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Henny Hughes handles elders in Vosburgh Zabeel Racing International's HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy) relaxed off pacesetter Attila's Storm (Forest Wildcat) during the early stages of Saturday's $392,000 Vosburgh S. (G1), seized command leaving the far turn, and powered his way through the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the sophomore colt remained unbeaten this year in his third start and established himself as the likely favorite for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) on November 4. "He proved he's a top horse," McLaughlin said. "We're there now (ready for the Breeders' Cup). We'll keep him happy." Runner-up in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), Henny Hughes returned to the races this year focused upon sprinting and opened his 2006 campaign with a 10-length win in the six-furlong Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup S. (G3). He turned in a superb effort to win the seven-furlong King's Bishop S. (G1) in his previous outing, chasing a fast pace before effortlessly drawing clear to a 5 1/4-length triumph. The chestnut colt made his first start against older horses in the Vosburgh. Attila's Storm led the way through an opening quarter-mile in :22 1/5, but Henny Hughes and jockey John Velazquez began to pick up the pacesetter on the far turn and had a head in front after four furlongs in :44 4/5. The winner edged clear in midstretch and easily held runner-up War Front (Danzig) at bay late, finishing six furlongs over the fast Belmont Park track in 1:08. "He was pretty impressive today, let me tell you," Velazquez said. "He broke a touch slow out of there. I didn't panic, I knew he was going to be fast enough to catch them. He relaxed really good. He showed that he can do anything." Favored at nearly even money, Henny Hughes paid $3.90, $2.80 and $2.30. War Front was second at 6-1, giving back $5.20 and $3.90, and it was a half-length back to the 19-1 Attila's Storm, who returned $4.70. Who's the Cowboy (Intensity) came next and 7-5 second choice Silver Train (Old Trieste), who raced off the pace and never threatened, rounded out the order of finish. The exacta totaled $19.40, and the 1-2-4 trifecta $89. Bred in Kentucky by Liberation Farm, Trackside Farm and CHO LLC, Henny Hughes was initially purchased for $180,000 at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July sale. After winning his debut by six lengths and the Tremont S. by 15, he was sold privately to his current connections. Henny Hughes also captured the Saratoga Special S. (G2) last year and finished second in the Champagne S. (G1) and Hopeful S. (G1). Out of the stakes-placed Meadow Flyer (Meadowlake), Henny Hughes has a yearling half-brother by Zavata and a 2006 half-brother by Champali. With the $240,000 payday, Henny Hughes added his name to the list of Thoroughbred racing's millionaires with $1,124,820 in earnings. He's compiled a career mark of 9-6-3-0.
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