My Boy Tate golden in Hollie Hughes (NYB) victory

by Brian Bohl

My Boy Tate ran down Eye Luv Lulu in deep stretch and outkicked his challenger by a length to capture the 40th running of the $100,000 Hollie Hughes for New York-bred 4-year-olds and up on Monday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Owned by Little Red Feather Racing and Michelle Nevin, My Boy Tate capped the Presidents Day card by stalking Eye Luv Lulu's fractions of 22.45 seconds for the opening quarter-mile with the half in 45.63 on the muddy main track.

Out of the turn, jockey Dylan Davis put in a challenge from the outside, going three wide to overtake Tribecca and Eye Luv Lulu, positioned near the rail, completing the six-furlong sprint in 1:10.23.

My Boy Tate won his fifth consecutive start, staying perfect in stakes competition after winning the Say Florida Sandy on January 13 at the Big A. The 4-year-old Boys At Tosconova gelding improved to 5-1-1 in eight career starts and is 5-for-5 at distances of less than a mile.

"He didn't break as sharp as I thought he would break," said Nevin, who also breeds and trains My Boy Tate. "I thought we'd be a little bit closer, but we didn't plan on being on the pace today. But it all worked out. You never know when the gates open.

"I think [Davis] did an excellent job," she added. "It came a little closer than it has been in his previous races. But I think Dylan did a really smart move by not rushing early. I would have hated to see him get caught in a speed duel and fall apart at the end. He really gave him a great ride."

The 1-2 favorite, My Boy Tate paid $3.10 on a $2 win wager. He improved his career bankroll to $252,300.

"When he broke, the track is kind of heavy, so it took him a couple of strides to get running," Davis said. "Also, I wanted to come out running and there was a lot of speed in here the way it unfolded, but he had no problem getting back into the pace. He did everything great."

Davis, who won six races on Sunday, added three on the Monday card, including a stakes victory for the second straight day, to improve his meet-leading total to 33.

"I did the best I could. I'm happy to come out with three winners," Davis said. "It's a great day again following a six-win day. It's incredible."

Eye Luv Lulu was the runner-up for the second time in his last three stakes starts, outkicking Tribecca by 2 ¼ lengths.

Saratoga Giro, Foreset, Celtic Chaos, Bass River Road and Gypsum Johnny completed the order of finish. Candid Desire was scratched.