Runners get stamina test at Ferndale

Although it’s basically a starter allowance race for $12,500 claimers, the Humboldt County Marathon, which is the final race on Sunday’s closing-day card at the Humboldt County Fair, is always a special event because of the race’s distance.

The 1 5/8-mile race sees horse cross the finish line four times before the race is over.

In recent years, San Francisco Bay Area-based trainers Jeff Bonde, Armando Lage, and John Martin have won the race.

This year, Steve Sherman is coming to the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale, Calif., with likely favorite Camisado, a late-running 7-year-old gelding with 60 career starts.

“They didn’t really have a race here for him,” Sherman said from his barn at Golden Gate Fields after shipping Camisado north at 6 a.m. Thursday.

“I’m a little concerned about the turns, but he’s a plodder and should be able to handle them,” Sherman said. “With his style, the distance shouldn’t bother him.”

Although Camisado is winless this year, he has finished second in four of seven starts and also has a third-place finish.

Sherman plans to saddle Camisado and has signed up Robert Boyce, a four-time winner of the marathon, to ride.

“People have been after me to come up there for some time,” Sherman said. “It’s the only tack in California that I haven’t been to, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Come Back Native, who won a $3,200 claimer at Pleasanton two races back after building a 12-length lead, drew the rail, but he could have a pace challenger in Hollywood Park-based Atticus Pomponius. One Shot, claimed from a win for $8,000 at Hollywood Park two races back by Bill Delia, also has some speed.

Quarter Moon and Jehovah Jireh, both stalking types, round out the field.