Darley shuttler Hard Spun has began 2012 like he means business in the North American second-season sires’ premiership.  The son of Danzig has already sired 10 individual winners this year headed by Midnight Transfer.

Midnight Transfer (3c Hard Spun – French Satin by French Deputy) graduated to a black-type victory in the LR San Pedro Stakes (1300m) at Santa Anita on Sunday.  The Carla Gaines trained youngster had blown away maiden rivals on the opening day of Santa Anita’s winter meeting.

Midnight Transfer reeled in long-time leader Got Even (Stephen Got Even) to win the San Pedro by a head.  “I just let him find his stride,” jockey Joel Rosario said.  “He finished really strong and I think he can run long.  Actually, I think he can do anything.”

Hard Spun got him from a half-sister to Lion Heart and he cost $80,000 at the 2011 Keeneland April 2YO Sale.  The colt’s next assignment on the Kentucky Derby trail will be the G2 San Felipe Stakes (1700m) on March 10

Both sides of Midnight Transfer’s family have come close to Kentucky Derby glory.  Both Lion Heart (2004) and Hard Spun (2007) were second home in their editions of the Run for the Roses.

Santa Anita’s Sunday card also saw Hard Spun filly Bella’s Fantasy win her maiden over 1600m.  She is a half-sister to the stakes winners South Bay Cove and Hello Maggie May.  Zo Impressive made it a Sunday treble for Hard Spun in a Gulfstream Park maiden.  She is a half-sister to G1 winner Zaftig.

Hard Spun’s tally of 10 individual winners so far this year doesn’t include the stakes performers Lady Clara and Sweet Seventeen who filled the minors in the LR Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct on January 7.  And Hard Spun filly Inny Minnie increased the black-type count to three when placed in the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

Darley will hope Hard Spun follows the lead of Bernardini who was a comprehensive winner of the North American second-season title last year.

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