Final Chapter looks to build on success

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The addition of blinkers and Lasix helped give Final Chapter a positive result when he won a maiden race for the centenarian owner John Nerud here on Jan. 23.

Thursday, Final Chapter hopes to produce a sequel at Aqueduct when he tops a field of eight set to contest six furlongs in an entry-level allowance/optional claiming race restricted to New York-bred 3-year-olds. The $57,000 race is the co-feature on the eight-race card along with a similar spot for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Final Chapter, trained by Mike Hushion for the now 102-year-old Hall of Famer Nerud, finished a well-beaten third at 30-1 in his debut last November. Final Chapter returned from a nine-week layoff to record a front-running maiden score in the final race on the Jan. 23 card.

Possilicious, who beat Final Chapter when they both debuted in the same race, and Deficit Hawk, who floundered in his second start after flourishing in his debut, top the competition.

KEY CONTENDERS

Final Chapter (Beyers: 81-47)

The 1 1/4-length margin of victory in his maiden win was deceptive as the ridgling was taken in hand inside the sixteenth pole by jockey Manuel Franco.

With Franco serving a suspension, Angel Cruz, the leading apprentice rider at the meet, picks up the mount.

Possilicious (Beyers: 29-73)

Defeated Final Chapter and two other next-out winners when he won his debut sprinting by 3 1/2 lengths on Nov. 21. Came back 23 days later and finished seventh, beaten 26 lengths, when stretched out to a mile and 70 yards in the Damon Runyon Stakes.

“We’re going to blame it on the distance and keep him sprinting,” trainer Kelly Breen said.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past three years, going from routes to sprints, Breen is 8 for 49 with a $1.14 return-on-investment.

Deficit Hawk (Beyers 45-80)

Coming off a good-looking debut win on Jan. 2, Deficit Hawk was sent off the 3-5 favorite in the Rego Park Stakes for New York-bred sprinters. He appeared to be sitting a good trip before fading at the quarter pole. He finished sixth.

Trainer Rick Violette adds blinkers to Deficit Hawk’s equipment and the colt has two bullet works since the race, including a three-furlong blowout in 36.80 seconds over the inner track on Tuesday.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: The last three years, Violette is 4 for 37 with a $0.52 return-on-investment when adding blinkers.

Bullheaded Boy (Last 3 Beyers 64-70-64)

Turns back to sprinting after two modest efforts going long. Won his debut sprinting at Saratoga and has placed in three sprint stakes.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past three years, going from routes to sprints over the inner track, trainer Todd Pletcher is 1 for 19.