NYRA/Coglianese Photo

Bavaro's giant performance wins Hollie Hughes

by Keith McCalmont

All In The Family Racing's Bavaro picked up his second career stakes win, capturing Monday's $100,000 Hollie Hughes, a six-furlong sprint for New York-breds 4-years-old and upward, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Linda Rice, Bavaro made his first start for new connections after being claimed on January 11 at the Big A for $25,000 out of a dominant front-running win.

With regular rider Junior Alvarado up for the grey's return to stakes company, Bavaro, away slowly as the 7-5 mutuel favorite, settled in third position outside of second-choice Eye Luv Lulu as Sudden Surprise rattled off the opening quarter-mile in a quick 22.65 seconds under pressure from Tribecca.

Bavaro advanced outside rivals into the turn and engaged the leaders, easily taking command late in the turn to mark the half-mile in 46.22.

Celtic Chaos launched a late bid from the back of the pack, powering past a stubborn Tribecca and Eye Luv Lulu to gain second, but there was no reeling in Bavaro, who scored a length victory in 1:11.78 on the fast main track.

Eye Luv Lulu held third with Tribecca, Sudden Surprise and Bluegrass Express completing the order of finish. Build to Suit, Syndergaard, Runaway Lute and Honor Up were scratched.

Alvarado said his charge handled the change of plan in a professional manner following the slow break.

"We were hoping to go to the lead. He's been winning on the lead. I thought that was his best shot. He kind of missed the break a little bit there, so I had to go plan B," said Alvarado. "Good thing he didn't try to run off right away. I let him settle in, put him on the outside; then after that, from the half-mile pole, he pretty much took me all the way around."

Bavaro won the Great White Way in 2016 at Aqueduct in just his second career start, and the ultra-consistent grey showed a strong turn of foot on Monday to double his stakes tally while providing his owners with their first stakes win.

"I was pretty excited about running him here today off the claim. He had been training really well coming into the race," said Rice. "I was a bit concerned there was a lot of speed in here. He didn't break that sharp today, but Junior [Alvarado] rode him beautifully so we're very excited. This was the first stakes win for All In The Family Racing, so I'm very happy for them as well."

Bred in New York by Hidden Lake Farm, LLC, Gunston Hall Farm and Anthony Grey, the 5-year-old son of Freud banked $55,000 in victory while improving his record to 9-1-2 from 20 career starts. He paid $4.90.

Live racing returns Thursday at the Big A with an eight-race card. First post time is 12:50 p.m.