Two unbeaten juveniles opened the new Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks points season with graded stakes victories at Churchill Downs on September 12. Salahudin won the Iroquois Stakes, while Manuka Honey captured the Pocahontas Stakes.
Salahudin overcame a poor start and a wide trip in the Grade 3 Iroquois. Jose Ortiz allowed the colt to settle near the back before advancing around the far turn. Salahudin finished strongly down the center of the track and defeated He Is No Lie by one half length in 1:36.54 for one mile.
The victory moved Salahudin to three wins from three starts and earned him 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. It also strengthens his case as an autumn juvenile to follow toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Manuka Honey keeps her unbeaten record
Manuka Honey also remained perfect, winning the Grade 3 Pocahontas by two lengths. Luis Saez kept the filly close to the pace before asking her to advance around the turn. She finished clearly in front, with Scarlett Begonia second and Miss Anna third.
The win gave Manuka Honey 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks and extended her record to three victories from three starts. Her next decisions will help shape the early picture for both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and the longer Kentucky Oaks trail.
The first points races delivered established favorites
OTB Bet previewed both races before the Churchill Downs card, with Salahudin and Manuka Honey entering as the leading unbeaten runners. Both delivered, but in different ways. Salahudin had to recover from adversity, while Manuka Honey produced another controlled late move.
Read the original Iroquois Stakes preview and Pocahontas Stakes preview for the pre race context.
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News race reports published September 12, 2026, with result information linked to Equibase.
