Ms Headley worth a gamble in first try on turf

Despite not having raced on turf, Ms Headley is worth considering at what should be a decent price in the fifth race at Gulfstream Park West on Wednesday. The five-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies drew nine horses for turf. Marching In will only run if the race is moved to the main track.

Anyone playing the Rainbow 6, which begins on race 3 with a $362,758 carryover, will need to go deep in the $35,000 starter race that carries a $35,000 claiming option.

Nobody was surprised when Ms Headley won her debut at Churchill Downs on May 1. After all, the Florida-bred filly is trained by Wesley Ward, who is among the best in the business at having a 2-year-old ready to roll first time out. She faded after forcing the pace in the $150,000 Astoria in her second start, which came at Belmont on June 6, and went on the shelf until Sept. 27, when she finished fourth as the favorite in a $35,000 starter/optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park.

It is easy to imagine her taking a step forward in her second start back, and the past five years Ward has a 20 percent strike rate with horses running on turf the first time.

Adding to her appeal is that she is by first-crop sire The Big Beast, who is off to an excellent start. The Grade 1-winning sprinter has six debut winners from 26 starters, plus the son of Yes It’s True is 2 for 5 when it comes to his progeny running on turf the first time.

Ms Headley is out of a mare who never ran on grass, but the three-time winner did win two races on synthetic surfaces. Both of Ms Headley’s siblings are winners with Angels N Devilgods winning four races on Tapeta at Golden Gate.

Ms Headley gave the impression she may thrive with the surface switch when she worked a sharp half-mile on turf at Palm Meadows on Oct. 25.

She will break from post 7 with Eduardo Nunez up.

Mrs. Maisel will be among the favorites.

The Maryland-bred daughter of Will Take Charge is coming off a sharp win for trainer Terri Pompay in a $50,000 maiden claimer at Gulfstream on Sept. 27. Acting on behalf of My Purple Haze Stables, Pompay claimed her out of a runner-up finish in a $35,000 maiden claimer that was washed off the turf and moved to the Gulfstream main track on Aug. 30.

In her victory, Mrs. Maisel came from a stalking position with Paco Lopez riding. Lopez will be aboard Wednesday when she breaks from the rail.

Free the Beast is one of the six debut winners by The Big Beast.

She was forwardly placed in her 2 1/2-length victory going five furlongs in a $35,000 maiden claimer at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 3.

It was a profitable day for Carlos Munoz, who owns, trains, and bred Free the Beast.