Talent, trip point out Deficit Hawk in Rego Park

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though it’s hard to argue with those who believe that Deficit Hawk had a perfect trip when he won his debut here three weeks ago, it’s equally difficult to think that Deficit Hawk might not get a similar setup in Saturday’s inaugural $125,000 Rego Park Stakes at Aqueduct.

The Rego Park, for New York-bred 3-year-olds at six furlongs, drew a field of six. It will go as race 3 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

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Deficit Hawk, a son of Midnight Lute trained by Rick Violette for Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables and Bill Lawrence, will take on two-time winners Regal Minister and Chasing Bubbles. Breakin the Fever and Florida shippers Drama King and Saratoga Dreamer complete the field.

A coastal storm is forecast for Friday night into Saturday, with the potential for rain or snow, possibly creating an off track for Saturday’s card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Deficit Hawk (Beyer: 80)

◗ One of five debut winners Violette sent out from Nov. 8 through Jan. 2 at Aqueduct.

◗ In his race, Deficit Hawk rated along the inside while 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.

◗ Breaking from post 5 in a six-horse field, Deficit Hawk should be able to work out a nice stalking trip behind Chasing Bubbles, Breakin the Fever, and Regal Minister.

Saratoga Dreamer (Beyers: 75-39)

◗ The wild card in the field, this son of Elusive Quality tries dirt for the first time.

◗ 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 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.”

◗ Clement said Saratoga Dreamer has trained well on dirt but “the only way to find out if he likes it is to run him.”

◗ He has two siblings who won on dirt.

◗ He gets Lasix for the first time.

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

◗ He cuts back to sprinting after a two-turn try in the Damon Runyon Stakes, where he finished fifth, 12 3/4 lengths behind the winner, Good Luck Gus.

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

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.