Joe Carl Popular at the Claim Box

If Joe Carl takes a wrong turn heading to his barn these days, he deserves a pass.

The 8-year-old gelding has been claimed from 10 of his last 12 races, including a stretch of eight in a row from Oct, 11, 2012, through Aug. 11, 2013.

A veritable win machine with 12 victories, 10 seconds and 10 thirds from 50 lifetime starts, the Kentucky-bred son of Jump Start was taken by trainer Kristin Mulhall for $16,000 at Hollywood Park last out, on Nov. 11. Prior to that, dating back to Oct. 11, 2012, Joe Carl was claimed by Dan Hendricks, Jerry Hollendorfer, Bob Hess Jr., Mike Mitchell, Hess again, Hollendorfer again, Doug O’Neill and Jack Carava.

Overall, Joe Carl has been claimed 23 times, nearly 50 percent of his starts.

“He’s a real consistent horse, and when you claim him, you know he’s pretty versatile,”  said Carava, one of the most successful claiming trainers on the circuit.

“If you claim him for 16 (thousand) and run him back for 20, he’s always got a chance. He’s a horse that seems like, typically, if you claim him, the next time he’s in you’re going to be a fairly short price and he’s got a chance.

“I know his form has slipped a bit recently but he’s a nice, hard-trying, consistent horse. He was a really neat horse to be around.”