Build to Suit looking to sweep pot in Hollie Hughes

by Najja Thompson

Following an impressive 6 ¼-length allowance win on January 26, Build to Suit will look to earn his first career stakes win in the $100,000 Hollie Hughes for New York-breds 4-years-old and up on a special President's Day card on Monday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

A 5-year-old ridgling sired by Dominus and in the care of conditioner Chad Brown, Build to Suit won three of six starts in his 3-year-old campaign.

Returning to the races on January 26 off a 15-month layoff, Build to Suit bested a field of eight while recording a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure. The chestnut will now make his stakes debut for owners Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence.

"He's been training great out of this last race coming off the layoff so we're hopeful he's in the right spot," said Whit Beckman, assistant to Brown. "Since his return he's been solid, so we're optimistic he'll perform well."

With meet leading rider Manny Franco aboard, Build to Suit will leave from post 2.

Runaway Lute, trained by Gary Contessa for Harold Lerner and Nehoc Stables, will make his return to stakes company. The 5-year-old son of Midnight Lute won two races from five starts in 2018, including a victory in the Hudson on October 20. Following a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight on November 22 and a sixth-place running in the Gravesend, he rebounded to finish second in an optional-claiming race on January 27.

"He's been looking fit and returning to the good form he had in the Hudson, so hopefully we can get back to that effort," said Contessa. "His last race, he nearly won, and we think he can build off that which warrants him a chance in here."

Runaway Lute will leave from post 8 with Junior Alvarado in the irons.

Trainer John Toscano, Jr. will saddle Sudden Surprise for owner Bran Jam Stable. The 6-year-old gelding and son of Giant Surprise will make his first start of the year in the Hollie Hughes. With five wins at the distance from nine starts, he will look to win his first race since capturing a New York-bred claiming race on May 19 at Belmont Park.

Drawing the rail, Sudden Surprise will be ridden by Mike Luzzi.

Also entered is Tribecca, for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and owners Red Storm Stable and Gerard Stuchbury; Bavaro, for trainer Linda Rice and All In The Family Racing; Bluegrass Express, for trainer Richard Vega and owners Wire To Wire Stable and Robert Brittingham; Eye Luv Lulu, for trainer Jason Servis and owner Michael Dubb; and Celtic Chaos for Zilla Racing Stables and trainer Brad Cox.

Cross entered for Monday's Hollie Hughes and Saturday's Haynesfield is Syndergaard for trainer John Terranova and owners Eric Fein,Christopher McKenna, Harris Fein, Guri Singh, and Jerry Walia; and Honor Up for Saratoga Seven Racing Partners and trainer Michelle Nevin.

First post time for Monday's 9-race card at Aqueduct is 12:50 p.m.