. He’s talented, but he’s facing tougher competition in the American Pharoah, and he’s yet to race farther than six furlongs. Stretching out over 1 1/16 miles is a new obstacle to overcome.

Imperial Honor

Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman
Breeder: Stoneview Farm
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (93) when winning a maiden special weight at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $60,000

Sire: Honor A. P.
Dam: Seeking Mo Jewel
Color: Dark bay/brown

Imperial Honor was much the best when debuting in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar, leading all the way to win by 5 1/4 lengths. The 93 Brisnet Speed rating he earned stamps him as the second-fastest American Pharoah entrant behind Hughes, so Imperial Honor looms as the most likely challenger to the betting favorite.

Emancipate

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Cicero Farms
Breeder: Cicero Farms
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith

Top Speed Rating: (81) when winning a maiden special weight at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $66,000

Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Marley’s Freedom
Color: Bay

Emancipate finished fourth in his debut, then improved to win a six-furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar by 2 1/2 lengths. However, his career-best 81 Brisnet Speed rating looks a bit light against this strong American Pharoah field.

Domus

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Baoma Corp
Breeder: Baoma Corp
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura

Top Speed Rating: (79) when winning a maiden special weight at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $78,000

Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Der Lu
Color: Bay

Domus dominated his debut at Del Mar by 5 1/2 lengths over a field including Dang Son, but he faltered when stepping up in class for the Del Mar Futurity, tiring to finish a distant fourth. He’ll need a rebound if he’s going to challenge for a top-three finish in the American Pharoah.

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