Diaz, Regal Kitten put streaks on line

Diaz heads the list of sharp horses running in the fourth race at Gulfstream Park on Thursday. One of the horses standing in his way of getting a hat trick in the $16,000 optional-claiming race on turf is Regal Kitten, who seeks his fifth straight win in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up who have started for a claiming price of $12,500 or less.

Bama Bound is also on top of his game, with back-to-back wins over sloppy tracks. He will run only if the race gets moved to the main track, however.

Diaz, who drew post 7 in the 10-horse field, came from midpack to win his last two turf starts. He rallied to edge Vitium by a neck going 1 3/8 miles in a $16,000 starter handicap at Tampa Bay Downs on March 25, and he won by the same margin going 1 1/16 miles in a $25,000 optional claimer/$16,000 starter race at Gulfstream on May 3.

There should be an honest pace for the Tamara Levy-trained 5-year-old to work with. If he does get up in time with Tyler Gaffalione riding, it won’t be the first hat trick he completed in the past year. His previous streak began June 11 and ended with a nose win over Amigo in a one-mile, $16,000 starter race at Gulfstream on Aug. 16.

Regal Kitten is stepping up in class after winning his fourth straight race on the Gulfstream turf course for trainer Angel Rodriguez. This will be his first start for trainer Rohan Crichton, who claimed him on behalf of Autoban Racing Stables Inc. for $10,000 on May 6.

Regal Kitten has good tactical speed and should get a nice trip from a stalking position if he breaks alertly from post 9 with apprentice jockey Nicky Figueroa probably riding. According to his agent, Walter Blum, Figueroa was lucky to come away with just bruises after going down in a spill in the seventh race Sunday.

“They took him to the hospital after the race, and luckily all the tests were negative,” Blum said. “He’s pretty bruised up, but I think he’ll be okay to ride.”

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KEY CONTENDERS

Diaz, by Azamour
Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-79

◗ The 5-year-old Irish-bred is capable of stringing solid races together and should be rolling late with the leading rider retaining the mount.

Regal Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 83-80-77

◗ His only older sibling, full brother Crown the Kitten, is a stakes winner with $273,520 in earnings, and with rising Beyer Speed Figures in his last five races, this 4-year-old may not have reached his peak.

Rock Eagle, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 84-83-74

◗ He’s been claimed out of his last three starts, with the latest being a win going 1 1/16 miles in a $16,000 claiming race April 28.

◗ Over the past five years, his new trainer, Christos Gatis, has a respectable 16 percent strike rate with newly claimed horses.

◗ He does his best running late; the race should set up for him if they all go.

Thinkinquality, by Exclusive Quality
Last 3 Beyers: 81-82-72

◗ He’s won four of his nine starts on turf at Gulfstream, likes the one-mile distance, and could fire a big shot coming off the bench for trainer Sandra Silvka.