Henny Hughes showdown in BC Juvenile Sprint

Rangeview Stud sire Henny Hughes can play a strong hand in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint (1200m) at Santa Anita in November.

A G1 winner of the Vosburgh Stakes and King’s Bishop Stakes, Henny Hughes (USA) was rated World’s Champion Sprinter in 2006.  He is currently serving his first book in Western Australia at a $7,700 service fee.

Henny Hughes colt Carried Interest remains on course for the BC Juvenile Sprint after finishing a brave first-up second to Overanalyze in the G2 Futurity Stakes at Belmont on Sunday.

The Rick Violette-trained youngster had been sidelined with shin-soreness since a very impressive win at Belmont on July 5.  He clocked 56.62s to defeat Palace Malice over 1000m that day and the Todd Pletcher trained runner-up then came out and won at Saratoga.

“It was spectacular debut,” Violette said.  “Especially as Todd rates Palace Malice as certainly one of his better two year-olds.”

Carried Interest (2c Henny Hughes–Missamerica Bertie by Quiet American) drew the rails in the Futurity and was pressured in front by Handsome Jack, Weekend Hideaway and Gulfport until he forged clear at the furlong.

Just as he was been hailed the winner, Overanalyze closed from well off the speed battle to score running away at the end of 1200 metres.  “I got him tight but the post position was a stinker,” Violette said.  “He’s a nice horse and ran great.”

The Henny Hughes colt skipped the G1 Saratoga Special in August before returning to training at Aqueduct for a fresh tilt at the Futurity.  He is owned by Seth Klarman and William Lawrence and was a $190,000 buy at the 2012 Ocala 2YO Sale March.

The same connections also raced G2 Saratoga Special winner Spurious Precision but he was euthanased after fracturing a knee during a workout last month.

The BC Juvenile Sprint division is up in the air after the loss of Spurious Precision and the defections of Palace Malice, Maybe So (LR Mountaineer Juvenile) and Circle Unbroken (G3 Bashford Manor Stakes).  Others are prepping for berths in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

The Juvenile Sprint will attract late-developing youngsters like Carried Interest.

Meanwhile, Henny Hughes filly Beholder was scratched from a rematch with unbeaten filly Executiveprivilege in the G1 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday.  “I was worried she would not be ready to run a strong 1700m,” trainer Richard Mandella said.  “Getting around two turns on the new track was also a concern.”

Executiveprivilege was undefeated in three starts by a combined margin of 9 lengths prior the Debutante Stakes at Del Mar on September 1.  She only beat Beholder by a nose in a split decision that day.   Without Beholder engaged, Bob Baffert’s unbeaten filly won the Chandelier by 6 lengths.

Beholder (2f Henny Hughes – Leslie’s Lady by Tricky Creek) will be nominated for the inaugural running of the $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes (1600m) on turf at Santa Anita next Monday, October 8.  Mandella also floated the chance she will be freshened up for a crack against the colts in the BC Juvenile Sprint.

That will set up at showdown with Carried Interest at Santa Anita on Friday, November 2.

Henny Hughes is standing at Rangeview Stud and broodmare owners can contact Robert Gray on 0409 243 461 or Jody Gray on 0418 933 707.

BEHOLDER
Henny Hughes filly racing next in the Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita on October 8