Deficit Hawk looking stronger for rescheduled Rego Park

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Two things have happened since the $125,000 Rego Park Stakes was originally drawn that have trainer Rick Violette feeling even better about his chances with Deficit Hawk going into Friday’s rescheduled stakes at Aqueduct.

First, Lehigh Five – a morning workmate of Deficit Hawk – won his debut by 10 3/4 lengths at Aqueduct. Second, Violette was able to get another workout into Deficit Hawk, a three-furlong blowout in 36.28 seconds last Sunday. Violette said Deficit Hawk had missed some training because of bad weather.

The Rego Park, six-furlong race for New York-bred 3-year-olds, originally was carded with six horses when it was to be held last Saturday, but it was postponed due to inclement weather. The race picked up an additional runner in Agent Van Alden, who won a $15,000 maiden claimer at Parx in November.

The top threats to Deficit Hawk include Saratoga Dreamer, who will race on dirt for the first time; Regal Minister, who returns to sprinting after a failed try around two turns in the Damon Runyon; and Chasing Bubbles, winner of the New York Stallion Stakes on Dec. 28.

The Rego Park is slated as race 7 on an eight-race card, with first post scheduled for 1:20 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS

Deficit Hawk (Beyer: 80)

◗ In his only start, Deficit Hawk was rated along the inside in fourth position. Jockey Manny Franco tipped Deficit Hawk four wide in the stretch, and he outfinished Possessed, a second-time starter, to win by a length.

“It looked like he could get swallowed up around the turn, but he kept going,” Violette said. “That was good to see. He had shown us some talent in the morning.”

◗ He loses Franco, who rides two-time winner Regal Minister, and picks up Kendrick Carmouche.

Saratoga Dreamer (Beyers: 75-39)

◗ He won his debut Aug. 20 against New York-breds sprinting on turf at Saratoga. Twenty-four days later, he finished last as the favorite in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes, also on turf, at Woodbine.

“He lost that race behind the gate,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “He acted up behind the gate, was extremely anxious. It was a waste of a race.”

◗ With the postponement, Saratoga Dreamer got in a bullet half-mile work in 47.30 seconds over the inner track last Sunday.

◗ He has two siblings who won on dirt.

◗ He gets Lasix for the first time.

Regal Minister (Last 3 Beyers: 51-79-80)

◗ He won two sprints for New York-breds, including the Notebook Stakes, both on the lead. He figures to get plenty of early pressure Friday.

Chasing Bubbles (Last 3 Beyers: 73-66-15)

◗ He proved to be a need-the-lead type in winning a statebred $40,000 maiden claimer and a division of the New York Stallion Stakes. He is the co-highweight at 122 pounds along with Regal Minister. Both are conceding six pounds to the rest of the field.