Santa Anita: San Onofre keeps improving for Karen Headley

ARCADIA, Calif. – San Onofre has come a long way since trainer Karen Headley first touted him on Twitter by referring to him as “Baby Kona Gold.”

It was fall 2012, before San Onofre had a recorded workout. It seemed over-optimistic @K_Headley would tweet a photo suggesting an unraced 2-year-old was the next coming of the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner trained by Bruce Headley, her father.

San Onofre is no Kona Gold. Not yet, at least. But Thursday at Santa Anita, the gelding can accomplish something Kona Gold was unable to do until later in his career – win four consecutive races.

After winning a maiden race at Hollywood Park by more than 10 lengths, San Onofre can become the first three-time winner at the Santa Anita meet when he starts favored in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer. The competition for San Onofre will soon get tougher.

“That’s the thing – so is he,” Headley said. “Each race, he gets more and more mature. Every race and every work, he goes forward.”

San Onofre and jockey Mike Smith meet five rivals Thursday, including minor stakes winner Explain, dropper Heir of Storm, and Santa Anita dirt specialist Mel’s Game.

Having scored two decisive wins this meet against California-breds and open company, with sharp workouts in the interim, San Onofre appears to be the most probable winner on the card. He worked a bullet five furlongs Sunday morning.

“After he worked 59-flat, we could hardly keep his feet on the ground,” Headley said. “So you’re thinking – should he have gone 58?”

Karen Headley began running horses under her name last year, and a fast work by one of her trainees is expected. After all, her father has been working horses fast his entire training career. She proudly acknowledges her mentor.

“I learned everything from my dad,” she said. “He learned everything from everybody else, and then he taught me.”

It is a family affair. San Onofre is owned by Matson Racing, the stable name of Karen’s mother, Aase Headley. San Onofre is a 4-year-old gelding by multiple Grade 2 winner Surf Cat, who was trained by Bruce Headley.

San Onofre’s exercise rider is Lisa Hanson.

“She is one of the reasons he has been so successful,” Karen Headley said. “I know good horses train themselves, but he is one you have to train because he has so much energy.”

Sunday morning, San Onofre worked in company with Mangita, a filly trained by Bruce Headley.

San Onofre is personable, smart, and alert. He pokes his head from his stall and nuzzles visitors. Mangita is shy and finicky. Hold out a carrot, and she acts like she does not care.

She will Thursday, because it is a big day for her, too. Mangita starts in a one-mile turf race for California-bred fillies and mares. Runner-up twice recently at the level, Mangita is expected to start favored under jockey Aaron Gryder.

A win by Mangita in race 4, and San Onofre in race 7, would be a milestone. It would be the first time Karen and Bruce Headley won races on the same day.

“That would be cool,” Karen Headley said.