A powerful subject of 9 is entered on this yr’s Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes down the hillside turf course Saturday, Dec. 28 at Santa Anita.
The sector is led by Motorious, who simply missed pulling off the upset by a neck final month within the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash. Motorious is tied for probably the most profession wins on this subject, seven, with each Irideo and Unconquerable Eager, the previous having proven a liking for the course when victorious within the Clocker’s Nook Stakes in January and the latter coming off a win within the Stormy Liberal Stakes 4 weeks in the past. Air Pressure Purple is confirmed on the stage following a runner-up effort on the finish of September within the Grade 2 California Crown Eddie D Stakes offered by FanDuel, whereas Sorrento Sky led late within the Stormy Libera earlier than arising a half-length brief on the finish behind Unconquerable Eager. One other pair of attainable contenders are Gaslight Dancer and Central Dispatch, each getting into the race following robust wins in comparable dash races on turf. Code Duello gained the Winter Championship Stakes at Los Alamitos two weeks in the past on filth and hopes to run as properly on the grass. Sumter gained the Lure Stakes in October however completed 11th of 12 within the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap 4 weeks in the past and hopes to return to high type reducing again from a path to a dash.
Prime contenders:
Irideo will get slight desire as he’s more likely to go to publish at larger odds than Motorious, who comes out of the more durable Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash. Irideo has been operating in allowance stage races, nonetheless, he has run properly sufficient in his final two races to win this yr’s Joe Hernandez Stakes, significantly if he repeats his effort two races in the past at six furlongs on the Santa Anita turf course, profitable by a half-length and incomes a career-best 109 Equibase Pace Determine. Hector Berrios rode Irideo for the primary time in practically a yr in that race after which was aboard for his subsequent begin on Nov. 16 when Irideo rallied from third and battled all the way down to the wire arising two heads in need of the victory. This previous January, Irideo gained the Clocker’s Nook Stakes at this 6 ½-furlong journey down the hillside turf at Santa Anita with a 108 determine, the identical race the place Motorious completed second in final yr with a 100 determine. As such, Irideo seems to have the identical win likelihood as Motorious however affords higher worth.
Motorious can be favored by bettors off his close to upset within the Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash on Nov. 2, the place he was a neck shy of posting the 12-1 upset in an enormous effort which earned a 109 Equibase Pace Determine. One race previous to that on the identical five-furlong journey because the Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash, Motorious gained the Inexperienced Flash Handicap with a visually spectacular rally from seventh with an eighth of a mile to run. He equaled his 113 career-best determine within the Inexperienced Flash, which he additionally earned profitable the 2023 San Simeon Stakes down this hillside turf course. Just like Irideo, Motorious strikes from a five-furlong race to a 6 ½-furlong downhill turf race and in addition has prior high type on the journey within the beforehand talked about 2023 San Simeon Stakes. Jockey Antonio Fresu rode Motorious in each of his two latest races and rides again. In his present type there could be little doubt Motorious can win.
Unconquerable Eager is one other high turf sprinter in glorious type, having gained the Stormy Liberal Stakes on the primary day of December. He earned the identical 109 determine in that win as Motorious earned when crushed a neck within the Breeders’ Cup and jockey Umberto Rispoli rides him as soon as extra. Unconquerable Eager additionally gained the 2023 Stormy Liberal Stakes, incomes a career-best 113 determine which equals the most effective effort Motorious has put forth up to now. If there may be one query mark, it’s that Unconquerable Eager has run twice at this 6 ½-furlong downhill journey and completed seventh each instances. Apart from that, and significantly based mostly on his most up-to-date effort, Unconquerable Eager have to be taken very critically as a contender on this subject.
Honorable point out goes to Air Pressure Purple and to Sorrento Sky. Air Pressure Purple has gained 4 of eight races on the grass at Santa Anita and completed second in two others. He completed second within the Eddie D Stakes at this distance when final seen close to the tip of September, incomes a 110 determine which might be aggressive with the highest contenders if repeated. Then again, the rail could be disadvantageous at this distance due to a proper hand flip shortly after the beginning. Noting that Air Pressure Purple completed second by a head from the rail within the Siren Lure Stakes within the spring of 2023, maybe it is probably not a drawback to him. Sorrento Sky will get the advantageous outdoors publish for this distance. His two most up-to-date races have been the most effective of his profession, first when profitable down the hillside course in October with a 107-figure effort, then when arising a half-length shy of Unconquerable Eager within the Stormy Liberal Stakes after making the lead early within the stretch. If he repeats that final effort, he may definitely fill out the exacta as soon as once more.
The remainder of the sphere, with their finest Equibase Pace Figures, is Central Dispatch (100), Code Duello (108), Gaslight Dancer (107) and Sumter (114).
Win contenders, in desire/likelihood order:
Irideo
Motorious
Unconquerable Eager
