Saratoga Dreamer made a successful transition to the main track Friday, winning the $125,000 Rego Park Stakes by a neck over Regal Minister at Aqueduct.
The chestnut had run on the turf in his two previous outings. Trainer Christophe Clement thought this race for New York bred 3-year-olds was a favorable spot for a surface change and shipped the colt north from his winter training base.
''The horse had trained spectacularly on the dirt in Florida,'' Clement said.
Saratoga Dreamer responded with his second win in three starts, rallying three-wide in the lane to earn his first stakes victory. Irad Ortiz, Jr. was aboard for the six furlongs in 1:12.83 on the fast track.
Saratoga Dreamer, the 3-1 second choice, paid $8.70, $5.10 and $4.20. Regal Minister returned $6.20 and $3.80 while Drama King paid $6.50 to show.
