Hot team looks to chalk up another win
ARCADIA, Calif. – Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux may be the biggest fan of Head South, who starts in an optional claimer for sprinters at Santa Anita on Thursday.
“He’s been like a lottery ticket,” Desormeaux said.
Head South has won three of his last four starts, with Desormeaux riding in each race. The success rate could easily increase in Thursday’s fourth race, which is run at 6 1/2 furlongs and drew a field of seven.
KEY CONTENDERS
Head South (Last 3 Beyers: 85-80-84)
◗ Head South was claimed for $50,000 in February 2014 by current owner BG Stables and trainer Hector Palma. Just this year, Head South has earned $113,240 from his three wins in four starts.
◗ During that span, Head South has raced near the pace before moving toward the front in the stretch. The wins have come at distances ranging from 5 1/2 to seven furlongs.
“He’s versatile,” Desormeaux said. “He aims to please.”
◗ The loss in that span was a second by three lengths to Frensham in an optional claimer for California-breds on March 1. Desormeaux said Head South lost a shoe in that race. A 4-year-old gelding, Head South has since won twice, including against open company in an optional claimer at seven furlongs April 19.
◗ On Thursday, Head South will start from the rail, which is not a major concern for Desormeaux.
“I’m not dreading the rail,” Desormeaux said. “I’ll play the break.”
Midnight Transfer (Last 3 Beyers: 84-90-86)
◗ Midnight Transfer was seventh behind I’ll Have Another in the 2012 Santa Anita Derby and has one win in 11 starts since then. Midnight Transfer was fifth in an optional claimer on turf April 17, the day he was claimed by trainer Ron Ellis.
◗ Thursday’s race is Midnight Transfer’s first race for Ellis, who has a solid record with horses starting for him for the first time.
◗ Midnight Transfer is one of three runners in the field eligible to be claimed for $62,500, along with Seeking the Sherif and Chief Lion.
Caminetto (Last 3 Beyers: 86-54-93)
◗ Plagued by setbacks through his career, the 6-year-old Caminetto has won two of six starts. He was second in an optional claimer here April 25 in his first start since July.
◗ Trained by Bob Baffert, Caminetto has drawn post 6 and is expected to be near the front under jockey Martin Garcia.