A First for Headley?

Trainer Bruce Headley has dominated the Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup Handicap in recent years.

His horses have won the Grade II, which carries a $200,000 purse, three of the last four years. Headley scored with Son Of A Pistol in 1998 and Kona Gold the last two years.

Neither of those horses will be running in the 20th renewal of the Potrero Grande this afternoon at Santa Anita, but Headley can win the race again and accomplish a first.

Kalookan Queen, who is trained by Headley for owner Luis Asistio, will try to become the first female to win the 61/2-furlong race. Very Subtle, who won the 1987 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, was second to Gulch in the ‘Grande in 1988.

A 6-year-old Lost Code mare, Kalookan Queen has been worse than third only once in 19 starts, winning eight times. Five of her victories have come at Santa Anita, including her first Grade I win when she took the Santa Monica Handicap on Jan. 26.

Alex Solis, the meet’s leading rider, will be trying for his third consecutive win in the Potrero Grande as he takes his usual place atop Kalookan Queen, who, most recently, was second to Above Perfection in the Las Flores Handicap on Feb. 23.

Other contenders include Romanzo, who has won two in a row for trainer Dean Greenman; Elaborate, who will be adding blinkers in hopes of ending a six-race losing streak; Alyzig, the runner-up at 19-1 to Snow Ridge in the San Carlos Handicap four weeks ago; Ceeband and Reba’s Gold.

Race of the day: The ninth is a wide-open turf allowance at nine furlongs. Contention runs very deep in the field of 11.

Who’s hot: Post position three. In dirt races under a mile at Santa Anita, the post had accounted, through Friday, for 47 wins, more than any other spot in the starting gate.

Who’s not: Angel Medina. The trainer was zero for his first 39 at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Richillini, Siward, Lucky Mudd and Fire Brigade in the fifth, singling Taormina in the sixth, using Great White Father, Valid Redress and Rock Opera in the seventh.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 1/189. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $3.60/$1,114.20. Total money bet: $1,164.