Motorious Returns to Santa Anita Turf in Joe Hernández Stakes

Motorious, who narrowly missed victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, is set to compete in Saturday’s Grade 2 Joe Hernández Stakes at Santa Anita. The 6 1/2-furlong race on the hillside turf course features a field of nine. 

In the Breeders’ Cup, Motorious rallied from 10th to finish second, just behind Starlust. Previously, he won the Green Flash Stakes at Del Mar. Trained by Phil D’Amato and owned by Anthony Fanticola, the 6-year-old gelding has two wins on Santa Anita’s downhill course, including last year’s San Simeon Stakes. Antonio Fresu will again ride Motorious, who starts from post 6 with career earnings of $687,604. 

D’Amato also fields Unconquerable Keen and Sorrento Sky. The pair recently finished first and second in the Stormy Liberal Stakes at Del Mar. Unconquerable Keen, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, seeks his first hillside victory and boasts career earnings of $333,089. Sorrento Sky, a 3-year-old colt, impressed in allowance sprints before finishing fourth in his only previous hillside attempt. 

Air Force Red, last year’s Joe Hernández winner, returns for trainer Leonard Powell. Runner-up in September’s Eddie D Stakes, the 6-year-old ridgling will be ridden by Juan Hernández. 

The Joe Hernández Stakes is the sixth race on Saturday’s 10-race card, with an approximate post time of 5 p.m. EST.