Scary Bob upset candidate in Hughes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - There are enough questions surrounding the top choices in Sunday's $75,000 Hollie Hughes Handicap at Aqueduct so that the race may just be ripe for an outsider.

, who has run only once in the last year, could very well fit the bill. Papua, the two-time defending Hollie Hughes winner, heads the seven-horse field in the six-furlong race for New York-breds.

Scary Bob is 2 for 2 against New York-breds and won the Maria's Mon Stakes against open company to complete his 2-year-old season in 2003. At 3, Scary Bob finished third in the Capossela Stakes and second in the Best Turn before going to the sidelines for nine months with an injury.

On Dec. 18, Scary Bob returned in a second-level allowance, where he stumbled at the break and finished sixth. He has since undergone a myectomy to repair an ulcer on his palate and has trained extremely well since.

"He's had a couple of nice works for the race," said Tom Bush, noting that a six-furlong drill in 1:12.94 on Feb. 12 "was as good as a horse could work. I'm hoping he's fit enough to give a good account of himself."

Mike Luzzi rides Scary Bob from post 5 at 116 pounds. Luzzi rode longshot winner Brushme On ($27.40) for Bush on Friday.

, the 123-pound highweight, has gone winless in nine starts since taking the 2004 Hollie Hughes. Despite getting a hot pace in last month's Paumonok Handicap, Papua finished a well-beaten fifth. Trainer Mike Hushion is hoping a change from Shaun Bridgmohan to Richard Migliore makes a difference, though he noted that Bridgmohan did nothing wrong.

began his career with three convincing wins against New York-breds. He has won two races against open company in his last three starts. Show Boot pressed a hot pace and ran very gamely when he won a second-level allowance race on Feb. 6. Trainer Tim Hills said he is "hoping that it's not too quick back for him," and believes the horse is not as speed-crazy as he was a year ago.

Having drawn the rail, Show Boot may have to use his speed and could get hooked in a duel with Stonewood or Introspect, or both.

Impeachthepro is an 8-year-old gelding who has been running in mid-level claiming races lately. On Feb. 2, his first start in five weeks, Impeachthepro finished second behind the solid claimer Here's Zealous. Impeachthepro could work out a nice trip from the outside post under Rafael Bejarano.

Citizenship, another who will benefit if the pace is swift, completes the field.