Santa Anita notes: Midnight Transfer tops San Carlos probables

The San Carlos over seven furlongs has a projected field of eight led by Midnight Transfer, winner of an optional claimer last month in his first start in nine months; Sahara Sky, who won the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes last month; and The Lumber Guy, who was second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Other expected starters are Canonize, Capital Account, Comma to the Top, Drill, and Justin Philip.

Ex-jockey Almeida to saddle first runners

Former jockey G.F. Almeida will have his first runners as a trainer Friday when Cosset starts in a $32,000 claimer on the hillside turf course and Unstopper Topper starts in an optional claimer over 1 1/16 miles.

A native of Brazil, Almeida, 57, has ridden sparingly in recent years while working for trainers such as Hector Palma and Carla Gaines. Palma was the previous trainer of Cosset and Unstopper Topper. Almeida said Wednesday that he was helping Palma train those runners.

Almeida has three horses in his care and is hoping to expand the stable. Becoming a trainer fulfills a long-standing goal, he said.

“I hope I can get a win and someone will give me horses,” he said. “When you win, everyone will look for you.”

Travesura sidelined with pelvis injury

Travesura, winner of the Grade 3 Miesque Stakes at Hollywood Park in November, has been taken out of training with a pelvis injury, trainer Jeff Mullins said.

Travesura was expected to start in the Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the hillside turf course last Saturday, but was withdrawn from consideration when the injury was detected last week.

A winner of 2 of 5 starts and $95,850, Travesura was 10th in the Blue Norther Stakes on the main track on Jan. 1.

Mullins said that Travesura will not need surgery.