02/07/2013 5:56PM

Aqueduct: Saginaw aimed at Hollie Hughes

By David Grening
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Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Saginaw won six stakes in 2012, including the Gravesend in December.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Saginaw, who won 10 races from 14 starts in 2012, could make his 2013 debut next weekend in either the $75,000 Scythe Stakes on Feb. 17 or the $75,000 Hollie Hughes Stakes for New York-breds on Feb. 18, trainer David Jacobson said Thursday.

“I’m aiming for the Hollie Hughes,” Jacobson said.

Saginaw, a 7-year-old gelding by Peruvian, won six stakes in 2012, including the Gravesend on Dec. 15. His bid to become the horse with the most wins in North American in 2012 went awry when he was third, beaten 12 3/4 lengths by Saratoga Snacks in the Alex M. Robb on Dec. 26.

After a brief freshening, Saginaw has put in two slow three-furlong breezes on Jan. 29 and Feb. 2 over Aqueduct’s inner track.

“He’s come back good so far,” Jacobson said. “He’s eating up every oat, giving the exercise rider a hard time which is what he’s notorious for.”