NYRA/Chelsea Durand
Barry K. Schwartz’s 4-year-old homebred Captain Serious (Successful Appeal) gamely preserved a narrow lead in the final sixteenth to score his second career stakes victory Aqueduct’s Sunday feature, the $100,000 Hollie Hughes Stakes for older New York-breds. The race was contested at six furlongs over a sloppy (sealed) racetrack.
Open-length winner last May of Belmont’s Mike Lee Stakes for trainer Mike Hushion, Captain Serious has since placed in three graded contests, but was still looking for that elusive second stakes score. The Hollie Hughes was his inner track debut.
Captain Serious broke from the outside post of six as the 8-5 post time favorite and immediately set his sights on the front. Advancing to challenge fellow Hushion trainee I’m Stoked, who was hustled out of the gate into the top spot, Captain Serious pressed the leader through a first quarter mile in 23.15 and half in 46.34.
Captain Serious managed to secure the lead late in the far turn and angled out four wide into the lane, but the bay’s hard work was far from over. A resurgent I’m Stoked fought on inside drawing even once again, Geaux Mets charged at the rail, while longshot Crafty Dreamer threatened on the stand side.
With a final determined effort, Captain Serious repelled all three challengers and got free late to secure the victory by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 1:10.70 over the sloppy going. The next three finished heads apart as runner-up Crafty Dreamer nipped I’m Stoked in third and Geaux Mets fourth. Completing the order of finish were Big Business and Jeter. John’s Island was an early scratch. [VIDEO]
Winning rider Jose Ortiz said, “We had a perfect post; I knew I’m Stoked was going to go [to the front.] I broke good, sat, and everything went perfect. I was pretty confident in the horse when he got that post. He’s so game, and he was ready for today.” Added Ortiz, who has piloted Captain Serious in every start, “I want to thank Mike Hushion and all of the connections for their support.”
Hushion, winner of six renewals of the Hollie Hughes, commented, “I think [Captain Serious] was waiting on horses once he got the lead. It was good to see him back on the winner’s circle.”
Named for Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, Captain Serious has compiled a strong 10-race resume. His record of four wins, one second and three thirds includes the Mike Lee and Hollie Hughes victories, a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Dwyer and a pair of thirds in the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes and Grade 3 Fall High weight Handicap. His earnings bankroll stands at $320,200
Foaled at Barry Schwartz’s Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, Captain Serious is one of two winners out of Madame Diva, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Mr. Greeley. A half-sister to Deceptive, the dam of $1.1 million earner Mizdirection, Madame Diva was purchased by Buzz Chace, agent, as a yearling at the 2003 Fasig-Tipton New York select sale for $260,000, before going on to become a stakes-placed runner for Hushion and Schwartz.
Madame Diva’s most recent reported foal is a 2-year-old colt by Mizzen Mast. She was sold to El Aventurero Stables for $55,000 at the 2013 Keeneland November sale.
