Hushion making stakes plans for sprinters

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Mike Hushion is mulling his options for Scarly Charly and Captain Serious, both of whom won sprint races over the weekend at Aqueduct.

On Sunday, Scarly Charly won a high-caliber second-level allowance race, earning a 91 Beyer Speed Figure. He ran six furlongs in 1:11.07 over a sloppy track. A 6-year-old gelding, he was running in blinkers for the first time.

“I do think the blinkers made a difference with him,” Hushion said. “He’s a horse that looks around a lot.”

On Monday, Hushion maintained his mastery of the Hollie Hughes Stakes when Captain Serious recorded a three-quarter-length victory over Crafty Dreamer. He ran six furlongs in 1:10.70 and was assigned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I thought he was going to win by three or four lengths the way he kicked in in the stretch,” said Hushion, who won his sixth Hollie Hughes. “There’s a reason to believe he was waiting on horses. When they got to him, he kicked back in.”

Hushion was not sure what would be next for Captain Serious or Scarly Charly. Aqueduct has the $150,000 Toboggan on Feb. 7 and the $200,000 Tom Fool on March 7. Both are Grade 3 races at six furlongs. There is also the Grade 3, $250,000 General George at Laurel on Feb. 16 at seven furlongs.

“Scarly Charly probably would like to go longer than three-quarters,” Hushion said. “We’re still figuring out Captain Serious.”