The Grade II Joe Hernandez Stakes is a $200,000 turf sprint for three-year-olds and upward, run at about 6 1/2 furlongs down the unique hillside turf course. This event honors Santa Anita’s legendary race caller Joe Hernandez and often attracts a mix of speedsters and closers, with the downhill layout favoring horses with tactical speed and balance. The 2025 edition features an overflow field of 15 entries (including also-eligibles), highlighting proven graded performers like Motorious and Gas Me Up, alongside emerging talents. With recent rains in the area, track conditions could play a role, but the forecast suggests firm going.
Venue Location
Santa Anita Park is located at 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California 91007. This iconic track, opened in 1934, boasts a one-mile dirt oval and a signature hillside turf course that starts with a downhill chute, adding excitement to sprints like this one. The venue offers stunning mountain views and can host up to 40,000 fans, with the Joe Hernandez Stakes typically drawing strong crowds during the winter meet.
Post Time: 3:00 PM PT (Race 7 on an 11-race card; first post at 12:00 PM PT, with races approximately every 30 minutes) Live coverage is available on FanDuel TV, TVG, and the Santa Anita website, with simulcast wagering nationwide.
Expected Weather Conditions
Forecast for Arcadia on December 29, 2025, indicates sunny skies with a high of 67-70°F and lows around 48°F. Winds will be light and variable (5-10 mph from the northeast), with no precipitation expected. Humidity around 30%. A high wind warning expires at 3:00 PM PT, but gusts up to 45 mph earlier could affect morning workouts. Overall, comfortable racing weather following recent rains that delayed the meet’s opening.
Track Conditions
The turf course is rated as good to firm for December 29, 2025, with the rail set at 20 feet for the hillside configuration. Recent heavy rainfall (leading to the postponement of opening day to December 28) has softened the ground slightly, but drying conditions and maintenance should yield firm turf by post time. The dirt track is fast. Monitor for any changes, as softer turf could favor front-runners, while firm going benefits closers like Motorious. Temp rail distance is 0 feet.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The field includes 10 main entries and 5 also-eligibles (AEs), with draws if scratches occur. All horses carry weights between 121-125 lbs based on allowances. Below is a detailed breakdown, including post position, recent finishes (last 5 races where available, with dates, tracks, positions, and notes), pedigree insights, and analysis. Morning line (ML) odds reflect value in this competitive group.
Imagination (Post Position 1, ML Odds: 7/2)
Horse Analysis: This 4-year-old colt by Into Mischief out of Magical Feeling has strong downhill form, finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint prep. Inside post aids his stalking style; pedigree suggests speed and stamina. Recent form shows consistency in graded company, but he needs clean break on potentially soft turf.
Recent Finishes:
11/2/25, Del Mar (G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, 5.5f turf-firm): 4th – Good rally.
10/5/25, Santa Anita (G2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, 6f dirt-fast): 2nd – Strong close.
8/23/25, Del Mar (G2 Pat O’Brien, 7f dirt-fast): 3rd – Even effort.
7/4/25, Santa Anita (Allowance, 6f turf-firm): 1st – Wire win.
5/26/25, Santa Anita (G3 Daytona, 6.5f turf-firm): 2nd – Just missed.
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez – Leading rider at Santa Anita (top in wins and earnings); 25% win rate, excels in turf sprints.
Trainer: Bob Baffert – Hall of Famer with multiple Joe Hernandez wins; 28% with turf sprinters. Overall: Contender with class edge.
Zio Jo (Post Position 2, ML Odds: 15/1)
Horse Analysis: 5-year-old gelding by Nyquist out of Senorita Corredora; solid allowance winner but steps up. Pedigree for speed; may press pace from good draw. Recent form mixed, better on dirt.
Recent Finishes: Limited details; last win 10/12/25 Santa Anita allowance (6f turf). Prior graded tries unplaced.
Jockey: Joel Rosario – Hall of Famer with 20% win rate at meet.
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill – High-volume barn (18% wins); good with claimers stepping up. Overall: Longshot value.
Sorrento Sky (Post Position 3, ML Odds: 6/1)
Horse Analysis: Irish-bred 4-year-old colt by Prince of Lir out of Briarfield Lady; European import with strong closing kick. Recent U.S. form includes Breeders’ Cup near-miss; loves downhill. Pedigree for turf sprints.
Recent Finishes:
11/2/25, Del Mar (G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, 5.5f turf-firm): 3rd – Strong rally.
10/5/25, Santa Anita (G2 City of Hope Mile, 1m turf-firm): 5th – Faded late.
