Henny Hughes heads Tremont

ELMONT, N.Y. - The field assembled for Monday's $100,000 Tremont Stakes at Belmont for juvenile colts did not live up to its potential when the nominations were released two weeks ago.

Impressive first-out winner Travelin Leroy and the one-two finishers in the Flash Stakes, Beacon Shine and Union Course, did not enter, their connections opting to point for the Grade 2, $150,000 Saratoga Special on July 28.

Their absences leave Henny Hughes the probable favorite in the Tremont, run at 5 1/2 furlongs over the main track.

, a son of Hennessy, comes off a visually impressive maiden win at Monmouth Park on June 17. After breaking slowly, Henny Hughes rushed up along the rail, then was taken back to third by Joe Bravo before blowing past the two leaders at the head of the stretch. Henny Hughes ran five furlongs in 59.17 seconds while in hand the final furlong.

"He won easily. I don't know how good a field he beat," trainer Patrick Biancone said. "Joe did a great job relaxing him behind horses. When he was ready, he went. He could be a nice horse. We'll know more Monday."

Village Vicar and Urban Guy, who ran fourth and third behind Henny Hughes that day, ran one-two in a maiden race at Monmouth on Friday.

Gary Stevens will ride Henny Hughes from post 5.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Tremont winner, sends out Short Circuit in this year's Tremont. After finishing fourth in his debut on May 19, Short Circuit came back to win a June 3 maiden race by three lengths with Lasix added. Cornelio Velasquez rides Short Circuit from post 3.

Creve Coeur won his maiden by 1 1/4 lengths at first asking at Delaware Park. Graham Motion trains Creve Coeur and also trained the runner-up, Loconia.

"I thought his race was very impressive. He beat another horse of mine that I liked," Motion said. "This will be a big step up."

Completing the field are Calebe Pond, a first-out maiden winner at Pimlico; Bello Victorio, who won for a claiming price at Delaware; and the unraced Loushe.