OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Veteran New York-bred My Boy Tate will seek an eighth career victory at Aqueduct Racetrack when he bursts from the gate Saturday in search of a third triumph in the $100,000 Hollie Hughes.
Trained, bred and co-owned by Michelle Nevin with Little Red Feather Racing, My Boy Tate is one of seven horses to have conquered multiple editions of the six-furlong event for New York-breds 4-years-old and up.
The 8-year-old Boys At Tosconova gelding scored non-consecutive wins in the Hollie Hughes, starting with a one-length victory in 2018 which produced a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure. My Boy Tate repeated the accomplishment last year, saving ground around the far turn and launching a winning rally in deep stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths. A victory in this year’s race would make My Boy Tate the second horse to win three runnings of the Hollie Hughes, joining Papua [2003-05].
My Boy Tate’s resume includes six stakes victories against his Empire State counterparts, five of which took place at the Big A. In addition to his Hollie Hughes scores, My Boy Tate has captured the Say Florida Sandy [2018], the NYSSS Thunder Rumble [2019], and the Haynesfield [2021] at the Big A. My Boy Tate also captured the Leon Reed Memorial last year at Finger Lakes.
The dark bay enters the Hollie Hughes in search of redemption after being disqualified from first and placed fourth in the seven-furlong Say Florida Sandy on January 8, at Aqueduct.
Since then, My Boy Tate has made regular appearances on the work tab, most recently breezing an easy half-mile in 51.57 seconds on February 9 over the Belmont dirt training track.
“He’s the same old fella in the morning,” Nevin said. “He’s always been a hard working horse and hopefully he can continue on like that for a little bit.”
Billy Koch of Little Red Feather Racing spoke volumes of Nevin’s job managing the seasoned veteran’s career.
“He’s been amazing, he’s an amazing animal. The credit really goes to Michelle. She’s done a great job managing him, keeping him sound, fresh and happy,” Koch said. “He’s not easy to train. I hear amazing stories from Michelle about his antics when he’s not on the track. She’s done a terrific job of keeping him going. It’s a testament of how great a trainer she really is. We have great admiration and respect for what she’s been able to do. Every time he runs, it’s exciting for all of us.”
Koch expressed a sense of pride in campaigning My Boy Tate, who he said has taken the partners on a fun ride.
“For our partnership, he’s just been the king for the past several years. He’s really just a neat horse,” Koch said. “He’s not the biggest horse in the world and not the fastest in the world, but he has a giant heart and he’s really tough as he proved last time before he got disqualified when he came in between horses. It’s a blessing and all of the Little Red Feather partners that are a part of My Boy Tate. They just love him to death.”
Manny Franco, who piloted My Boy Tate to victory in his second Hollie Hughes win, has the call from post 4.
Trainer Rudy Rodriguez will saddle Wudda U Think Now, who arrives off a 10 1/2-length optional-claiming romp against open company on January 16. The five-time winning son of Fast Anna earned a 104 Beyer travelling six furlongs over the Big A main track, defeating stakes-placed Secret Rules and Competitive Saint.
“He looks like he’s in top form and hopefully he can keep getting better,” said Rodriguez, who saddled Drama King to victory in the 2016 Hollie Hughes. “It’s a little quick coming back, but he’s training well right now.”
Owned by Stuart Grant’s The Elkstone Group, Wudda U Think Now was bred by Mina Equivest. Trevor McCarthy will return to the irons from post 2.
Windylea Farm’s Jemography will make his seasonal debut for trainer Mark Hennig. The 6-year-old son of Big Brown, bred by Golden Goose Enterprises, captured the George W. Barker in August at Finger Lakes in his lone stakes coup. Jorge Vargas, Jr. will ride from post 3.
Completing the field are Kaz’s Beach post 1, Kendrick Carmouche, South Africa post 5, Eric Cancel and Runningwscissors post 6, Andre Worrie.
The Hollie Hughes honors the late Hall of Fame trainer, who captured six editions of the American Grand National. A conditioner of both flat and steeplechase runners, Hughes saddled George Smith to victory in the 1916 Kentucky Derby.
The Hollie Hughes is slated as Race 8 on Saturday’s nine-race card. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.
NYRA Press Office
Photo: My Boy Tate wins the 2021 Haynesfield at Aqueduct/Chelsea Durand
