Gulfstream: Nathan's H Q moves to Farro's barn

Nathan’s H Q, runner-up in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight in his 2011 finale, has a new home, after he was transferred from trainer Clyde Martin to Patricia Farro’s barn over the weekend. Martin not only trained but had also ridden Nathan’s H Q almost exclusively until the Fall Highweight, when he was replaced by Rajiv Maragh and finished second following an eventful trip. He is coming off a seventh-place finish behind Apriority in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector.

Nathan’s H Q, who is owned by Thomas Carey, breezed for the first time since changing barns on Thursday, going an easy half mile in 48.41 seconds.

“We’ve had him about four or five days now,” said Mike Farro, deputizing for his wife, Patricia, who is in Philadelphia overseeing the 30 horse outfit she has stabled at Parx. “The owner told us he just wanted to make a change. He’s a great big, good-looking horse and obviously a nice addition to pick up at this point in the meet.”

Farro said he and his wife are unsure when or where Nathan’s H Q might run next.

“He bled a little after his last start,” said Farro. “Right now we’re not exactly sure what we’ll do with him next. We’re thinking about an allowance race in early February or maybe even taking him north to Laurel, although more than likely he’ll stay here.”

Other workers of note here Thursday prepping for future stakes engagements included Boys At Tosconova (five furlongs in 1:03.89), whose next goal is the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap on March 10; his stablemate Tiz The Argument (six furlongs in 1:15.01), expected to make her 2012 debut in the Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff, and Romacaca (six furlongs in 1:14.68), who is eyeing the Florida Sunshine Millions Turf.

Stakes-caliber allowance

Along with the $100,000 Kitten’s Joy, Saturday’s 11-race card also features a $60,000 allowance ran on the grass which drew graded stakes-tested turf specialists such as Crimson China, Center Divider, Derby Kitten, and Mobilizer.

The ninth race is also intriguing, a six-furlong maiden special weight dash for 3-year-olds, topped by the speedy Nonno’s Boy. The field also includes a pair of first-time starters from trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn and a son of Street Sense, $350,000 yearling purchase, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.