8/24/25, Del Mar (Allowance, 5f turf-firm): 1st – Impressive.
7/20/25, Curragh (IRE) (G3, 6f turf-good): 2nd – Good effort abroad.
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli – Turf specialist (21% wins); great on closers.
Trainer: Philip D’Amato – Top turf trainer (28% on grass); multiple entries here. Overall: Live at price.
Flyover (Post Position 4, ML Odds: 30/1)
Horse Analysis: California-bred 4-year-old colt by Om out of First Class Flyer; consistent allowance type but graded jump tough. Pedigree for speed; outside chance if pace melts.
Recent Finishes: Recent allowance places; no graded wins.
Jockey: Tyler Baze – Veteran (15% wins).
Trainer: John W. Sadler – Solid (20% stakes). Overall: Outsider.
Yellow Card (Post Position 5, ML Odds: 12/1)
Horse Analysis: 4-year-old colt by Lost Treasure out of Paris Girl; improving with distance cutback. Pedigree suggests turf affinity.
Recent Finishes: Recent allowance win; graded debut.
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura – Rising star (18% wins).
Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy – Good with juveniles but solid here. Overall: Mid-pack value.
Motorious (Post Position 6, ML Odds: 3/1)
Horse Analysis: 7-year-old gelding by Muhaarar out of Squash; Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint runner-up. Late-runner thrives on firm turf; post allows stalking. Pedigree for European-style sprints. Favorite with course conditions suiting.
Recent Finishes:
11/2/25, Del Mar (G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, 5.5f turf-firm): 2nd – Nose loss.
10/5/25, Santa Anita (G2 Eddie D, 6.5f turf-firm): 1st – Dominant.
8/23/25, Del Mar (G2 Green Flash, 5f turf-firm): 1st – Wire.
7/4/25, Santa Anita (Allowance, 6.5f turf-firm): 2nd – Close.
5/26/25, Santa Anita (G3 Daytona, 6.5f turf-firm): 3rd – Solid.
Jockey: Antonio Fresu – Strong on turf (20% wins).
Trainer: Philip D’Amato – See Sorrento Sky. Overall: Top choice.
Unconquerable Keen (Post Position 7, ML Odds: 8/1)
Horse Analysis: 6-year-old gelding by Clodovil out of Queenie Keen; consistent closer with recent stakes places. Pedigree for turf.
Recent Finishes: Recent G3 place; good form.
Jockey: Abelardo Ayuso – Up-and-coming.
Trainer: Philip D’Amato – Barn hot. Overall: Upset threat.
El Potente (Post Position 8, ML Odds: 5/1)
Horse Analysis: 6-year-old horse by Temple City out of Charmsil; front-runner who won last downhill start. Milers shortening up; soft turf helps. Pedigree for stamina.
Recent Finishes:
11/29/25, Del Mar (G3 Seabiscuit, 1 1/16m turf-firm): 4th – Tired.
10/5/25, Santa Anita (G2 City of Hope, 1m turf-firm): 1st – Upset win.
8/24/25, Del Mar (Allowance, 1m turf-firm): 2nd – Close.
Jockey: Hector I. Berrios – Solid (15% wins).
Trainer: Dean Blacker – Underrated. Overall: Pace factor.
Gas Me Up (Post Position 9, ML Odds: 5/1)
Horse Analysis: 5-year-old gelding by Hard Spun out of Chic Thrill; versatile with speed. Recent win in G3; post requires ground-saving trip. Pedigree for turf routes.
Recent Finishes:
11/29/25, Del Mar (G3 Jimmy Durante, wait no, wrong; stakes win 10/12/25). Recent graded places.
Jockey: Mirco Demuro – International star.
Trainer: Peter Eurton – Consistent (20% wins). Overall: Strong contender.
Sumter (Post Position 10, ML Odds: 20/1)
Horse Analysis: 6-year-old gelding by War Front out of A Little Bit Sassy; class dropper with speed. Wide post hurts.
Recent Finishes: Mixed graded.
Jockey: Flavien Prat – Top rider (30% wins).
Trainer: Richard E. Mandella – Hall of Famer. Overall: Value.
Also Eligibles (draw in if scratches): 11. Awesome Rhythm (20/1) – Longshot; J: Ayuso, T: Garcia. Recent allowance.
12. Schwarzmeier (20/1) – Mid-level; J: Maldonado, T: Eurton.
13. Feel the Magic (30/1) – Outsider; J: Franco, T: Valdez.
14. Son of a Birch (30/1) – Speedy; J: Rispoli, T: Falcone.
15. First Peace (15/1) – Consistent; J: Smith, T: Glatt. Recent stakes place.
