Dramatic win by King Henny

Henny Hughes started the New Year where he left off in 2012 when King Henny scored a Group 3 victory in the Big Drama Stakes (1400m) at Delta Downs on Saturday.

The race lived up to its name with a dramatic finish in Louisiana.  Mr. Bandini’s Band finished first but was disqualified and placed fourth by officials in the $100,000 sprint.

King Henny (3c Henny Hughes – Queens Carousel by Afternoon Deelites) crossed the line a half-length second but was promoted after stewards ruled Mr. Bandini’s Band had impeded Hero Force and Heaven’s Runway when the trio were racing at close quarters in the straight.

King Henny is prepared by champion trainer Steve Asmussen for his father Keith and Erv Woolsey.  The colt is from a sister to Gulfstream Park G2 winner Deeliteful Irving and cost $32,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale.

He has won three races from five starts including the LR Clever Trevor Stakes (1400m) at Remington Park in November.

Henny Hughes stood his first season at Rangview Stud in WA last year after transferring from Darley NSW.  The move coincided with a rush of two year-old results headed by G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Beholder.

At year’s end, Harlan’s Holiday broke the North American 2YO sires’ record with earnings of $2.95 million while Henny Hughes finished a clear-cut second on $2.33 million.

The tremendous run of success helped Rangeview Stud owners Rob and Jody Gray clinch a deal to reverse shuttle Henny Hughes to Walmac Farm in Kentucky for the 2013 northern breeding season.

– Karl Patterson