Big Business Turns Back for Hollie Hughes

Entering off a rousing victory in the Alex M. Robb Stakes on New Year's Eve at 1 1/16 miles, Gary Barber's New York-bred Big Business will cut back to six furlongs in Sunday's $100,000 Hollie Hughes Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.
 

Trained by David Jacobson, Big Business received a Beyer Speed Figure of 98 for his Alex M. Robb performance on the Big A' s inner dirt track, his first win on the surface in three attempts. The Hollie Hughes will be his first start at a distance of six furlongs since September 2012 at Del Mar Racetrack, which he won by a head.
 

"He's going into this race at the top of his game," said Jacobson. "Coming off the distance race and going three-quarters is the biggest concern we have, but hopefully there will be enough pace in there and he'll be fine."
 

In pursuit of his second career stakes victory, Big Business will leave from post position 6 as the 9-5 morning-line favorite with jockey Fernando Jara aboard.

The Michael Hushion-trained pair of Captain Serious and I'm Stoked appears to be Big Business' main competition.

Captain Serious, a 4-year-old gelding for owner Barry K. Schwartz, finished third in his last start on a sloppy track in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap on November 27. The son of Successful Appeal has two wins from three starts at a distance of six furlongs but will be making his first career start on the Aqueduct inner track.

Five-year-old front runner I'm Stoked, who is 4-for-7 at the Big A and 6-of-9 at the distance, returns to stakes competition following an optional claiming victory at Aqueduct on December 15.

"Both are doing well," said Hushion. "I expect I'm Stoked to be on or very near the lead, but they are each ready to run."

Captain Serious sits at 2-1 as the morning-line second choice with jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons, while I'm Stoked is 7-2 with Manuel Franco.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens will saddle John's Island for owners John Confort and Albert Weis. A 4-year-old Posse gelding, he enters following an allowance victory at Aqueduct on December 27.

John's Island will be ridden by Angel Arroyo from post position 2 and is 10-1 on the morning line.

Supporters of crosstown baseball rivals will also be able to get in on the action as local favorites Jeter and Geaux Mets enter the field for J and M Racing Stables and Gold Square respectively.

Jeter sits at 20-1 on the morning line with Angel Cruz in the irons from post 5 and Geaux Mets 8-1 with jockey Irad Ortiz from post 1.

Rounding out the field is Crafty Dreamer for James Iselin and Robert Kaufman.

Source: NYRA