Freud’s General Maximus Powers Home to Win Hudson in Near Record Time

by Sarah Mace

One of only two 3-year-olds to go the post for the first stake of Showcase Day 2010, General Maximus got his second career stakes victory in 33^rd running of the $125,000 Hudson Handicap with a decisive win over six rivals. The son of Freud completed the six furlongs in 1:08.84, the second fastest Hudson time since 1994, when the race began to be carded at its present distance.

Owned by Goldmark Farm, Michael Imperio and Elizabeth Loftus and trained by John Terranova II, General Maximus got his breakthrough first stakes victory in the Times Square Division of the Stallion Stakes Series in early May. He then ran second to Empire Classic entrant Friend Or Foe in the Mike Lee Stakes at Belmont in June and, after being ambitiously spotted in the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga, came out of the race with an off-the-board finish and a lung infection. In his last start on October 6 he finished third in the Easy N’ Dirty Stakes to Endless Circle and Be Bullish after being caught in traffic.

General Maximus went to post five on Saturday under regular rider Javier Castellano as third choice in the wagering at odds of 5-to-1 after odds-on favorite Endless Circle and last year’s Hudson victor Driven by Success. Be Bullish, a 5-year-old gelded son of Pure Prize making his 42^nd career start, was fifth choice.

The fate of favorite Driven by Success was more or less sealed when he missed the break and spotted the field four lengths. Be Bullish was the one to take the initiative from his outside post, and General Maximus set up in a stalker’s role in the three path as the leader clocked early fractions of 22.87 and 45.40. Gaining ground in the turn and moving up on equal terms with Be Bullish by the quarter pole, General Maximus then edged ahead on his way to a 1 ½-length victory over the pacesetter. The only faster running of a six-furlong Hudson on the books than General Maximus’ final time of 1:08.84 was 1:08.60 (Wire Me Collect in 1997). Turtle Bird Stable’s Raynick’s Jet, the other 3-year-old in the field who was making his first start since running third in the Ontario County at Finger Lakes on July 31, ran third under Ramon Dominguez. Completing the order of finish were Driven by Success (who rushed up after missing the break, but never got on track), Heavenly Blaze, Endless Circle and Rollers. [VIDEO[3]]

Tonja Terranova, assistant to John Terranova said the outcome of the Hudson made amends for some disappointment after General Maximus’ last outing. “In his last race [Easy N’ Dirty Stakes on October 6] it was unfortunate that he ended up way behind horses. He had to check a couple of times, but he still came running. We figured he could have won if he hadn’t encountered all the trouble. We are really happy for him.” Birthday-boy Javier Castellano was all smiles. “I had a beautiful trip today. Today, I rode him the way it’s supposed to be, and he responded. I’m very happy with the horse. He’s a special horse. Today is a big day, it’s my birthday, and I’m enjoying my day.”  With the victory, General Maximus improved his record to 8-4-1-1 and increased his lifetime earnings to $212,950. NYTB Board President Barry R. Ostrager presented the Hudson Stakes trophy to General Maximus’ connections.

General Maximus is one of two foals to race and the single winner for his unraced dam, Modern Toughness (Good and Tough). Bred by Jill and Dominique Imperio and foaled at Sez Who Thoroughbreds North in Stillwater, the colt was purchased by Joe Imperio at the 2006 New York Breeders’ Sales Company Fall Mixed Sale for $2,000. His sire Freud stands for Sequel Stallions[4] at Keane Stud[5].

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2010/10/23/general-maximus-hudson/

---