Captain Serious scores as favorite in Hollie Hughes

Captain Serious splashed to the wire first in Sunday’s $100,000 Hollie Hughes, giving his connections – owner-breeder Barry K. Schwartz and trainer Mike Hushion – their fifth victory together in the six-furlong dash for New York-breds.

Captain Serious, who won his first three starts last spring capped by the Mike Lee in stakes-record time, broke alertly from his outside post and tracked his stablemate, I’m Stoked, through a modest opening quarter-mile in 23.15 seconds.

Captain Serious struck the front shortly before going a half-mile in 46.34 while kept well out in the sloppy track by Jose Ortiz, and persevered to the wire to win by three-quarters of a length over the 19-1 shot Crafty Dreamer, who was up late for second in a photo over I’m Stoked and Geaux Mets. Big Business and Jeter completed the order of finish.

“We had a perfect post,” said Ortiz, who was winning his third race on the card. “I knew I’m Stoked was going to go. I broke good, sat, and everything went perfect. I was pretty confident in the horse when he got that post. He’s so game, and he was ready for today. I want to thank Mike Hushion and all of the connections for their support.”

Captain Serious paid $5.30 as the favorite and ran the six furlongs in 1:10.70 seconds.

Schwartz and Hushion teamed up to win three straight renewals of the Hollie Hughes with Papua in 2003-05, as well as the 1998 edition with Thepromonroe.

Hushion also captured the 2010 Hollie Hughes with Readthefootnotes for West Point Thorougbbreds.