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Henny Hughes romps in Jersey Shore Zabeel Racing International's HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy) made a smashing return to the races on Saturday at Monmouth Park, easily drawing off to win by 10 lengths in the $145,000 Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup S. (G3). Unraced since recording an excellent second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained three-year-old notched his third career stakes victory, improving his overall mark to 7-4-3-0, and smoked six furlongs in 1:08 1/5 with Joe Bravo, who sat chilly in the saddle throughout aboard the impressive colt. He's Got Grit (Songandaprayer) sprinted to the fore and ripped through a fast opening split in :22 1/5 as Henny Hughes closely tracked the pacesetter. Bravo could wait no more as Henny Hughes dragged him to the front on the far turn, and they led by a head through a half-mile in :44 3/5. The winner exploded through the stretch drive, passing five furlongs in :56 1/5 as he continued to extend his margin over the fast track, and he missed the track record by only two-fifths of a second. "This is what I wake up in the morning for," Bravo said. "He was spectacular today. Kiaran had this one ready to roll. Last year when I rode him, he was just a boy, but he's filled out and is a man now." Favored at 2-5, Henny Hughes paid $2.80 and $2.10 to his many supporters. There was no show betting due to only four wagering interests. Saint Daimon (Saint Ballado) caught He's Got Grit by three-quarters of a length in deep stretch to finish second at 9-1 and gave back $3. The 1-6 exacta returned $10.60. The pacesetter held third by another four lengths over Changing Weather (Storm Boot). Keyed Entry (Honour and Glory) and Fabulous Strike (Smart Strike) were scratched. Bred in Kentucky by Liberation Farm, Trackside Farm and CHO LLC, Henny Hughes sold for $180,000 at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale. After opening his racing career last summer with two straight wins, including a 15-length tally in the Tremont S., he was sold for a reported $4.3 million. The chestnut colt is out of the stakes-placed Meadow Flyer (Meadowlake), who is also the dam of a yearling colt by Zavata and a 2006 colt by Champali. Henny Hughes has now earned $734,820. He also captured the Saratoga Special S. (G2) last year and finished second in both the Champagne S. (G1) and Hopeful S. (G1). The August 26 King's Bishop S. (G1) at Saratoga is a likely target for Henny Hughes.
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