Artemis Agrotera, The Lumber Guy could make history in Breeders' Cup

Artemis Agrotera, The Lumber Guy could make history in

Breeders' Cup

Trainer Mike Hushion was quick to realize that the homebred Artemis

Agrotera was a talented individual. She comes to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Fillies with a 2-0

record from a smashing Saratoga debut and a victory over the well-regarded Sweet

Reason in the Frizette on October 5.

"I liked her a lot before we ran her," Hushion said. "When

she came to the barn I matched her up with a $500,000 two-year-old. They were

galloping and breezing partners so we thought highly of her right from the

beginning.

"When she won, I wasn't that surprised, but I wasn't

thinking Breeders' Cup then. Actually, it was when I worked her after the first

race. She was working great going into her maiden win then she started working

spectacular. She was fooling the riders. I told them, good riders, to go a half

in :50 and they go in :46, like a good horse will do. That actually was the

point that I thought she was something special."

Sweet Reason, who also is in the Juvenile Fillies, broke

poorly in the Frizette and spotted the field about five lengths. She recovered

and passed everyone but Artemis Agrotera.

"I don't know what would have happened if Sweet Reason

broke well," Hushion admitted. "It would have been interesting if they had

gotten to head-and-head the last 70 yards. Now my filly has got another race

under her belt. Sweet Reason has got one more race under her belt than my filly,

which is an edge for her with these lightly raced fillies."

Both of Hushion's Breeders' Cup horses -- Artemis Agrotera and Sprint-bound

The Lumber Guy -- are New York-breds.

While New York-breds have won many graded and group races around the world, they

are winless at the Breeders' Cup.

"It's amazing how many of us, including me, didn't know

that," Hushion said. "New York-breds and the New York-bred people have been very

good to me. They've helped put my kids through college. There is a lot to thank

them for. This would be a nice way to do it."

Hushion nearly had the New York-bred breakthrough victory

last season when The Lumber Guy finished second, beaten three-quarters of a

length, by Trinniberg.

"It always stings more when you think you're going to win a

race and you don't," Hushion sighed. "It's like losing twice. He certainly ran

great."

The Lumber Guy stayed in California after the Breeders' Cup

and ran two lackluster races for trainer Neil Drysdale. The four-year-old was returned to Hushion during the summer, finished second in a state-bred stake at Saratoga

then was last in the Vosburgh, the race he won last year.

"He trained too much like a monster, which may have had

something to do with his latest effort," Hushion explained. "He worked a half-mile

and galloped out in :57 1/5. There's always a chance that affected him. I was

disappointed.

"We just turned things around and did a couple of easy

half-miles with him and a lot more jogging the wrong way. Just change for change

sake. It didn't work the last time. Hopefully this will turn him around. He

looks like a million dollars. He looks like a weight lifter."

Hushion said that handicappers ought to take a look at his

four-year-old colt.

"I certainly wouldn't disregard him. We're not here for

that reason," he said. "This is a faster bunch of horses than last year so he's

got his work cut out for him. He's a talented horse. If he gets the right trip

and he brings his A race it could be fun."

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com